CLINTONVILLE — The AuSable Valley Central School District board voted unanimously on Wednesday to approve the district’s 2025-26 school year budget. It is an increase of 3.36% from last year, and will be beneath the tax cap.

The approved budget for the coming school year will be $39,185,850. The estimated tax levy for the coming year will be about $16,763,000, a 3.57% increase from last year’s levy of $16,185,000. This just barely squeaked under the tax cap, which was set at 3.58%.

Tax rates will be around $12.98 per $1,000 in assessed value, according to the district office. Under this proposed tax rate, someone with a home assessed at $300,000 in AVCSD would pay around $3,894 in school taxes. These tax rates are estimates until they are finalized in August, and will vary between each of the nine towns in the district.

The tax levy makes up about 43% of the school’s budget. Another 34% or so is expected from state aid. The exact amount of the money the school will receive from the state won’t be determined until the state passes its final budget, which was due April 1. Gov. Kathy Hochul’s executive budget included $13,434,693 in foundation aid for AVCSD, which was a 2% increase from last year.

The school typically receives between $1 million and $2 million from the federal government, mainly Title, IDEA and Pre-K grants. While some districts in the region are preparing in case the amount of funding from the federal government decreases, the district office — speaking on behalf of Superintendent Michael Francia — said they are still operating under the assumption that this money will come through.

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Upcoming elections

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The budget for the 2025-26 school year will be put to voters on election day, May 20. Also up for a vote are five seats on the school board, according to district clerk, Tammy Sheffer.

Scott Bombard, Jason Fuller and President Shannon Stanley will be running again for three-year terms. Kenneth Bruno Jr., who was appointed to finish Jenna Beauregard’s term when she moved out of the area, will be running for a two-year term. There will also be an election for the seat vacated by Amanda Whisher, who had one year left in her term.

The candidates running for election and reelection will be finalized after the deadline for submitting nominating petitions, which is on Monday.