Voters across the Finger Lakes and Central New York took to the polls on Tuesday for local school board and budget elections. We’ll be updating this post with more results throughout the day.
Seneca Falls voters approve school budget, bus purchases, and library tax
Seneca Falls Central School District voters overwhelmingly approved all four propositions on the ballot Tuesday, including a $38.18 million school budget and a tax levy for the Seneca Falls Library.
Proposition 1, the 2025–2026 school budget, passed with 262 votes in favor and 80 against. Voters also authorized the district to spend up to $995,000 on new buses, passing Proposition 2 by a margin of 269 to 72.
Proposition 3, which allows the district to expend funds from the Technology Equipment and Infrastructure Capital Reserve Fund 2024, passed with 277 votes in support and 65 opposed. Proposition 4, approving a $387,000 tax levy to support the Seneca Falls Library, was approved by a vote of 252 to 89.
In the Board of Education race, voters elected three candidates to serve terms from July 1, 2025, through June 30, 2028. Denise Lorenzetti led the field with 280 votes, followed by Matthew Lando with 256 and Anthony Ferrara with 254.
Canandaigua voters approve $93.4M budget and re-elect Miller
Canandaigua City School District voters approved a $93.4 million budget for the 2025–26 school year on Tuesday, with 74% voting in favor. All five propositions on the ballot passed, including transportation purchases, a capital reserve fund, and continued support for Wood Library.
Julianne Miller was re-elected to a five-year term on the Board of Education, receiving 1,155 votes.
“We are thankful to the voters in the Canandaigua City School District for passing the 2025–26 budget,” said Jeanie Grimm, Board of Education President. “The commitment of the Canandaigua community to education ensures that all students have the resources, opportunities, and support they need to thrive.”
Propositions to purchase gas and diesel buses passed 1,043 to 351, and zero emissions buses were approved 833 to 567. The capital reserve fund was established with a vote of 1,071 to 325. Voters also backed the Wood Library proposition by a 1,013 to 398 margin.
Midlakes voters approve school budget, elect two to board
Voters in the Phelps-Clifton Springs Central School District approved the 2025–26 school budget and several other key propositions during Tuesday’s election. The $47,386,760 budget passed with 76.9% approval, with 409 voting in favor and 123 opposed.
The budget includes a 2.00% tax levy increase, remaining well below the district’s 5.15% cap based on the state’s formula and inflation rates.
A transportation proposition to purchase five diesel buses and one SUV passed with 425 yes votes and 110 no, representing 79.4% approval. The purchase will be paid from reserve funds and reimbursed 90% by the state.
In the Board of Education race, voters elected Jackie Blake with 309 votes and Nicholas Hargarther with 250. Lindsay Marino and Amanda Frost received 215 and 209 votes, respectively.
Voters also approved $194,000 in annual funding for the Clifton Springs Library and Phelps Community Memorial Library. The measure passed with 412 in favor and 122 opposed, securing 77.1% support.
Auburn voters approve $107M school budget, elect four to board
Auburn Enlarged City School District voters have approved a $107.3 million budget for the 2025–26 school year, along with an emergency capital project, during Tuesday’s election. The budget passed with 1,195 votes in favor and 808 opposed, while the capital project was approved with 1,374 yes votes and 614 no.
Four candidates were elected to the Board of Education: James Van Arsdale (1,251 votes), Jason Horbal (1,221), Danielle Wood (1,111), and Daniel Lovell (901).
In a message to the community, the district and Board of Education thanked voters for supporting students and educators. “Your support reflects our shared commitment to the success, well-being, and future of every child in our community,” the statement read.
Other candidates in the race included William Andre (859 votes), Frederick Cornelius (647), and Hannah van der Werff (539).
The approved budget reflects a 2.8% increase over the previous year and includes a 3.25% rise in the tax levy. District officials emphasized that the emergency capital project would have no tax impact.
Geneva voters approve school budget and elect board members
Geneva City School District voters overwhelmingly approved the proposed 2025–26 budget on Tuesday, with 80.1% voting in favor. The vote also decided uncontested races for the Board of Education and the Geneva Public Library trustee.
Brian Finnerty and Matthew Herbert were elected to the Board of Education. Finnerty, receiving the most votes, secured a five-year term, while Herbert will serve a one-year term.
“This was a difficult budget for us, and we’re proud that we were able to close a $3.1 million gap while maintaining the lowest tax increase in over a decade,” Superintendent Bo Wright said. “We did so without cutting active employees or sacrificing programs we know are essential to our students.”
In addition to the main budget, voters approved three other propositions. The transportation purchase plan passed with 75.8% support, while the capital reserve fund proposition was backed by 80.8% of voters. The Geneva Public Library budget also passed with 78.1% in favor.
Joann Holland was elected to a five-year term as a library trustee. She ran unopposed and received 461 votes.
NRW voters approve school budget and elect Reed to board
Residents of the North Rose-Wolcott Central School District have approved the proposed $37.15 million budget for the 2025–26 school year, alongside two additional spending propositions and the election of a new board member.
Voters passed the school budget with 146 in favor and 64 opposed during Tuesday’s vote.
A second proposition to use $925,000 from the district’s capital reserve to purchase five diesel school buses also passed, with 162 yes votes and 48 no votes. Additionally, funding support for the Wolcott Public Library and Rose Free Library was approved by a wide margin, with 174 voters in favor and 36 opposed.
Tina Reed was elected to a five-year term on the district’s Board of Education, receiving 177 votes. Several individuals received single write-in votes, including Paul Statskey, Dorothy Patt, and Ginna Musso.
Red Jacket voters pass school budget and elect board members
Voters in the Manchester-Shortsville Central School District have approved the 2025–26 school budget and a separate proposition to purchase a new school bus. The results were confirmed following Tuesday’s vote.
The approved budget totals $23,692,413 and includes a 1.93% increase in the tax levy. Voters backed the measure with 188 in favor and 55 opposed.
A second proposition authorizing the purchase of a school bus also passed, with 195 votes in favor and 49 against.
In the Board of Education election, voters chose Scott Van Aken and Barbara Gardner to fill two open seats. Van Aken received the most votes, earning a five-year term beginning July 1. Gardner, elected as a write-in candidate, secured the second seat. Ashley Rivera also ran as a write-in and received 48 votes.
Watkins, Odessa-Montour school budgets approved by voters
Voters in the Watkins Glen and Odessa-Montour school districts passed budget proposals and elected new board members, according to local results released Tuesday.
Watkins Glen’s $31.4 million budget and diesel bus lease plan were approved, with Keith Caslin and Chad Hendrickson winning full board terms and Astra Titus securing a one-year seat. Odessa-Montour’s $22.5 million plan passed overwhelmingly, along with four other propositions.
In Odessa, David Stigers and incumbent Will Shrout were elected to the school board, edging out former member Kurt Anderson in the vote.
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