2026 BUDGET VOTE

Date: Tuesday, May 19^th, 2026
Time: 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Location: Elementary School Library Media Center 

SCHOOL BOARD ELECTION INFORMATION

The Cato-Meridian Central School District will have two (2) vacancies on the Board of Education that shall be voted upon at the annual budget vote and election on Tuesday, May 19, 2026, each for a three-year term commencing July 1, 2026 and concluding June 30, 2029.  These vacancies arise from the expiration of terms of current board members Harmon Kent, III and Nathan Wallace.

If you are interested in becoming a candidate in the School Board Election, please request a petition packet which may be obtained from the District Clerk by calling 315-626-3439, ext. 5001 or emailing gmarriam@catomeridian.org. 

Board of Education members of the Cato-Meridian Central School District must meet the following qualifications:

• Age 18 years or older
• Citizen of the United States
• Able to read and write
• Residency in the Cato-Meridian Central School District for at least one (1) year prior to the date of the election
• Cannot be an employee of the Cato-Meridian Central School District
• Cannot live in the same household as a current board member

All petitions must be received by the District Clerk no later than Monday, April 20, 2026 at 5:00 PM.

Applications for early voting and absentee ballots for the May 19, 2026 Budget Vote & School Board Election may be requested by contacting the District Clerk at 315-626-3439, ext. 5001 or emailing gmarriam@catomeridian.org.  Applications will be accepted after April 20, 2026 (per New York State law, applications cannot be submitted more than 30 days before the vote). 

BUDGET FAQ

1. Where do Cato-Meridian Central School District Revenues come from?

• Real Property Tax Levy - 25.66%
  • Property taxes paid by local homeowners and business represent one quarter of the revenue for CMCSD.
• State Aid - 69.46%
  • School & Building Aid from New York State comprise the largest portion of financial support for CMCSD.
• Other - 4.88%
  • Other local income sources include charges for service, interest, BOCES refunds, and District Reserve Funds.

2. What happens if the budget is defeated?

Under NYS Law, if the proposed 2026-2027 budget is defeated by voters, the CMCSD Board of Education will have the option of putting the same or a revised budget up for a revote, or adopting a contingent budget. If voters reject the proposed budget twice, the district must adopt a contingent budget.

Adopting a contingent budget would prohibit CMCSD from spending money in certain areas, including community use of school facilities, new equipment services, non-essential maintenance, capital expenditures (except in emergencies), salary increases for non-union employees, and certain field trips and student supplies. Contingency rules also cap the growth of the administrative component of the budget.  Under the law, if CMCSD adopts a contingency budget, the district would be required to keep its 2025-2026 tax levy.

3. What will my actual tax rate be?

Tax rates are calculated in August once property values are finalized by town, county or state assessors. They are also impacted by final equalization rates from New York State. The school tax levy is only one portion of the tax rate formula.

4. What will the impact on my tax bill be?

The anticipated tax per $100,000 of assessed home value with the basic STAR exemption is estimated to increase $35.00.