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Budget and Election

Budget and Election Information

2025-26 Budget and Election

The Budget Vote will be held Tuesday, May 20, 2025, 12 p.m. to 8 p.m. in Newfane Elementary School – Aquatic Entrance

BUDGET NEWSLETTER 2025

 

Absentee Ballot Voting:  Voters who cannot get to the polls on the day of the vote due to illness or travel outside of Niagara County can ask for an Absentee Ballot Application from the District Clerk by phone or in person. District Clerk, 6048 Godfrey Road, Burt, NY 14028 between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. Monday through Friday.  Please fill out and return the application in person or mail the application to the attention of the District Clerk.

A regular voter absentee ballot application must be received by the District Clerk at least seven (7) days before the election if the ballot is to be mailed to the voter, or the day before the election, if the ballot is to be delivered personally to the voter. If the District Clerk finds the application meets all of the required criteria and is satisfied the applicant is a qualified voter, the Clerk may issue an absentee ballot.  

Early Voting:  You may only apply for an early mail ballot on your own behalf. A voter who applies for and is issued an early mail ballot will not be eligible for an absentee ballot for the same election.

The District Clerk must mail an early mail ballot to every qualified voter otherwise eligible for a ballot who requests an early mail ballot in writing, in a letter signed by the voter and stating the address at which the voter resides. Such a letter must be received by the clerk no earlier than the 30th day and no later than the 7th day before the election for which the ballot is requested. In responding to such a request, the clerk should mail the voter an early mail ballot and enclose with the ballot an early mail ballot application from. The early mail ballot of any voter requesting a ballot by letter cannot be counted unless a valid application form, signed by the voter, is received by the clerk with the voter's ballot.

Voter Eligibility

To be eligible to vote, a person must be:

  • at least 18 years of age;
  • a United States citizen;
  • a resident of the District for at least 30 days immediately prior to the vote.

2025 BOE Candidate Statements

2025 Board Trustee Candidate:  Mr. Robert Dunn

I joined the school Board in 2022 when the country was just starting to recover from COVID and our social distancing practices mandated during that time. I was amazed at the impact that COVID had (and continues to have) on our student development and socialization skills. When I first joined the Board, I put forth three guiding principles that I believed were highly important to a school district:

1. Wellbeing and Student Success, Academic Achievement, and Life Readiness.
2. Recruitment, Retention and Talent Development of Staff.
3. Respectful, Responsible, Transparent Communication to Our Community.

I can confidently say after 3 years of serving on Newfane’s Board of Education these principles are just as relevant as they were back in 2022. I consider myself very fortunate to be part of a high performing team (Newfane BOE) that collectively looks for the best solutions for our students, maintains a high-quality work environment for our staff and administrators, and offers transparency to our community in the way we govern our school district. This school year (2024-2025) the school Board has taken on an aggressive goal challenge that supports Safety & Security, Board Governance, and Communication & Community Engagement. I couldn’t be prouder of the work we have achieved over this past year and would be honored by your vote to allow me an opportunity to continue working with this motivated and skilled team to make our district the best we can.

2025 School Board Trustee Candidate:  Mr. Michael MacEvoy

My name is Michael MacEvoy, and my family has lived in the Newfane school district for 12 years. I have three children currently enrolled in the Newfane Central School District. Next year I will have children attending the Elementary and Middle Schools at Newfane. Our family has deep roots in the region, with close connections to the Wilson, Roy-Hart, and Barker school districts. My oldest son is a Newfane graduate and is proudly serving our country with the United States Army.

Professionally, I’m a pharmacist. I earned my degree from the University at Buffalo where I met my wife, Wendy, and began my career with the Department of Veterans Affairs. Today, I have the privilege of serving as the Chief Health Services Officer at D’Youville University, where I’m also an Associate Dean in the School of Pharmacy. These roles have given me valuable insights into healthcare, education, and community — all of which shape the perspectives I bring to our schools.

My experiences have helped me truly appreciate the essential role that schools play in shaping young lives. I’m a strong supporter of extracurricular opportunities, athletics, the arts, and
vocational training, and I believe every student deserves access to a well-rounded and supportive educational environment. As a parent, I understand the hopes and challenges families face as they navigate the school years. I also understand how critical it is for students to have a foundation that prepares them for success not only in academics, but in life. If given the opportunity to serve on the Newfane School Board, my goal is to work collaboratively with school leadership, teachers, and families to ensure our students are well-equipped for whatever path they choose—be it college, a career, or military service. I’m inspired by the ways in which schools can positively influence lives, and I’d be honored to give back to the district that has given so much to my own family.

2025 School Board Trustee Candidate:  Mr. Anthony Casinelli

Although not a native of Newfane, there is nowhere that I would rather live. I moved into the district in 1997. Prior to this, I spent seven plus years in the United States Air Force. I completed my Air Force career as a 1st Lieutenant to join DuPont, where I spent forty-two years in various manufacturing management positions and finished my career as the Human Resources Manager for the facility in Buffalo, New York. I hold a Bachelor’s Degree in Photographic Science and an MBA in Organizational Management, both from Rochester Institute of Technology. My education and experience have proven to be a great resource while serving my community.

I grew up in a rural community near Hornell, NY so the Newfane area was a place where I felt immediately comfortable. My two sons, Ty and Reese Casinelli, graduated from Newfane in 2019. Reese graduated from the College of Saint Rose in May 2024 and Ty will graduate from Canisius University this year. We are grateful as a family for all that the district and community has offered us. I enjoy hunting and golfing, so this area is perfect for me when I get the chance to relax.

I have been honored to serve you as a Newfane Board of Education Trustee for the past 7 years and ask your support to continue for another term. I am proud of the accomplishments we have achieved. We have been able to consistently minimize the tax increases while implementing a capital improvement project to upgrade our facilities in a way that did not impact taxes, successfully navigate the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic and continue to provide quality education programs. I am also proud of the performance of our students academically and athletically. We have so much to be proud of in Newfane.

I hope to continue my presence on the Newfane Board of Education and participate in continuing to improve and grow our district. Our future is bright!

General School Budget Information

  • The public budget hearing will take place on May 6, 2025 at 6:30 p.m. at Newfane Early Childhood Center in room 129.

  • Click here to download a pdf of the March 18th budget slides presented at the public BOE meeting:  2025-26 Budget Slides

  • If you require additional information, please call Ms. Crystal Frank, District Clerk, at 716-778-6856 or email at:  cfrank@newfanecentralschools.org.

  • Tuesday, May 20, 2025 from 12 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Newfane Elementary School (Aquatics entrance).

  • Voters must be:

    1. Citizen of the United States, and

    2. At least 18 years of age, and

    3. A resident of the district for at least 30 days prior to the vote

  • Click here to download a pdf of the February 2025 Budget Presentation at the public BOE meeting:  2025-26 First Draft Budget Slides

school district musical

Budget Documents

  • PROPOSITION NUMBER 1      2024-2025 BUDGET

    Shall the budget of the Newfane Central School District (the “District”), Niagara County, New York, for the fiscal year commencing July 1, 2024 and ending June 30, 2025, in the amount of $40,194,191.00, as presented by the Board of Education, is hereby approved and adopted and the required funds therefore shall be hereby appropriated and the necessary real property taxes required shall be raised by a tax on the taxable property in said District to be levied and collected as required by law.

                TOTAL

    YES                  348                                                     

    NO                   147

    BOARD ELECTION – Two for a 3 year term, One for a 1 year term

    CANDIDATE     TOTAL:

    Rachel Maziarz           334

    Corrie Murray             391

    Anthony Casinelli        301

    Emma Oudette            257

    BOARD ELECTION – WRITE-IN VOTES

    Write ins did not affect the outcome of the vote and are attached to this resolution.

  • Click here for a pdf of the 2024-25 Fund Balance and Reserve Plan:  2024-25 Reserve Plan

  • Click here for a pdf of the public budget documentation adopted by the BOE on April 16, 2024:  Public Budget Document

  • PROPOSITION NUMBER 1      2023-2024 BUDGET

    Shall the budget of the Newfane Central School District (the “District”), Niagara County, New York, for the fiscal year commencing July 1, 2023 and ending June 30, 2024, in the amount of $39,792,133, as presented by the Board of Education, is hereby approved and adopted and the required funds therefore shall be hereby appropriated and the necessary real property taxes required shall be raised by a tax on the taxable property in said District to be levied and collected as required by law.

                TOTAL:

    YES                  406                                                     

    NO                   207

    PROPOSITION NUMBER 2      ESTABLISHMENT OF A NEW CAPITAL IMPORVEMENTS RESERVE FUND, 2023

    RESOLVED, that the Board of Education (the “Board”) of the Newfane Central School District, Niagara County, New York (the “District”) is hereby authorized to establish a capital improvements reserve fund pursuant to Section 3651 of the Education Law of the State of New York (the “Fund”); that the Fund shall be known as the “Capital Improvements Reserve Fund, 2023” of the District; that the Fund shall be established for the purpose of financing, in whole or in part, the acquisition, construction, reconstruction, expansion, renovation, alteration and improvement of buildings, facilities, sites and real property by the District, or the District’s share of the cost of any capital improvements project undertaken by a Board of Cooperative Educational Services (“BOCES”) of which the District is (or may become) a component district, including, in all cases, the acquisition of necessary furnishings, equipment, machinery and apparatus; that the ultimate amount of the Fund shall be not greater than $5,000,000 (plus interest earned thereon); that the probable term of the Fund shall be not longer than ten (10) years; and that the permissible sources from which the Board is authorized to appropriate monies to the Fund from time to time shall be (A) budgetary appropriations of the District; (B) unappropriated fund balance of the District; (C) State aid received as reimbursement for expenditures by the District in connection with District capital improvements (whether or not such improvements were financed in whole or in part from the Fund); (D) proceeds from the sale of unneeded real or personal property owned by the District; (E) one or more other reserve funds of the District; and/or (F) such other sources as the Board or the voters of the District may direct from time to time, all as may be permitted by law.

                TOTAL:

    YES                  423                                                     

    NO                   187

    BOARD ELECTION – Two, for a 3 year term

    CANDIDATE     TOTAL:

    Santo Tomasine          339

    Melinda Bower           280

    Emma Oudette            251

    Cameron Seib              267

    BOARD ELECTION – WRITE-IN VOTES

    Write ins did not affect the outcome of the vote.

  • Click here for a pdf of the 2023-24 Fund Balance and Reserve Plan:  2023-24 Reserve Plan

  • Click here for a pdf of the public budget documentation adopted by the BOE on April 18, 2023:  Public Budget Document

  • PROPOSITION NUMBER 1      2022-2023 BUDGET

    Shall the budget of the Newfane Central School District (the “District”), Niagara County, New York, for the fiscal year commencing July 1, 2022 and ending June 30, 2023, in the amount of $36,720,516.00, as presented by the Board of Education, is hereby approved and adopted and the required funds therefore shall be hereby appropriated and the necessary real property taxes required shall be raised by a tax on the taxable property in said District to be levied and collected as required by law.

                TOTAL:

    YES                  483                                                     

    NO                   191

    PROPOSITION NUMBER 2      TECHNOLOGY CAPITAL RESERVE FUND

    RESOLVED, that the Board of Education (the “Board”) of the Newfane Central School District, Niagara County, New York (the “District”) is hereby authorized to establish a new capital reserve fund pursuant to Section 3651 of the Education Law of the State of New York (the “Fund”); that the Fund shall be known as the “Technology Reserve Fund, 2022” of the District; that the Fund shall be established for the purpose of financing, in whole or in part (A) the acquisition, installation, improvement, expansion or upgrading of technology-related equipment, machinery, systems or apparatus (collectively, “Technology Assets”), (B) the cost of renovating, reconstructing, altering, upgrading, furnishing and equipping various District buildings, facilities and sites to better accommodate the use of and/or instruction in such Technology Assets and (C) any related work required in connection with the foregoing; that the ultimate amount of such Fund shall be not greater than $2,000,000 (plus interest earned thereon); that the probable term of such Fund shall be not longer than ten (10) years; and that the permissible sources from which the Board is authorized to appropriate monies to such Fund from time to time shall be (A) amounts applied thereto from budgetary appropriations of the District; (B) unappropriated fund balance of the District as directed by the Board; (C) State aid received as reimbursement for expenditures by the District in connection with District technology-related initiatives (whether or not such expenditures were financed in whole or in part from the Fund); (D) the proceeds from the sale of unneeded real or personal property owned by the District, if permitted by law and if so directed by the Board; and/or (E) such other sources as the Board or the voters of the District may direct from time to time, all as may be permitted by law.

                TOTAL:

    YES                  489                                                     

    NO                   184

    PROPOSITION NUMBER 3      EQUIPMENT CAPITAL RESERVE FUND

    RESOLVED, that the Board of Education (the “Board”) of the Newfane Central School District, Niagara County, New York (the “District”) is hereby authorized to establish a capital reserve fund for equipment pursuant to Section 3651 of the Education Law of the State of New York (the “Fund”); that the Fund shall be known as the “Capital Reserve Fund For Equipment, 2022” of the District; that the Fund shall be established for the purpose of financing, in whole or in part, the acquisition of any equipment, machinery, or apparatus necessary for the maintenance, expansion, renovation, alteration and improvement of buildings, facilities, sites and real property by the District, including, in all cases, the acquisition of original furnishings, equipment, machinery and apparatus required in connection therewith; that the ultimate amount of such Fund shall be not greater than $1,000,000 (plus interest earned thereon); that the probable term of such Fund shall be not longer than ten (10) year years; and that the permissible sources from which the Board is authorized to appropriate monies to such Fund from time to time shall be (A) amounts applied thereto from budgetary appropriations of the District; (B) unappropriated fund balance of the District as directed by the Board; (C) State aid received as reimbursement for expenditures by the District in connection with District capital improvements (whether or not such improvements were financed in whole or in part from the Fund); (D) the proceeds from the sale of unneeded real or personal property owned by the District, if permitted by law and if so directed by the Board; and/or (E) such other sources as the Board or the voters of the District may direct from time to time, all as may be permitted by law.

                TOTAL:

    YES                  475                                                     

    NO                   197

    BOARD ELECTION – Three, for a 3 year term

    CANDIDATE     TOTAL

    Emma Oudette            283

    Christina Courtemanche         202

    Noah Everett   379

    Rob Dunn        408

    James Schmitt 337

    Melanie Stefanoski     203

    BOARD ELECTION – WRITE-IN VOTES

    Write ins did not affect the outcome of the vote.

  • Click here for a pdf of the 2022-23 Fund Balance and Reserve Plan:  2022-23 Reserve Plan

  • Click here for a pdf of the public budget documentation adopted by the BOE on April 19, 2022:  Public Budget Document