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Annual Vote

Annual Vote

Budget Development Calendar The development of the 2026-2027 budget will follow a process similar to recent years. Presentations on specific departments/areas will be presented to the Board in advance of the presentation of the overall budget for consideration by the Board. 

NOTICE OF ANNUAL SCHOOL DISTRICT MEETING
OF THE VOTERS OF THE
PHELPS-CLIFTON SPRINGS CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT
THE BOARD OF EDUCATION OF THE PHELPS-CLIFTON SPRINGS CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT HEREBY GIVES NOTICE that the Annual Meeting of the qualified voters of said School District, County of Ontario, State of New York, will be held in the old Middle School Library in the Middle School building located at 1554 State Route 488, Clifton Springs, New York on May 19, 2026, by voting machine or paper ballot between the hours of 12:00 noon and 9:00 P.M., prevailing time, for the purpose of voting upon the following propositions:

  • PROPOSITION I (Budget)
    To approve the proposed 2026-2027 school budget, and to authorize the requisite portion therefore to be 
    raised by taxation on the taxable property of the District.
     
  • PROPOSITION II (Board of Education Members)
    To elect two (2) members to the Board of Education for 3-year terms, each commencing July 1, 2026 and 
    ending June 30, 2029. The seats are presently held by Deborah Galliher and Heather Rockefeller.
     
  • PROPOSITION III (Transportation)
    Shall the Board of Education of the Phelps-Clifton Spring Central School District be authorized to purchase 
    and finance four (4) 70-passenger diesel school buses and one (1) 60-passenger wheelchair accessible diesel school 
    bus, including necessary furnishings, fixtures and equipment and all other costs incidental thereto, and expend a 
    total sum not to exceed $1,095,582, which is estimated to be the total maximum cost thereof, and pay for such 
    vehicles by using the District’s Transportation Capital Reserve Fund approved by the voters in May of 2024.
     
  • PROPOSITION IV (Capital Reserve)
    Shall the Board of Education of the Phelps-Clifton Springs Central School District be authorized to establish 
    a new ten-year capital reserve pursuant to Section 3651 of the Education Law in an amount not to exceed 
    $10,000,000, plus accrued interest and investment earnings thereon, to be used for renovations and additions to all  District facilities, including the purchase of equipment, technology upgrades, classroom equipment and/or school infrastructure equipment, security and safety improvement, site development, athletic fields, plumbing, storm and sanitary sewers, boilers, 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, 2026 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
     

NOTICE IS FURTHER GIVEN that the Board of Education will hold a public budget hearing on May 11, 2026 at 6:00 P.M., in the Midlakes School Cafeteria in the Secondary Building for the purpose of discussing the expenditure of funds for the 2026-2027 school year and the budgeting thereof.

NOTICE IS FURTHER GIVEN that a copy of the detailed budget statement outlining the amount of money which will be required for the ensuing year for school purposes may be obtained by any District resident at each schoolhouse in the District in which school is maintained during the hours of 8:00 A.M. and 3:00 P.M. on each day other than a Saturday, Sunday, or holiday during the fourteen (14) days immediately preceding the annual meeting.

NOTICE IS FURTHER GIVEN that qualified voters of the District may obtain applications for an absentee ballot or an early voting ballot from the office of the Clerk of the District. Completed applications must be received by the Clerk of the District no later than 4:00 P.M. on May 18, 2026 and must be received no later than 4:00 P.M. on May 12, 2026 if the absentee ballot or an early voting ballot is to be mailed to the voter. Completed applications received after 4:00 P.M. on May 12, 2026 will require the voter to personally appear at the office of the Clerk of the District to receive an absentee ballot or an early voting ballot. A listing of all persons to whom an absentee ballot or an early voting ballot is issued will be available for inspection by any qualified voter in the office of the Clerk of the District between the hours of 8:00 A.M. and 4:00 P.M. during each of the 5 business days prior to the election.
NOTICE IS FURTHER GIVEN that military ballots may be applied for by qualified voters by requesting an application from the District Clerk at 315-548-6423 or pmann@midlakes.org. Completed applications for military ballots must be received by the Clerk no later than 4:00 P.M. on April 24, 2026. In a request for a military ballot application or ballot, the military voter may indicate their preference for receiving the application or ballot by mail, facsimile transmission or electronic mail.
NOTICE IS FURTHER GIVEN that petitions nominating candidates for the office of member of the board of education must be filed in the District Clerk’s Office between 8:00 A.M. and 5:00 P.M., no later than April 20, 2026.

AND FURTHER NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN in the event the Clifton Springs Library or the Phelps Community Memorial Library requests voter approval of a budgetary proposition, it will be included on the ballot for the 2026 annual meeting, as practicable, in accordance with Education Law section 259.

DATED: March 16, 2026
BY ORDER OF THE BOARD OF EDUCATION
PHELPS-CLIFTON SPRINGS CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT
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► IN-PERSON VOTING: Noon to 9 p.m., Tuesday May 19, Old Middle School Library, 1554 State Route 488, Clifton Springs.

► ABSENTEE BALLOTS: Qualified voters of the District may obtain applications for an absentee ballot or an early voting ballot. Completed applications must be received by the  District Clerk no later than 4 p.m. on May 18, and must be received no later than 4 p.m. on May 12, if the absentee ballot or an early voting ballot is to be mailed to the voter.  Completed applications received after 4 p.m. on May 12, will require the voter to personally appear at the office of the Clerk of the District to receive an absentee ballot or an early voting ballot.  

A listing of all persons to whom an absentee ballot or an early voting ballot is issued will be available for inspection by any qualified voter in the office of the Clerk of the District between the hours of 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. during each of the five business days prior to the election.

► MILITARY BALLOTS: May be requested from the District Clerk at (315) 548-6423 or pmann@midlakes.org. Completed applications for military ballots must be received by the Clerk no later than 4 p.m. on April 24, 2026.  In a request for a military ballot application or ballot, the military voter may indicate their preference for receiving the application or ballot by mail, facsimile transmission or electronic mail.

► BUDGET STATEMENT: A detailed budget statement may be obtained by any District resident from 8 a.m. - 3 p.m. during weekdays, excluding holidays, during the fourteen days immediately preceding the Annual Vote.

► ELIGIBILITY: Residents qualify to participate in the annual vote, provided they are:

  • A U.S. Citizen
  • At least 18 years old
  • A resident of the District for at least 30 days prior to the vote

Budget Hearing
The Board of Education will hold a public budget hearing at 6 p.m. on Monday, May 11, 2026, in the Midlakes Middle School Cafeteria. The Budget Hearing is to be held for the purpose of discussing the expenditure of funds for the 2026-2027 school year and the budgeting thereof. The Regular Board of Education meeting will directly follow the Budget Hearing.

► SUPERINTENDENT'S MESSAGE: Budgeting for Student Success
► ANNUAL VOTE Q&A: Previous Responses to commonly asked questions
► BOARD OF EDUCATION CANDIDATES: Two seats will be open June 30.
► PROPOSED BALLOT PROPOSITIONS & LEGAL NOTICE: Items on the 2026 ballot
► MIDLAKES JOURNAL: Annual Vote Edition 
► MEETING VIDEOS: Review database of budget presentations (scroll to bottom of page for more.)
► MY POLL PLACE: Locate your polling location.
► AM I REGISTERED: Unsure if you're in the Phelps-Clifton Springs School District? Search this link.
► FLATEAU VOTING & ELECTIONS DATABASE OF NY ACT: The Phelps-Clifton Springs School District Budget Vote will be conducted in compliance with the Flateau Voting Act of 2026. Voter rolls were catalogued in a combined effort among Ontario, Seneca and Wayne County Boards of Elections and BOLD Election Management Systems. Ontario County will continue to assist; voters will sign in on a tablet upon arrival, and then fill out a ballot as usual.

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BOE Candidate Packets

Qualified voters of the district will have the opportunity to elect two (2) members to full three (3) year terms on the Board of Education during the Annual School Vote from noon to 9 p.m. on May 19, 2026. Candidate Packets are now available for pick up and are DUE APRIL 20, 2026 at 5 p.m. for those interested in running for a seat on the Board of Education.

Please call District Clerk Pam Mann at (315) 548-6423 to arrange a time between the hours of 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. when school is in session on or before Monday, April 20, 2026, to pick up a candidate packet in District Office, 1490 State Route 488, Clifton Springs, NY 14432.

Board of Education candidates must be:

  • 18 years of age or older
  • A citizen of the United States
  • A resident of the Phelps-Clifton Springs CSD for at least one year prior to the day of election (May 20, 2025)
  • Not adjudged to be an incompetent
  • Able to read and write
  • Not employed by the district in which he or she serves
  • Not residing with another member of the same school board as a member of the same family
  • Not hold another incompatible public office
  • A convicted felon may not run for a seat on a Board of Education while he or she is incarcerated for this felony.
  • A school board member does not have to be a taxpayer  
  • Individuals removed from any office of any school district within one year of the day of election may not be elected to a Board of Education

In addition, candidates must submit a Nominating Petition signed by at least 25 qualified voters of the district. A qualified voter is any individual who is a citizen of the United States, 18 years of age or older, a resident of the district for at least 30 days prior to the date of the election, and not disqualified to vote because of a violation the New York Election Law. 

Also, candidates are asked to submit a professional headshot and complete an online Candidate Questionnaire by Tuesday, April 21. This information should be completed AFTER a Nominating Petition is filed with the District Clerk. Candidate biographies and photos will be published in the Midlakes Journal and Midlakes.org.

The number of signatures obtained on the Nominating Petition must meet or exceed the required number of signatures. Please note that all signatures must be accompanied by a residence address (Street and Town) within the Phelps-Clifton Springs CSD. PO Box addresses will not be accepted. Signatures must be in ink and numbered consecutively. All signatures must be INDIVIDUALIZED, i.e., Jane Doe or John Doe (not Mrs. John Doe or Mr. and Mrs. John Doe).

All Nominating Petitions must be filed with the District Clerk by delivering them to the District Office, 1490 State Route 488, Clifton Springs, NY 14432, between the hours of 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. on or before Monday, April 20, 2026. Please contact the District Clerk Pam Mann at (315) 548-6423 with any questions.

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THANK YOU, VOTERS! Your Support Matters

2025 Annual Vote Results

MAY 20, 2025 — Voters in the Phelps-Clifton Springs Central School District (Midlakes schools) approved the 2025-2026 school budget along with several other propositions on this year’s ballot.

The $ 47,386,760 budget proposal was approved by a vote of (409-123, 76.9% approval). The budget calls for a 2.00% tax levy increase, which is below the District’s 5.15% limit for the upcoming year based on the state’s tax-cap formula and the current rate of inflation.

Other measures decided by voters:

TRANSPORTATION (SCHOOL BUS PURCHASE) APPROVED
(425-110, 79.4% approval) 
To authorize the Board of Education to spend up to $888,237 for the purchase of four 70-passenger diesel school buses, one 30-passenger diesel school bus and one sport utility vehicle to be paid from the Bus Purchase Reserve and the Transportation Capital Reserve. (The state will reimburse the District 90% of the purchase.)

BOARD OF EDUCATION (Picking two; elected members in bold)
Jackie (Gallahan) Blake: 309
Nicholas Hargarther: 250
Lindsay Marino: 215
Amanda Frost: 209

LIBRARY FUNDING APPROVED
(412-122, 77.1% approval)
A separate measure to approve $194,000 annually to be contributed to support the Clifton Springs Library in the amount of $97,000 and the Phelps Community Memorial Library in the amount of $97,000.​​ (This amount is separate from the District budget.)

Additional Resources