School Budget & Elections Information

The 2026-27 Annual Budget Vote and Board of Education Election will take place on Tuesday, May 19, 2026, in the District Board Room at Norwood-Norfolk Central School from 12:30-8:30 p.m.

 

 

The Norwood-Norfolk Central School District Annual Budget Vote and Board of Education Election polls will be open on Tuesday, May 19, 2026, from 2:30-8:30 p.m. in the District Board Room.

 

Total Proposed Budget | $31,795,744

Budget Increase | $1,515,203 or 5%

Tax Levy Change | $98,021 or 1.5%

Proposed Tax Levy

The Board of Education is proposing a 1.5% tax levy increase, well below the district’s 5.33% allowable tax cap. The additional $98,021 in revenue will help the district sustain student opportunities and meet required operational costs. District leaders emphasize their commitment to responsible, transparent financial stewardship and to balancing student needs with long‑term fiscal stability.

Rising Operating Costs
Like many districts across New York State, Norwood‑Norfolk continues to face significant increases in essential expenses.

• Health insurance premiums are rising at rates above inflation.

• Utility costs have increased sharply despite consistent usage.

 

These pressures affect the district’s ability to maintain programs, services, and staffing without additional revenue. The proposed levy increase reflects a sustainable approach to managing these unavoidable costs while remaining mindful of the community’s financial realities.

Capital Improvement Project
In October 2025, voters approved a major capital improvement project designed to enhance learning spaces, safety, and overall facility functionality. The project is expected to go out to bid in Fall 2026.

Capital project funding is supported by a separate state reimbursement rate, not the annual operating budget. Norwood‑Norfolk will receive 98% reimbursement on eligible project costs, meaning the state covers nearly the entire expense. This building aid does not reduce or increase the state aid the district receives for its annual budget.

Board of Education Election
Voters will also elect three Board of Education members on May 19. The candidates receiving the highest number of votes will serve three‑year terms beginning July 1, 2026. Candidate information is available on page five of the district newsletter.

Board of Education Candidates

Matthew Jones
Matthew Jones is a longtime NNCS parent and community member who brings leadership experience and a strong commitment to local families. As a father of four students in the district, he is deeply invested in supporting a school community where every child can succeed. Jones is a store manager at Lowe’s in Potsdam and has spent years developing teams, mentoring future leaders, and managing operations. He hopes to apply that experience to thoughtful, responsible decision-making on the Board of Education. His vision focuses on strengthening support for teachers, using district resources transparently, and ensuring students have every opportunity to thrive in a school the entire community can be proud of.

Susan Mackey
Susan Mackey has been part of the Norwood‑Norfolk school community for nearly five decades, beginning her career in 1977 as a hall, bus, and cafeteria monitor before moving into academic support for seventh and eighth‑grade students. Her success helping struggling learners led her to continue her education and become a teaching assistant, a role that deepened her commitment to student growth and school success. Mackey currently serves on the NNCS Board of Education in a one‑year seat and is seeking election to a full three‑year term. She values the collaborative work of the board and believes strongly in aligning decisions with the needs of students. Her vision focuses on ensuring the district’s mission is upheld through strong academics, responsible budgeting, reliable transportation, and support for every student. 

Heaven Simons
A lifelong NNCS graduate and community advocate, Heaven has spent more than a decade supporting local children and families through youth sports, early‑childhood programs, and her work as a daycare provider. She previously served five years as a Home‑Based Visitor for Head Start, partnering with families to strengthen early learning and engagement. Elected to the NNCS Board of Education three years ago, she has focused on listening to community voices, supporting teachers, and helping guide decisions that expand opportunities for all students. Her vision centers on creating safe, inclusive schools where every child feels valued and prepared – academically, socially, and emotionally – to reach their full potential.

2026-27 Budget Q&A

What is the difference between the tax levy and the tax rate?

The tax levy is the total amount of money the district collects from all property owners each year to support the school budget. The tax rate is calculated by dividing the total levy by the community’s total taxable assessed value.

Tax rates can change even when the levy does not, because they are influenced by:

• Municipal assessment updates

• State equalization rates, released each August

What happens if the budget is voted down?

If voters reject the proposed budget, the district has three options:

1. Present the same budget for a second vote

2. Present a revised budget

3. Adopt a contingent budget

If the budget is defeated twice, the district must move to a contingent budget. For 2026–27, this would require cutting $683,133 from the proposed $31,795,744 budget—reductions that would directly affect student programs and services.

What’s different in the proposed 2026–27 budget?

The proposed budget increases spending by $1,515,203, or 5.0%, over the current year. Key drivers include:

• Rising health insurance premiums

• Significant increases in utility costs

• The addition of a special education teacher to meet student needs

What are Payments in Lieu of Taxes (PILOTs), and how do they affect the tax levy?

Payments in Lieu of Taxes (PILOTs) are agreements managed by local Industrial Development Agencies (IDAs) to encourage business investment. Instead of paying traditional property taxes, a company makes a fixed annual payment—typically lower than standard taxation.

School districts do not negotiate PILOT terms.

A PILOT agreement with Liberty Utilities ended this year. It previously provided $101,610 annually to the district. With the agreement expired, that amount now shifts back onto the tax levy, which may result in changes to individual tax bills.

Eligibility to Vote 
To be a qualified voter, a person must be a U.S. Citizen who is 18 years of age or older, and a resident of the school district for at least 30 days prior to the vote.

Absentee and Early Vote by Mail Ballots
Qualified voters may apply for absentee ballots and early vote by mail ballots through the District Clerk’s office. To request either ballot application, please contact Jill Weaver, District Clerk, at (315) 353-6631, ext. 38733, or email [email protected]. 

A list of persons to whom absentee ballots and early vote by mail ballots have been issued will be available for inspection in the District Clerk’s office during each of the five days prior to the day of election, except on Sunday. To be issued an absentee ballot, the District Clerk must receive a valid ballot application no later than May 12, 2026 if the ballot is to be mailed to the voter, or May 18, 2026 if requested and received in person.

Polling Site
Voting on the 2026-27 budget and annual election of candidates for the Board of Education will be held in the District Board Room on Tuesday, May 19, 2026 between the hours of 12:30 p.m. and 8:30 p.m.