Ballot Propositions

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 gymnasium of the Midlakes Middle School on May 21, 2024, 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 2024-2025 school budget, and to authorize the requisite portion therefore to be raised by taxation on the taxable property of the District.

PROPOSITION II
(Transportation) 

Shall the Board of Education of the Phelps-Clifton Springs Central School District be authorized to purchase and finance two (2) 70-passenger diesel school buses, three (3) 30-passenger diesel buses, one (1) 30-passenger wheelchair accessible diesel school bus, and one (1) utility vehicle, including necessary furnishings, fixtures and equipment and all other costs incidental thereto, and expend a total sum not to exceed $1,073,880, which is estimated to be the total maximum cost thereof, and pay for such vehicles by using monies from the Bus Purchase Reserve Fund.

PROPOSITION III
(Transportation 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 for transportation pursuant to Section 3651 of the Education Law in an amount not to exceed $5,000,000, plus accrued interest and investment earnings thereon, to be used to defray the cost of school buses and other vehicles, including electric school buses and other electric vehicles, and transportation infrastructure, including construction and reconstruction of School District buildings and facilities, original equipment, machinery, apparatus, appurtenances, furnishings and other incidental improvements and expenses in connection therewith, and to defray the cost of, in whole or in part, and in order to accomplish the same, 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, 2024 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.

PROPOSITION IV
(Board of Education Members)

To elect 3 members to the Board of Education. One of these seats with a term expiring on June 30, 2024 is presently held by an appointee, which means that seat will be filled by a successful candidate immediately upon taking the oath of office after the annual meeting, and prior to July 1, 2024.  The vote results will determine who will fill the remainder of the partial term (approximately May 22, 2024 – June 30, 2024), and the full term of office associated with that seat from July 1, 2024 through June 30, 2027. The other two (2) seats are full three (3) year terms, each commencing July 1, 2024 and ending June 30, 2027. The seats are presently held by Ms. Lynn Lebrecht, Ms. Amber Wilkes, and Ms. Tracy Altman.

NOTICE IS FURTHER GIVEN that the Board of Education will hold a public budget hearing on May 8, 2024 at 6:00 P.M., UPDATED LOCATION: Midlakes Elementary School cafeteria, 1510 State Route 488, Clifton Springs, NY for the purpose of discussing the expenditure of funds for the 2024-2025 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 20, 2024 and must be received no later than 4:00 P.M. on May 14, 2024 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 14, 2024 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 315-548-6420 or pmann@midlakes.org. Completed applications for military ballots must be received by the Clerk no later than 5:00 P.M. on April 25, 2024.  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 9:00 A.M. and 5:00 P.M., no later than April 22, 2024.

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 2024 annual meeting, as practicable, in accordance with Education Law section 259.

DATED: March 18, 2024

BY ORDER OF THE BOARD OF EDUCATION
PHELPS-CLIFTON SPRINGS CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT