2024-2025 School Budget
May 21, 2024: NSCSD voters approve proposed budget
North Syracuse Central School District voters have agreed to the district’s proposed 2024-2025 school year budget with a 65,2 percent approval. A total of 1,846 votes were cast, with the final tally being 1,204 yes votes and 642 no votes on the $212,196,591 proposal. A bus proposition for $2,152,433 also passed with 1,268 yes votes and 579 no votes for a 68.7 percent approval. Voters also authorized the district’s use of capital reserve/debt service funds for ongoing construction projects with a 69.3 percent approval (1,271 yes votes/564 no votes). Additionally, the Salina Free Library proposition for $510,565 passed (76.3 percent approval) with 58 yes votes and 18 no votes.
Voters elected the following three candidates to the North Syracuse Central School District Board of Education for (three-year) terms beginning July 1, 2024:
- Beth Kramer (1,091 votes)
- Paul Farfaglia (1,022 votes)
- Mark Thorne (962 votes)
The following candidates were not elected:
- Andrew Matyasik (808 votes)
- Nicholas Edwards (800 votes)
The 2024-2025 tax levy increase of 2.98 percent is within the allowable tax levy limit as calculated under the state’s “tax cap” guidelines. Therefore, a simple majority was required for authorization. For details about the budget, visit the district’s budget website at www.nscsd.org/budget.
The 2024 school budget vote and board member election has been set for Tuesday, May 21, 2024. Polls will be open from 6 AM to 9 PM on May 21. New this year: The polling location for residents who live NORTH of Route 481 has been changed! Voters who live NORTH of Route 481 will now vote at the Michael J. Bragman Stadium at CNS High School (6002 Route 31 in Cicero) instead of Cicero Elementary School. Voters who live SOUTH of Route 481 will continue to vote at the Administrative Office Building (5355 West Taft Road in North Syracuse).
Budget FAQ
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Click here to view the budget newsletter online. |
News: May 1, 2024, District holding series of public meetings for budget proposal
News: April 19, 2024 - Proposed budget priorities student success
News: April 1, 2024 - Voters to elect three board of education members; petitions must be submitted by April 22
Voting
In order to vote in North Syracuse Central School District elections, you must be a United States citizen, 18 years of age or older and meet the following qualifications:
- A resident of the school District for at least 30 days prior to the vote;
- Not under sentence for a felony conviction and not adjudged mentally incompetent;
- Registered to vote in Onondaga County or the North Syracuse Central School District.
Voter Registration
If you are not yet registered to vote, you can register at the Office of the District Clerk (5355 West Taft Road, North Syracuse, New York) between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. any day when the office is open for business. Contact the District Clerk's Office by email to jherrera@nscsd.org or by phone to (315) 218-2131.
If you prefer to register to vote through the New York State Department of Motor Vehicles, click here.
Click here to learn more about voter registration in Onondaga County.
Absentee Ballots/Mail In Voting
New this year: all qualified voters in the North Syracuse Central School District are eligible to vote with a mail in ballot. The district is accepting applications for both mail in voting and absentee ballots.
Polling Locations
*NOTE Change in location! In May 2023, North Syracuse Central School District voters approved a change of polling location for residents living NORTH of 481. This group of voters will now vote at the Michael J. Bragman Stadium at Cicero-North Syracuse High School.
Board of Education Candidates
The Board of Education is the official policy-making body of the North Syracuse Central School District. The Board is composed of nine members who are elected by District voters to three-year terms. Members receive no salary for serving on the Board. The terms of three Board members expire each June 30 and those members may seek re-election at the annual budget vote. This year there are five candidates running for three vacant seats due to the expiration of terms. The three candidates receiving the highest number of votes will be elected to three-year terms (July 1, 2024 to June 30, 2027).
Each Board of Education candidate is responsible for providing information for his or her own biography. The District does not endorse one candidate over another and reserves the right to edit biographies for space purposes. Candidate biographies are listed alphabetically below. and candidate pictures are published if supplied.
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Nicholas Edwards is seeking a first term on the NSCSD Board of Education. Nicholas lives in North Syracuse and has been a devoted member of the NSCSD community for 35 years. As a graduate of CNS and OCM BOCES, Nicholas believes he understands the district’s values intimately. His professional journey includes owning a successful business chain, but he says his true passion lies in family and community. Nicholas prioritized raising his daughter, currently a fourth-grade student at Lakeshore Road Elementary, highlighting his commitment to family and education. Beyond his career, Nicholas volunteers to educate and mentor youth and teens in financial literacy, demonstrating his dedication to community development. As a self-employed financial professional, Nicholas brings valuable expertise to the table. With strong ties to the community, Nicholas is more than a candidate; he is a neighbor, a parent, and a passionate advocate for NSCSD’s improvement. |
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Paul Farfaglia is seeking reelection for a fourth term on the NSCSD Board of Education. He has served as President of the Board since 2019. Mr. Farfaglia and his wife Rosemary have lived in the NSCSD for 35 years. Their daughter, Courtney, is a 2006 graduate of Cicero-North Syracuse High School and 2010 graduate of Niagara University. Mr. Farfaglia is a retired teacher from the Jordan-Elbridge Central School District. He graduated from Canastota High School and earned degrees from Le Moyne College (BA in Biology with an education minor) and SUNY Oswego (Master of Biology). Mr. Farfaglia is a proud donor and active member of North Syracuse Dollars for Scholars. He currently serves on the North Syracuse Central School District Board of Education Executive, Policy, Audit and Legislative Committees. |
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Beth Kramer, Ed.D., is seeking a second term on the NSCSD Board of Education. She has lived in the NSCSD for the past 23 years, currently residing in Cicero. Kramer’s children, Raychel and Stephen, are both graduates of Cicero-North Syracuse High School. Dr. Kramer is an elementary school principal at Walberta Park in the Westhill Central School District. She graduated from New Hartford High School and went on to earn degrees from Le Moyne College (BA in English Education), Syracuse University (MS in Special Education), and St. John Fisher (Education Doctorate in Executive Leadership). She also earned a Certificate of Advanced Study in Administration from Syracuse University. Dr. Kramer is a former softball coach and religious education teacher at Sacred Heart Church of Cicero. |
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Andrew Matyasik is seeking a first term on the NSCSD Board of Education. Andrew is currently a student at Cicero-North Syracuse High School scheduled to graduate in June. Andrew has lived in the NSCSD his entire life, currently residing in Cicero with his family. Andrew plans to attend Syracuse University’s S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications in the fall. He intends to major in broadcast and digital communications. Andrew is a student-athlete on the Varsity golf, ice hockey and tennis teams. He is a member of National Honor Society, Unified Club and a broadcaster with the high school’s Northstar Network. Drew has been an official with USA Hockey since 2021. He officiates games at all age-levels, working between 2-5 games each weekend. He also works with the Syracuse Crunch Hockey Team in their equipment department. |
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Mark Thorne is seeking reelection for his third term on the NSCSD Board of Education. Mr. Thorne has lived in the NSCSD for the past 28 years, currently residing in Cicero with his wife Sandra, a teacher in the district. The couple’s daughters Lillian, Lauren and Madeline are all graduates of Cicero-North Syracuse High School. Mr. Thorne is a website application architect with Bloomberg Industry Group where he designs and develops website solutions. Mr. Thorne graduated from Jamesville-DeWitt High School and holds a BA degree in computer science from SUNY Potsdam. He currently serves on the North Syracuse Central School District Board of Education Policy and Budget Committees. |
Budget Presentations/Materials
Budget Public Hearing - May 7, 2024 at 6 PM
The following documents for the public hearing are available by clicking the links below:
