The following message was emailed to families on April 22:
Budget Vote - May 19, 2026
The annual school budget vote will be held on Tuesday, May 19, 2026. This year’s proposed budget, unanimously adopted by the Monroe-Woodbury Board of Education on April 21, prioritizes the student experience through initiatives such as a new pathway to graduation and expanded extracurricular opportunities, while maintaining all current programs and services. Additional priorities include continued high-quality professional development for staff and enhanced community outreach efforts.
When at the polls, voters will see the following information on the ballot:
Proposition 1: Proposed General Fund Budget: $245,052,094 for the fiscal year of July 1, 2026 - June 30, 2027
The proposed budget of $245,052,094 requires a 1.95 percent increase ($135,943,148) in the District’s tax levy. This year, M-W is allowed a maximum levy of $137,162,587, or 2.86 percent.
This marks the seventh consecutive year the levy is below the maximum allowable limit, as defined by New York’s tax levy cap legislation.
The proposed budget includes bus purchases as part of the District’s replacement plan. State aid would cover approximately 71 percent of the expense.
Proposition 2: Sapphire Elementary School Roof Replacement
The District is seeking the authority to spend up to $2.6 million to replace Sapphire Elementary’s roof, which has reached the end of its useful life.
This project would have no tax impact due to the use of $2,051,000 from the District’s Capital Reserve Fund and $549,000 from the NYS EXCEL (Expanding Our Children’s Education and Learning) program, a one-time capital funding initiative established in 2006 to support school construction and infrastructure improvements. This project would utilize the District’s remaining EXCEL allocation.
Board of Education Election
Additionally, residents will elect four Monroe-Woodbury Board of Education Trustees. Three candidates will be elected to serve three-year terms beginning July 1, 2026, and ending June 30, 2029. One candidate will be elected to serve a term of one year and six weeks, beginning May 20, 2026, and ending June 30, 2027.
The candidates (listed in ballot order) are:
Jennifer McGowan
Bryan Bellino
Berny Vega
Kiesha Tillman
Monique Officer
Budget-related Crusader Chat & Question Submission online form by May 4
A budget-related virtual Crusader Chat will be held on Tuesday, May 5, from 12 noon to 1 p.m. Community members who wish to participate are asked to complete the online form with their name and email address. A participation link will be shared on May 4. The Chat will be recorded and posted on the District website.
Community members are also encouraged to submit budget-related questions by May 4 using the same online form. If limited questions are received and participation is low, District leaders will address submitted questions during the Budget Public Hearing on May 6 in place of the Crusader Chat.
Budget Vote Day/More Information
Polls will be open from 6 a.m. - 9 p.m. on Tuesday, May 19, at Central Valley Elementary School, 45 Route 32, Central Valley, NY. Please visit the budget page on the District website for information about the budget development process and voter registration. Presentations by District leaders and the Superintendent’s Budget Recommendation may also be found on this page. A budget brochure will be mailed to District residents immediately following the Public Budget Hearing.
Please reach out to me or Mr. Patrick Cahill, Assistant Superintendent for Business and Management Services, at 845-460-6200 with any budget-related questions.
Warm regards,
Tracy Norman, Ed.D.
Superintendent of Schools