Cortland Schools Hosting “Meet the Candidates” Event Tuesday Evening – Click For Information on 2025-2026 Budget

The Cortland Enlarged City School District has announced the district will be hosting a “Meet the Candidates” event Tuesday evening from 6 to 7pm at the Kaufman Center on Valley View Drive in Cortland. Residents will have an opportunity to meet four candidates who are running for the School Board.

Those candidates are Joseph McMahon, Gavin Teeter, Brendan McGovern, and Donald Chu. Cortland Schools says a video of the event will be posted online through the district website afterwards for those who cannot make it. The four candidates will be on the ballot on May 20th along with the 2025-2026 School Budget for Cortland Schools. Residents will have the option to vote for three of the four candidates.

On the ballot for the May 20th budget vote include five propositions. Those may be found below.

Proposition 1 – The District budget of $61,621,249. The District will be requesting a tax levy override with a 4.99% levy increase, which requires a 60% supermajority approval.

Proposition 2 – Purchase of one electric and three diesel buses. Cortland Schools says it is the ideal time to look into the purchase of one electric bus as the city is building a solar field next to the Kaufman Center and providing the district with one charger for free. The cost of the electric bus will also be the same as a diesel bus through some NYSBIP grant funding. Matthews Buses provided training for our local Emergency Response officers back on March 25 and 26.

Proposition 3 – Purchase of four diesel buses. This proposition will allow the district to continue its 5-year bus replacement schedule. This is only if Proposition 2 is not successful.

Proposition 4 – $7.7 million Capital Project. The scope of work for this proposed project includes full camera replacement in all school buildings, replacement of all PA systems in each school, the installation of an elevator at Randall Middle School, and the full renovation of the JSHS Upper Gym.

Proposition 5 – Cortland Free Library Budget of $473,724. More information on the library’s budget may be found HERE.

Residents of the Cortland Enlarged City School District are encouraged to vote. Polls will be open from 11am to 8pm. More information may be found HERE.