On Tuesday, May 16, voters in the Liberty Central School District approved, 232-50, the district’s $66.3 budget proposal for the 2023-24 school year.

“We appreciate the residents’ continued support of what we are accomplishing here at the  Liberty Central School District,” Superintendent Dr. Patrick Sullivan said. “With that support, we can continue to give our students the future-forward education they deserve.”

The $66,296,362 budget funds all current student programs and services, while decreasing the tax levy by $1 million. It enhances the nationally recognized social emotional learning program Leader in Me and expands Science 21 and the HMH ELA and mathematics programs to help provide a consistent curriculum across grades. The budget also will establish an in-house newcomer program for English language learners, add two permanent substitute positions to each school building and an LPN position to be shared across two buildings, bring the IT director position in-house and add vape detectors to the middle and high school bathrooms. Funds will also be used to enhance safety and security.

Voters also elected three board of education members. Eugene S. Thalmann, with 210 votes,  was elected and sworn-in on May 16 to fill the unexpired term of Anthony Sinacore as well as a full three-year term that will expire on June 30, 2026. Serving three-year terms starting July 1 will be Maureen Stabak, who was re-elected to the board with 238 votes, and Erin Abplanalp, who was elected for her first term on the board, with 197 votes.

Original story:

On Tuesday, May 16, Liberty Central School District residents will vote on a $66.3 million budget proposal for the 2023-24 school year that enhances curriculum and improves programs while decreasing the tax levy by $1 million, or 5.33%.

This is the fifth consecutive year there is no proposed tax levy increase. Voters will also elect three Board of Education candidates.

The proposed $66,296,362 budget would fund all current student programs and services. It would enhance the nationally recognized social emotional learning  program Leader in Me and expand Science 21 and the HMH ELA and mathematics programs, to help provide a consistent curriculum across grades. The budget also proposes to establish an in-house newcomer program for English language learners, add two permanent substitute positions to each school building, an LPN position to be shared across two buildings, bring  the IT director position in-house and add vape detectors to the middle and high school bathrooms. The proposal also includes funds to enhance safety and security.

The proposal calls for a $8,753,105 million increase in spending, or 15.21%. A significant state aid increase would enable the district to cover the growth in contractual and transportation costs, as well as begin to address the state-required mascot change, without any further increase to the proposed tax levy amount. A portion of the increased state aid would also be used to address K-8 learning loss that occurred during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“With this budget, we aim to provide our students a consistent curriculum, needed supports and continued opportunities to empower themselves so that they can contribute and thrive in a diverse community, in alignment with our five-year strategic plan” Superintendent Dr. Patrick Sullivan said. 

Voting will take place between noon and 9 p.m. May 16 in the high school gymnasium.  A budget hearing will be at 6:30 p.m. May 2 in the Liberty High School Auditorium.

Snapshot

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• Total Budget: $66,296,362
• Proposed Budget Change: $$8,753,105 (+15.21)
• Proposed School Tax Levy:  $17,760,162
• School Tax Levy Change:  -$1 million or -5.33%

REVENUES

• Property Taxes: $17,760,162
• State Aid: $46,800,000
• Fund Balance: $0
• Reserves: $0
• Other: $1,736,200
• Total: $66,296,362

EXPENDITURES

• General Support: $6,496,344
• Instruction: $33,847,916
• Pupil Transportation: $7,364,374
• Employee Benefits: $15,304,528
• Debt Service $2,923,200
• Interfund Transfers: $360,000
• Total: $66,296,362

COMPONENTS

• Administrative Component: $6,769,810
• Program Component: $51,677,444
• Capital Component: $7,849,108

School Board

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Voters will elect three board of education members. Three candidates submitted nominating petitions and are on the ballot. The candidates, in the order they appear on the ballot, are: Erin Abplanalp, Maureen Stabak and Eugene S. Thalmann. The candidate with the most votes, excluding incumbent Maureen Stabak, will serve a three-plus year term beginning May 16, 2023, running through June 30, 2026. The next two top vote-getters will serve three-year terms running July 1, 2023, through June 30, 2026.

Voting information

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Voters must be 18 years old,  a U.S. citizen and a district resident for at least 30 days and be registered to vote at your county board of elections, which will automatically register you to vote at the district. The last day to register with the district is May 11.

Qualified voters may request an absentee ballot application by contacting District Clerk Tania DeFrank at tdefrank@LibertyK12.org or 845-292-6990. May 9 is the last day for absentee applications to be received for those who will be mailing a completed ballot. May 15 is the last day for absentee ballot applications to be received in person and the completed ballot delivered by hand. Absentee ballots must be received by the district clerk by 5 p.m. May 16, 2023, to be counted.