SULLIVAN COUNTY — On Tuesday, voters of the seven school districts around Sullivan County went to have their voice heard on the proposed budgets, proposals and board of education candidates. Below are the results, all of which saw the approval of their budgets.

FALLSBURG

The Fallsburg Central School District voted (100-25) to approve a budget of  $65,206,794. Residents voted to elect three members of the Board of Education, each for a three-year term: Fiorella Muscia (97 votes), Regina McKenny-Sneed (111 votes), and Wasima Shahid (84 votes).

Dr. Ivan Katz said, “I would like to thank the school community for approving our 2025-26 budget! The Board of Education and Administration worked hard to put a budget together that balances what our students need with what taxpayers can afford.”

LIBERTY

Liberty Central School District residents voted (658-131) to approve the budget of $68,508,362 for the 2025-2026 school year.

Superintendent Dr. Patrick Sullivan said, “We thank the residents of Liberty Central School District for their continued support so we can empower our students to contribute and thrive in a diverse community by pursuing their potential.”

Voters also approved (616-167) a capital project costing $7,494,246. The project will add air conditioning to the elementary school and make upgrades to the boiler and electrical systems. Dr. Sullivan said, “We are glad that this project was approved so that we can help keep our students cool in a more cost-effective manner by working this into our ongoing project.”

Three board of education members were elected to three-year terms: John L. Nichols (761 votes), Timothy Hamblin (759 votes), and Matthew Dewitt (762 votes).

TRI-VALLEY

Tri-Valley Central School District voted (280-137) to approve the budget of $38,070,773 for the 2025-2026 school year. This reflects a 2.14 percent increase over last year’s budget and will allow the district to advance the district’s academic programs, extracurricular activities, fine and performing arts, and athletics. There were three candidates elected to the Board of Education for a three-year term: George A. Dean, Travis Hartman and Jerry C. Stevens.

SULLIVAN WEST

Voters in the Sullivan West Central School District approved the proposed budget for the 2025-2026 school year with 342 votes in favor and 96 against. 

Additionally, the election for three unopposed school board seats saw Rose Joyce-Turner receive 337 votes, Michael Ellmauer receive 356 votes, and Jackie Rutledge receive 343 votes.

MONTICELLO

Voters of the Monticello Central School District approved the district’s budget for the 2025-26 school year, approved the creation of a $10 million capital reserve fund, and elected three members to the Board of Education.

The results below are unofficial; final results will be certified and shared at the district’s May 21 Board of Education meeting:

Proposition 1: Annual School Budget 371 yes, 186 no

Proposition 2: Establishment of a $10 million capital reserve fund 392 yes, 159 no

Board of Education Election:

Seat 1

Melinda Gwiozdowski:  Elected with 310 votes, Roberto Bravo Colon: 181 votes

Seat 2: Ashley Rielly: Elected with 381 votes

Seat 3: Victoria LaRusso: elected with 363 votes

The $103,522,576 budget approved by voters preserves core programs and adds several key positions while remaining below the allowable tax cap. 

Less than 50 percent of the budget is funded by the tax levy. The capital reserve fund approved by voters will be established over a period of time using excess fund balance, and could be used, with voter approval, to offset the cost of large-scale capital improvements.

“Our administrative team worked diligently to present a budget that supports student achievement, with a long-term commitment to financial stability,” Superintendent Dr. Matthew Evans said. “I thank everyone who came out today to vote, and appreciate our community’s support.”

ROCKLAND

On May 20, residents of the newly formed Rockland Central School District approved, 339-206, the district’s first budget with 62 percent of the voters supporting the budget.

The new district was formed following the voters’ approval of the merger of the Livingston Manor and Roscoe central school districts in December.

The $32,134,980 budget builds on current programs and offers expanded programming for all grade levels utilizing existing staff.

The budget includes more than 40 additional electives for middle and high school students, many with the potential for college credit, two transitional classrooms, more targeted PK-6 academic intervention services (AIS) in math and English Language Arts (ELA) and more robust daily specials rotation at the elementary level, as well as expanded extracurricular clubs and activities for all students PK-12. 

“We thank the voters for their support of this plan that will provide our students with expanded educational opportunities while providing fiscal responsibility,” Superintendent John Evans said.

Voters also approved, 360-181, a proposal to establish a $30 million buildings and facilities capital reserve fund over 15 years. 

The fund will be/would have been used to help defray all or part of the cost of future improvements, additions, construction or reconstruction of school buildings.

ELDRED

The $20,348,487 budget, which proposed a 2.61 percent increase over last year’s adopted budget, passed on Tuesday 172 yes to 49 no. Along with the budget, Proposition #2 – authorizing the Board of Education to levy taxes in the amount of $49,500 annually and pay that sum to the Board of Trustees of the Sunshine Hall Free Library – passed 187 yes to 33 no.

Additionally, Beth Deyermond won a seat on the Eldred Board of Education for a four-year term, running unopposed with 177 votes.