Voters Reject 2025-26 School Budget Proposal; Elect 4 Board Members

On May 20, the Jordan-Elbridge School District voters rejected the district’s proposed $39,585,000 spending plan for the 2025-26 school year. The proposal, which included an estimated 1.5% tax levy increase, received 223 yes votes and 252 no votes—an approval rate of 46.9%. A simple majority was required for the budget to pass, and the district’s proposed tax levy increase remained within the state-calculated tax levy limit.

“When we developed this budget, our goal was to protect student opportunities and preserve the quality of education in our schools,” said Superintendent James Froio. “We understand this is a challenging time for many in our community, and we appreciate everyone who took the time to vote. We will now work with the Board of Education to carefully consider our next steps.”

Under state law, when a proposed budget is defeated, the Board of Education has three options: present the same budget to voters a second time, present a revised budget, or adopt a contingent budget with no tax levy increase. If voters reject the budget a second time, the district must adopt a contingent budget.

The Board of Education and administration will meet in the coming days to determine the next steps. The statewide school budget revote date is scheduled for June 17.

In addition to the budget proposal, voters considered two additional propositions and the Board of Education election:

• Elbridge Free Library funding was approved: 289 yes, 186 no
• Jordan Bramley Library funding was approved: 276 yes, 200 no

Voters also elected four candidates to the Board of Education. The top three vote-getters secured full three-year terms beginning July 1, 2025:

• Jodi May (362 votes)
• Tabitha DelCostello (332 votes)
• Matt Gardiner (320 votes)

Sara Aaserud (301 votes) was elected to serve a one-year term to fill a currently vacant seat on the Board.