Budget

Sharon Spring voters approve 2024-25 school budget, elect BOE member

On May 21, the Sharon Springs Central School District voters approved the district’s $11,285,624 budget proposal for the 2024-25 school year. The budget proposition passed 95 to 5. The voters also accepted the bus purchase proposal 88 to 13.

The community elected Helen Roberts to a five-year term on the Board of Education. She will begin serving her term July 1.

In line with our overarching vision, we strive to ensure that every cent of our budget enhances educational opportunities for all students. Accordingly, we continue to shape a budget that supports our commitment to robust core academic programs, valuable electives, and stimulating extracurricular activities, while also being financially prudent. The district remains dedicated to providing a wide array of developmental experiences for our students, which includes sustaining support for field trips and extracurriculars like athletics, and leadership programs such as FBLA and FFA. We are also committed to vocational education, with students participating in BOCES programs. Moreover, through partnerships with SUNY Cobleskill, SUNY Morrisville, and Siena College, the district offers nine in-house College in the High School classes. We are dedicated to supporting every SSCS student in finding, nurturing, and pursuing an educational path that prepares them for future success.

SSCS is committed to seeking opportunities for collaboration and cost-sharing with other districts wherever feasible, including in areas like transportation and special education programs. The district already partners with neighboring districts on initiatives such as professional development for teachers, regional summer school, spring sports, boys’ varsity soccer, collective purchasing, and health insurance.

We are immensely grateful for your unwavering support of our small school with a big heart. Your commitment and generosity have been instrumental in fostering a nurturing and enriching environment for our students. It is your deep engagement that truly makes our school a special place to learn and grow. Thank you for being such an integral part of our community and for your continuous efforts to help our school thrive. We look forward to continuing this journey with you, working hand in hand to inspire and educate the future leaders of tomorrow.

Again, we thank our entire community for your continued support!

Thomas Yorke
Superintendent/K-12 Building Principal

2024-25 Budget Details

 

General Information About Voting on SSCS School Budget

On the third Tuesday of each May, residents across New York State go to the polls to vote on the annual school district budget and to elect members of the Board of Education.

In early May, Sharon Springs residents can expect to receive in the mail a copy of the district’s newsletter that provides details about the budget that residents will vote on. If you do not receive a copy of the newsletter, please contact the district at (518) 284-2266 to request that one be mailed to you. Budget details are also available on the district website and in the local newspapers.

Voter Eligibility

You are eligible to vote if you are a United States citizen, 18 years or older, and a resident of the Sharon Springs Central School District for at least 30 days prior to the annual vote date. Residents wishing to register may do so at the school’s voter registration day or through the county Board of Elections.

Absentee Ballots

Absentee ballots are available to registered residents who are unable to vote in person for reasons of illness or disability or who will be out of town on the date of the vote. Applications for absentee ballots are available in the Superintendent’s Office by calling (518) 284-2267.

Understanding NY State’s Property Tax Levy Cap

Understanding NY State’s Gap Elimination Adjustment (GEA)

The Gap Elimination Adjustment (GEA) law was first introduced for the 2010-11 fiscal year by then-Governor Paterson as a way to help close New York’s then $10 billion budget deficit. Under the legislation, a portion of the funding shortfall at the state level is divided among all school districts throughout the state and reflected as a reduction in school district state aid. The GEA is a negative number, money that is deducted from the aid originally due to the district. Since 2009-10, the state has held back more than $1.7 million in aid to Sharon Springs through the GEA.