The Liberty Central School District Board of Education has approved a $68.5 million budget proposal for the 2025-26 school year that aims to maintain current programs and services without increasing the tax levy. This marks the seventh consecutive year without a proposed tax levy increase.
The budget, which was approved on Tuesday, April 22, proposes a 0.70% increase in spending, amounting to $474,068. The proposed budget fully funds current student programs and services.
The proposed budget is set to be voted on by district residents on Tuesday, May 20, from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. in the high school media center.
In anticipation of the vote, the district will host a series of budget information sessions open to the public:
* May 5: Budget presentation to the Liberty Town Board, 6:30 p.m., Senior Citizens Center at 119 N. Main St.
* May 6: Budget hearing, 6 p.m., High School Auditorium
* May 8: Budget, Dinner and a Concert, 5:30 p.m., HS Media Center
* May 9: Budget talk, 8:30-11:30 a.m., New Munson Diner, 12 Lake St.
The district anticipates a slight decrease in state aid based on the governor’s budget proposal. However, the tax levy is expected to remain unchanged at $17,760,162 due to fund balances offsetting costs not covered by state reimbursements.
In addition to the budget, voters will also decide on a nearly $7.5 million capital project proposal to install air conditioning in the elementary school. This project is intended to address recent state legislation setting a maximum temperature of 88 degrees in educational and support service spaces. If approved, the project would not impact the tax levy, as fund balances would be utilized to cover costs not covered by state reimbursements. More information about the capital project is available at https://www.libertyk12.org/capital-project-2025/.
Also on the ballot are three board of education seats. Candidates include incumbents John L. Nichols and Timothy Hamblin, as well as Miriam Rivka Singer, Miriam Heimlich, and incumbent Matthew DeWitt. The elected candidates will serve three-year terms beginning July 1, 2025, and ending June 30, 2028.
Further information on the budget, including voter registration details, can be found on the district website’s budget information page.