City school district voters approved a $138.3 million budget Tuesday for FY 2025-2026 and re-elected three board members in its annual election. The district’s referenda — for $19.75 million in capital improvements and to create a capital reserve fund of $10 million — both passed.
The new budget adds 13 instructional positions and calls for a 3.85% increase in the school tax levy.
The approved Proposition 2, for $19.75 million in capital improvements, is designed to enhance learning environments and infrastructure at Charles Upson Elementary School, Anna Merritt Elementary School, Emmet Belknap Intermediate School, Aaron Mossell Junior High School, and Lockport High School. The project will be fully funded through a combination of New York State Building Aid and existing capital reserves, so residents will not see an increase in their taxes.
Proposition 3, which authorizes the creation of a new Capital Reserve Fund in the amount of $10 million, will also have no tax impact.
The three candidates elected — Leslie Tobin with 670 votes, Sterling Pierce with 539 votes, and Tracy Caruso with 629 votes — will serve three-year terms.
In an interview Monday, Tobin, who is the school board president, said Lockport’s Board of Education has partnered with nearly 100 stakeholders in developing a five-year strategic plan.
Pierce said his priorities for the district will be to improve standardized test scores for schools on the watch list and deterring bullying. He said it takes home and school efforts to prevent students from bullying and he encourages parents to have more conversations that emphasize it’s not OK.
“I want to continue moving Lockport forward to becoming one of the best schools in the region,” Pierce said.