The Edwards-Knox CSD Board of Education adopted a proposed $18,663,353 spending plan for the 2025-26 school year during the Monday, April 8, board meeting.
Dear Edwards-Knox Residents,
As we approach the upcoming vote on the district’s proposed 2025-26 budget, I want to take a moment to share important highlights and encourage you to vote. Our budget is more than just numbers, it is a reflection of our commitment to providing a high-quality education that empowers our students and strengthens our community.
On Tuesday, May 20, 2025, Edwards-Knox residents will have the opportunity to vote on the proposed budget, carefully designed to preserve and enhance academic programs while remaining within the state-mandated tax levy limit. Polls will be open from noon to 8 p.m. in the Edwards-Knox Central School main gym, located at 2512 Co. Rt. 24 in Hermon.
In addition to the $18,663,353 budget proposal, voters will also elect one member to the Edwards-Knox Board of Education and decide on a $395,355 proposition to purchase two diesel school buses. Another important proposition on the ballot will seek to establish a capital reserve fund for essential equipment, including transportation and school vehicles. This money is set aside so that a significant project or expense does not affect the overall budget all at once. Your participation in these decisions ensures that our school continues to provide the best possible resources and opportunities for our students.
The proposed 2025-26 budget represents a spending increase of $813,626, or 4.56%, over the current school year. This increase is mainly driven by rising costs for materials, supplies, and contractual obligations. To support these efforts, district leaders are proposing a 2.98% tax levy increase, equivalent to $61,547. This increase remains within the district’s calculated tax levy limit and allows us to sustain our commitment to academic excellence while being fiscally responsible to our taxpayers.
Additionally, as part of our ongoing commitment to maintaining and improving our school facilities, this proposed budget includes a capital outlay project for the 2025-26 school year. Each year, New York state allows districts to allocate up to $100,000 for capital outlay projects, with Edwards-Knox receiving approximately 94% state aid for these investments. This year’s project will focus on necessary repairs and upgrades to our biomass heating system, a critical component in maintaining energy efficiency and managing heating costs effectively.
We invite you to learn more about the proposed budget by attending our annual budget hearing on Tuesday, May 13, at 6 p.m. in the Edwards-Knox Central School Auditorium. Additional details can also be found on our district website, or by contacting the District Office at 315-562-8130.
Your voice matters. Your vote matters. This budget proposal reflects our shared mission of inspiring a community of caring and contributing citizens, and we appreciate your continued support in ensuring the success of our students and the future of our school.
Sincerely,
Erin E. Woods, Superintendent of Schools
>>View the 2025-26 Budget Newsletter.
On the ballot
Proposition I
School Budget
RESOLVED, that the Board of Education of the Edwards-Knox Central School District in the State of New York, County of St. Lawrence, be authorized to expend the sum set forth in the total amount of $18,663,353 during the school year 2025-2026 and to levy the necessary tax thereafter.
Proposition II
Two Diesel School Buses
BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Education of the Edwards-Knox Central School District, New York, is hereby authorized to purchase and finance two (2) 72-passenger diesel school buses, including necessary furnishings, fixtures, and equipment and all other costs incidental thereto, and expend a total sum not to exceed $395,355, which is estimated to be the total maximum cost thereof, and pay for such vehicles by the levy of a tax upon the taxable property of said School District and collected in annual installments as provided by Section 416 of the Education Law; and, in anticipation of such tax, obligations of said School District in the principal amount not to exceed $395,355 shall be issued.
Proposition III
Establishment of a Capital Reserve Fund
BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Education of the Edwards-Knox Central School District, New York, is hereby authorized to establish a new ten-year capital reserve fund pursuant to Section 3651 of the Education Law and fund such reserve fund in an amount not to exceed $3,000,000, inclusive of accrued interest and other investment earnings, to be used for (i) purchase of transportation equipment and other school vehicles and (ii) construction, reconstruction, renovations, improvements, and additions to all District facilities, including purchase of equipment, technology upgrades, classroom equipment and/or school infrastructure equipment, site development, athletic fields, playgrounds, storm and sanitary sewer, driveways, and parking lots, such reserve fund to be funded from (i) year-end budget surplus funds known as unassigned fund balance, as available, for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2025, and each fiscal year thereafter for the term of the reserve fund, (ii) transfers of excess monies from Board of Education designated reserves, (iii) amounts from budgetary appropriations from time to time, and (iv) New York State Aid received and made available by the Board of Education from time to time, all as permitted by law.
Board of education election
Edwards-Knox voters will elect one member to the board of education. The single five-year term will begin July 1, 2025 (expiring June 30, 2030).
Candidates on the Ballot
Jennifer Benson-Baxter (Incumbent)
Hermon, NY
- Occupation:
- Completes home-based visits for early intervention and preschool children at North Coast Therapy.
- Edwards-Knox Board of Education member since 2023.
- Education:
- Studied Occupational Therapy at SUNY Canton and in Buffalo.
Toni LaPoint
Hermon, NY
- Occupation:
- Retired.
- Education:
- Bachelor of Arts in Chemistry from Nazareth College of Rochester, Master’s in Education from SUNY Potsdam.
Write-In Candidate
Budget vote day is May 20
Polls will be open from 12-8 p.m. on Tuesday, May 20, in the Edwards-Knox Central School Main Gym.
Budget hearing is May 13
The district’s annual budget hearing is at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, May 13 in the Edwards-Knox Central School Auditorium.