Proposed school budgets for 2025-26 school year in the Southern Tier
Similar to last year, districts in the Southern Tier have proposed increases and decreases to their budgets, along with increases and decreases to the tax rate.
Five school districts in the Southern Tier will require a supermajority to pass, meaning a 60% majority is needed. The districts needing a supermajority are Horseheads, Bradford, Corning, Prattsburgh, and Waverly.
A list of all the schools in our area can be found below with the proposed budgets, tax rate increases/decreases, and board seats up for election.
Graduates walk in Elmira College's 167th Commencement Ceremony
School District
Proposed Budget
Tax Rate Increase
Board Seats
Voting Hours
Elmira School District
$155,344,907
-6.44%
Seven running for four seats
7 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Elmira Heights
$29,978,969
2%
Zero running for one seat
7 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Horseheads
$93,884,722
3.03%
Seven running for three seats
7 a.m. to 9 p.m.
It must be noted that due to the late passing of the New York State Budget in April, additional foundation aid was received by the district. This additional aid of $364,119 is not included in the current budget, but narrows the gap between the Governor's initial budget proposal and the official state-approved funding for Horseheads, the district said.
As a result, Superintendent Douglas announced he would use the late funding to reduce the taxes for the community once the school budget is passed. This reduction would reduce the estimated full-value tax rate increase for property and business owners.
The current rate estimated the district at $.48 per $1,000 assessed home value. With the new funding, that rate would drop to $.36 per $1,000 assessed full value. The district said this move would help ease the burden on Horseheads residents.
School District
Proposed Budget
Tax Rate Increase
Board Seats
Voting Hours
Odessa-Montour
$22,562,566
4%
Three running for two seats
Noon to 8 p.m.
Watkins Glen
$31,433,950
1.76%
Four running for three seats
Noon to 8 p.m.
Steuben County
Proposed Budget
Tax Rate Increase
Board Seats
Voting Hours
Addison
$36,880,787
0%
Two running for one seat
Noon to 8:30 p.m.
Arkport
$15,732,523
-1.15%
Two running for one seat
11 a.m. to 8 a.m.
Avoca
$14,562,895
2.98%
One running for one seat
Noon to 8 p.m.
Bath
$50,861,699
2.15%
Four running for two seats
Noon to 8 p.m.
Bradford
$10,286,439
5.85%
One running for two seats
Noon to 8 p.m.
Campbell-Savona
$27,287,344
2%
Five running for two seats
Noon to 8 p.m.
Canisteo-Greenwood
$30,160,712
1.92%
Six running for three seats
Noon to 8 p.m.
Corning
$146,804,840
1.65%
Four running for three seats
11 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Hammonsdport
$16,801,058
1.56%
Two running for one seat
Noon to 8 p.m.
Hornell
$44,978,293
1.24%
One running for one seat
Noon to 9 p.m.
Jasper-Troupsburg
$15,290,981
.25%
Two running for one seat
Noon to 8 p.m.
Prattsburgh
$12,157,375
11.66%
One running for one seat
Noon to 8 p.m.
Wayland-Cohocton
$38,061,723
3.08%
Two running for one seat
10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
School District
Proposed Budget
Tax Rate Increase
Board Seats
Voting Houts
Spencer-Van Etten
$29,070,645
1.30%
Two running for two seats
Noon to 8 p.m.
Waverly
$47,422,566
3.90%
Two running for two seats
Noon to 8 p.m.
Voting is scheduled for Tuesday, May 20. 18 News will update this article as votes come in.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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