Public schools are among the most significant investments that any community makes collectively. District leaders work to make the most effective use of resources to benefit students, to develop and manage the budget in a responsible and transparent manner and to be accountable to taxpayers.

Each spring, the Malone Central School District Board of Education adopts a proposed budget for the next school year that the community then votes upon.

• Proposed Budget: $72,654,643

• Budget Change: $192,333 or .27%

• Tax Levy Change: 2.55% or $366,995

Malone Central School District residents will head to the polls on Tuesday, May 20, 2025, to decide on a $72,654,643 proposed budget for the 2025-26 school year. The budget proposal represents an increase in spending of $192,333, or .27%, over the current year.

The proposed budget keeps the tax levy increase to 2.55% or $366,995, as calculated under the state’s “tax cap” formula. As a result, a simple majority vote (50% plus one vote) is needed to pass.

Residents will be asked to consider the authorization of the purchase of passenger buses and/or vans, as well as related equipment and apparatus, for approximately $725,000. This will be paid for from Reserves and will have no impact on the 2025-26 tax levy.

Residents will be asked to authorize the district to establish a new Capital Reserve Fund (2028-2032) with an anticipated term of five years and an ultimate amount of $5,000,000. This fund will be used for such capital improvements to the district’s facilities as reconstruction and renovation, roofing, asbestos abatement, heating/ventilation, masonry work and windows. Funds for this account will be obtained from end of year budget surplus and the interest these funds accrue over the term of the capital reserve fund, as well as transfers of excess monies from board of education designated reserves.

One, five-year term on the Malone Central School District Board of Education is up for election this year. The seat, presently occupied by Cathy Hollinshead will become vacant as of June 30, 2025.

The Malone Board of Education meeting and budget development calendar for the 2025-26 school year is outlined below. 

The public hearing on the budget is scheduled for May 6, 2025, at 6:30 p.m. at the Franklin Academy Library, 42 Husky Lane, Malone, NY.

A community budget newsletter will be mailed in May.

Tuesday, May 20, 2025, Noon - 8 p.m.

Franklin Academy High School Gym Lobby,

42 Husky Lane, Malone, NY 12953

Signs will direct you to the polls

A community budget newsletter will be mailed in May.

Watch the video below for a quick overview of how school budgets are developed in New York.

All New York state public schools are required by law to report their spending in three categories: administrative, capital, and program. This will be shared here and in the district’s annual budget newsletter.

A qualified voter may vote as an early mail voter. Each person entitled to vote as an early mail voter and wanting to obtain an early mail ballot must submit a written application to the District Clerk. Any questions regarding the vote or running for the board, please contact the District Clerk, 518-483-7800 extension 1.

The application is available for request on April 21, 2025, and must be received by the District Clerk at least seven (7) days before the election/vote if the ballot is to be mailed to the voter, or the day before the election/vote if the ballot is to be delivered personally to the voter. Applications cannot be received any earlier than 30 days prior to the budget vote, this would mean the application cannot be received before April 24, 2025.

Upon receipt and approval of the application, a ballot will be mailed. The completed ballot must be received by the District Clerk by 5 p.m. on May 20, 2025.

Residents who will not be in the area on May 20, 2025, or are otherwise unable to vote in person, may apply for an absentee ballot at the District Office. Please call 518-483-7800 extension 1 to request an application. Applications can also be found here: Absentee Ballot If the absentee ballot is to be mailed to the voter, the application must be submitted at least seven days prior to the vote, or May 13, 2025.

If the absentee ballot is to be picked up by the voter in person, applications will be accepted until 3 p.m. on May 19, 2025.

Absentee ballots must be returned to the District Clerk no later than 5 p.m. on May 20, 2025.

For more information or to request a ballot, call the District Office at 518-483-7800 extension 1.

VOTER INFORMATION

Voter eligibility:

To be eligible to vote, residents must live in the school district for at least 30 days prior to the May 20, 2025, election, be at least 18 years of age and be a citizen of the United States.

Members of the United States Armed Forces may request an application for a military ballot to vote in the upcoming Malone Central School District budget and board of education election on May 20, 2025. Please contact the District Clerk, 518-483-7800 extension 1.

For a military voter to be issued a military ballot, the District Clerk must receive a valid ballot application no later than 5 p.m. on April 24, 2025.

If you have any questions please contact the District Clerk, 518-483-7800 extension. 1.

New York State's School Tax Relief (STAR) program provides eligible homeowners with relief on their property taxes. In addition to the original STAR exemption program, which provides for a direct reduction of your property tax, homeowners now have the option to choose the STAR credit program, in which you receive a check from the New York State Department of Taxation to apply to your property taxes. In some cases, homeowners may receive a greater benefit from the credit program than they have with the exemption program.

More information:

• Program Overview

• Eligibility

• Register for Star Credit

School district finances are subject to internal and external auditing, which promote both accountability and transparency. The Malone Central School District Audit Committee, which is comprised of Board members and community members, is charged with providing independent advice and recommendations to the board.

Each year, in accordance with New York State regulations, an independent auditor conducts a review of the districts’ financial statements. After the audit is completed, it is reviewed by the Audit Committee and accepted by the Board. This typically takes place in the fall. Below are the most recent audited financial statements:

• 1/25

• 2/25

• 3/25

• 7/24

• 8/24

• 9/24

• 10/24

• 11/24

• 12/24

• 1/25

• 2/25

• 3/25

• 7/24

• 8/24

• 9/24

• 10/24

• 11/24

• 12/24

• Prevailing Wage Schedule

  • Click here for the prevailing wage schedule.

• Print Your Tax Bill

  • InfoTax Online - print copies of your school tax bill.

• Tax Cap Information

  • Click here for information on the tax cap.

• Cynthia Reyome

• 518-483-7800, Opt. 3

• Email Cynthia Reyome

• Amanda Dishaw

• 518-483-7800, Opt. 3

• Email Amanda Dishaw

• Rhonda Poirier

• 518-483-7800, Opt. 4

• Email Rhonda Poirier

• Doreen Lahaie

• 518-483-7800, Opt. 5

• Email Doreen Lahaie

• Hannah Pixley

• 518-483-7800, ext. 7506

• Email Hannah Pixley

• Heather Hardy

• 518-483-7800, ext. 7502

• Email Heather Hardy