Home » Departments & Services » Budget & Finance

Budget & Finance


School Budget Information

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

2024-25 Budget Information

Article: Waterville voters approve 2024-25 budget; elect 2 board of education members

Article: Board adopts proposed 2024-25 budget

2024-25 budget

2024-25 budget notice

2024-25 property tax report card

Administrative compensation information

2024 budget brochure

2024-25 Revenues

3-part budget summary

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

Administrative: $2,519,778

Program: $14,969,175

Capital: $4,809,015

Madison County tax exemptions

Oneida County tax exemptions

2025-26 Budget Vote

More information will be posted next school year.

Eligibility

According to school board policy (Policy 2200), to be eligible to vote you must be:

  • A citizen of the United States;
  • At least eighteen years of age;
  • A resident within the school district for a period of thirty days preceding the election at which such person offers to vote;
  • Qualified to register or is registered to vote in accord with Section 5 – 106 of the NYS Election Law.
  • Capable of providing one form of proof of residency including either a driver’s license, a non-driver identification or a utility bill. Such voters must also provide their signature, printed name and address.

Absentee Ballot

Absentee ballot voting is available. The new Early Mail Voter Act effective Jan. 1, 2024, also allows for early voting via mail without any reasons needed for voting early.You must fill out an application to vote by early voting or absentee ballot. There are separate applications for voting by early voting or absentee ballot, but the application process and deadlines are the same for both.

Absentee and early mail ballot applications for the May 21, 2024 budget vote and election will be available beginning on April 17, 2024 in the District Office. Early mail voting is similar to absentee voting, but requires no reason as to why in person voting is not possible. The voter must indicate only that they are qualified and wish to vote early by mail.

To obtain an application for either type of ballot, please call Jennifer Nichols, District Clerk, at (315) 841-3816, or email jnichols@watervillecsd.org.

The completed ballot must be received by 5 p.m. on May 21, 2024 (the day of the vote).

Fiscal Transparency

Our district is committed to fiscal transparency with all stakeholders. Each year, the district’s financial statements are reviewed by an independent auditor as required by New York State. After the audit is completed, it is reviewed by the Audit Committee and accepted by the Board of Education. In addition, New York State requires that school districts submit a detailed annual statement of the total funding allocation for each school in the district. Audited financial statements and the annual fiscal transparency report are available.

School Tax Information

Tax rates for each municipality within the district are set each August. They are based on the tax levy for the year and final municipal assessments for each of the towns. Tax rates vary between towns because property in each is assessed at different levels in relation to full market value. The state assigns each town an equalization rate to fairly divide the tax levy between the towns. The district does not control any part of the assessment or equalization process.

Looking for more information on your school tax bill? Please view our informational flyer Understanding Your School Tax Bill.

STAR Program

Homeowners who meet certain eligibility requirements through the New York State School Tax Relief Program (STAR) can have a portion of their home’s assessed value exempt from school property taxes. 

Learn more about the STAR program.

If you cannot access the documents on this page, please call (518) 841-3900 or email Communications to obtain the document in an alternative format.