The following letter was emailed to all Monroe-Woodbury families.
April 30, 2025
Dear Monroe-Woodbury families and staff,
The annual school budget vote will take place on Tuesday, May 20, 2025. This year’s proposed budget, which was unanimously adopted by the Monroe-Woodbury Board of Education on April 22, 2025, focuses resources on safety and security in our schools, maintaining programs that meet the needs of our students, and providing resources and professional development for staff that align with New York State Standards.
When at the polls, voters will see the following information on the ballot:
Proposition 1: General Fund Budget
The proposed budget of $236,759,257 requires a 1.50 percent increase ($133,342,960) in the District's tax levy. This year, M-W is allowed a maximum levy of $136,033,529, or 3.55 percent.
This marks the sixth 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 70 percent of the expense.
Proposition 2: Capital Project Bond Proposition
The District is seeking the authority to spend up to $16.6 million on capital improvements, which include adding air conditioning to three elementary schools, enclosing open classrooms at North Main Elementary, and upgrading electric systems in other buildings to support air conditioning.
The improvements would have NO TAX IMPACT due to the use of capital reserve funds ($5.3 million) and NYS building aid.
Residents will also be asked to elect three Monroe-Woodbury Board of Education Trustees. Candidates will be elected to serve a term of three (3) years beginning on July 1, 2025, and ending June 30, 2028.
The candidates are (listed in ballot order):
Dulaya Santikul
Jeffery Reynolds (incumbent)
Suzanne Donahue (incumbent)
Public Budget Hearing - May 7
A public hearing regarding the proposed budget will be held at Monroe-Woodbury Middle School, 199 Dunderberg Road, Central Valley, on Wednesday, May 7, at 6 p.m. All Monroe-Woodbury residents are invited to attend and share comments and questions related to the proposed budget.
Budget-related Crusader Chat - submit questions via the online form by May 9
A budget-related Crusader Chat will be recorded and released to the community no later than Friday, May 16. Community members are encouraged to submit budget-related questions by May 9 via the online submission form. If only a few questions are received, District leaders will address the questions during the Public Budget Hearing on May 7, in lieu of recording a Crusader Chat.
Polls will be open from 6 a.m. - 9 p.m. on Tuesday, May 20, at Central Valley Elementary School, 45 Route 32, Central Valley, NY. Please visit the budget page on the district website for general information about budget creation and voting. Presentations by District leaders and the Superintendent’s Budget Recommendation may also be found on this page. A budget brochure with information related to the proposed budget will be mailed to district residents immediately following the Budget Hearing.
Please reach out to me or Mr. Cahill, Assistant Superintendent for Business and Management Services, at 845-460-6200 with any questions.
Warm regards,
Tracy Norman, Ed.D.
Superintendent of Schools