2025-26 Proposed Budget | Budget Q & A | Budget Documents & Links | Budget Vote & Hearing Information | Message from the Business Office | On the Ballot
Budget Vote
Tuesday, May 20
Polls will be open from 1 to 8 p.m. in the Harrisville Central School Library, 14371 Pirate Lane in Harrisville.
Budget Hearing
Monday, May 12
The annual budget hearing will take place at 5:30 p.m. in the Harrisville Central School Library, 14371 Pirate Lane in Harrisville.
Budget Documents & Links
- Administrative Compensation Information
- District Financial Transparency Report
- Exemption Impact Report – Lewis County
- Exemption Impact Report – St. Lawrence County
- NYS School Academic Report Card
- Property Tax Report Card
- Proposed Budget Summary 2025-2026
- STAR Exemption Savings Report
Budget Q & A
What would the proposed tax levy increase mean for my tax bill?
The proposed budget would increase the tax levy—the total amount of property taxes raised by the district—by 3.95%, or $182,036. Residents’ tax bills are determined by several factors that are out of the district’s control, including assessment levels and equalization rates. Equalization rates are determined by the state’s Office of Real Property Services to better reflect property’s actual market value.
How is the tax levy different from the tax rate?
The tax levy is the total amount of money a school district raises in taxes each year from all property owners in the district. Tax rates are calculated by dividing the total amount of the levy by the total taxable assessed value in a community. Tax rates are affected by changes in both municipal assessments and state equalization rates, which are determined in the summer. The tax rate is used to calculate each individual property tax bill.
Why is there a library funding proposition on the school district ballot?
New York State education law allows libraries to place a funding proposition on school district ballots. It requires school districts, at the libraries’ requests, to levy and collect taxes for libraries. It is important to note that libraries are separate legal entities from the school district, with their own funding and budgets. The school district does not endorse, control, or recommend any aspect of how the libraries spend money.
If voters approve the proposition to increase the annual tax collected by $20,000, the school district would annually levy and collect taxes in the new total amount of $85,000 for the Harrisville Free Library, beginning in the 2025-26 fiscal year. The amount authorized for library services is listed as a separate line on residents’ tax bills.
2025-26 Proposed Budget
On Tuesday, May 20, Harrisville Central School District residents will vote on a $11,531,744 proposed spending plan for the 2025-26 school year that bolsters the district’s commitment to providing students with a quality education and the skills necessary to succeed.
“Throughout the budget development process, it was our collective goal to ensure a student-focused approach,” said Superintendent Rob Finster. “Despite ongoing economic headwinds, we believe this proposed budget balances the needs of both our students and our overall community.”
The budget proposal calls for a spending reduction of $243,135, or -2.06%, compared to the current year’s budget. Much of the decrease can be attributed to overestimation of revenues related to declining enrollment and anticipated savings from health insurance policy adjustments.
The district’s budget development also highlighted the need to proactively reduce labor costs to maintain financial stability. The proposed budget includes a reduction of five full-time equivalent (FTE) positions. This will be achieved through strategic attrition, including anticipated staff retirements and resignations, as well as a limited number of staffing layoffs.
“Although these were undeniably difficult decisions, we are confident this plan is necessary to ensure the district’s long-term financial health,” said Finster.
District leaders are proposing a tax levy increase of $182,036, or 3.95%, which is above the district’s calculated tax levy limit, or “cap,” of 2.49%, that is required by the state. This means a supermajority of voters (60% or more) is required for budget approval.
“We felt it was necessary to exceed the district’s tax levy limit so we could raise enough revenue to maintain the rigorous academic and extracurricular programs our school community expects,” said Finster. “Our priority is to preserve programs in the most cost-effective way possible, while remaining mindful of taxpayers.”
While final assessment figures are not available until August, it is projected that homeowners with an assessment of $100,000 would see their annual taxes increase by approximately $36, without the STAR exemption.
In addition to voting on the budget proposal, residents will elect one member to the board of education and vote on a $339,998 proposition to purchase one 66-passenger school bus and one wheelchair accessible school bus.
Residents will also decide on a proposition to increase the annual tax collected by the district for the Harrisville Free Library by $20,000 for a total of $85,000 for general support and maintenance. Harrisville Central School District does not endorse, control or recommend any aspect of how the library spends money as it is a separate legal entity.
Polls will be open from 1 to 8 p.m. in the Harrisville Central School Library, 14371 Pirate Lane, Harrisville. Residents are also encouraged to attend the district’s annual public hearing on Monday, May 12, at 5:30 p.m. in the Harrisville Central School Library.
More information about the 2025-26 proposed budget is also available on the Budget & Finance web page or by calling the District Office at (315) 543-2707.
A Message from the Business Office
Dear Harrisville Community Members:
We believe that our 2025-26 budget proposal reflects a fiscally responsible and value-centered approach to meeting the needs of all students and aligning with our district’s priorities.
Each year, we are challenged to design a budget that manages programs and staffing, utilizes an appropriate amount of fund balance and reserves and determines the property taxes to levy. With the state budget being late this year, and to account for a continuous decrease in enrollment that impacts state aid, we have conservatively estimated state aid revenues based on the executive budget proposal.
My commitment as a school business administrator is to encourage efficiency and optimize resources through effective budgeting, ensuring the district’s long-term financial health. As I grow in this role, it is important to me that the community has confidence in my ability to act in the best interest of our taxpayers while prioritizing the needs of our students.
Your feedback is important to me. Please feel free to contact me by phone at (315) 543-2707, ext. 8, or email at afrost@hcsk12.org.
Sincerely,
Amy Frost, District Treasurer
On The Ballot
Proposition 1
2025-26 Budget Resolution
Shall the Board of Education be authorized to expend monies in the proposed 2025-2026 budget in the amount of $11,531,744?
Proposition 2
Two School Buses
Shall the Board of Education be authorized to expend monies in the proposed 2025-2026 budget in the amount of $11,531,744? Shall the Board of Education be authorized to purchase one (1) 66-passenger school bus at an estimated maximum cost of $163,451 and one (1) wheelchair accessible school bus at an estimated maximum cost of $176,547, all at an estimated maximum aggregate cost of $339,998, less trade-in value, if any, and that such costs, or so much thereof as may be necessary, shall be raised by the levy of a tax to be collected in annual installments; and, in anticipation of such tax, debt obligations of the school district as may be necessary not to exceed $339,998 shall be issued, or the school district may enter into an installment purchase contract if the Board of Education determines that it is in the best interest of the school district to finance the purchase in that method?
Proposition 3
Harrisville Free Library
Shall the Board of Education levy and collect an annual tax year after year, separate and apart from the annual school district budget, in the amount of $20,000 (in addition to the current annual appropriation of $65,000, for a total of $85,000) which shall be paid to the Harrisville Free Library for the support and maintenance of the library, with this appropriated amount to be the annual appropriation until thereafter modified by a future vote of the electors of the Harrisville Central School District?
Board of Education Election
Candidates are running for one vacant seat on the Harrisville Board of Education, which carries a five-year term commencing May 21, 2025, and runs through June 30, 2030.
Candidates
- Jessica Frerichs
- Mike Jackson
- Brian Schrodt
- Write In Candidate(s)