BY MATT LINDSEYNorth Country This Week

St. Lawrence County school district voters will head to the polls today to vote whether to approve school budgets, and elect board of education members.

Budget voting time varies by district, but is generally open 1 to 8 p.m.

Here is a rundown of proposed budgets and school board candidates for districts throughout St. Lawrence County:

• Potsdam Central district voters will be voting on a $41.1 million budget that raises taxes 2.5%. The total increase in the tax levy is $380,073 and the total amount being raised by taxpayers this year is $15,436,444. The school plans to add a mental health counseling position at the elementary school, and increase services to students with disabilities. Technology upgrades, occupational therapy services and enrichment opportunities like more field trips, P2Peeps and Arts in Education are also in the plans. This year, along with the budget and bus proposition, district residents will be voting on three board vacancies. Community members running for the Board of Education are: Joshua Fiske, David DeRushia, Lynzie Schulte, and Dora Richter. The school budget vote and Board of Education election will be held on Tuesday, May 21, from 7 a.m. until 8 p.m. in the Potsdam High School Auditorium.
• Canton Central district voters will be voting on a $41.8 million budget that raises taxes 6.5%. The total increase in the tax levy is $721,652 and the total amount being raised by taxpayers this year is $11,820,319. The 2024-25 budget includes cutting five teaching positions. Enrollment in the district is declining and cuts to the elementary teaching staff will keep class sizes at projected levels of 18 or under at pre-K—second grade levels and between 20-23 for Grades 3, 4 and 5. There will be a proposition to purchase three school vehicles. Voters will elect four members to the Board of Education. Three seats are three-year terms, and one seat is a one-year term.  Candidates are Christina Martin, Victor Rycroft, Wendy Todd and Sue Toshack.  Voting is from noon to 8 p.m. in the Hugh C. Williams Learning Resource Center.
• Massena district voters will be voting on a $72.3 million budget that will not raise taxes. The total amount being raised by taxpayers this year is $14,831,697 million.  The budget increase is about $2.5 million. School Board President Paul Haggett and Vice President Kevin Perretta are running for reelection but they will be challenged on the ballot by three newcomers as voters head to the polls on May 21. Richard Marshall, David Broadbent and Jamie Crosby will also appear on the ballot. Voters will also have a say on who will sit on the library board if the transition is successful. Current Board of Trustees President Joseph Savoca will be on the ballot, along with Vice President Jennifer Stokes, Secretary Patricia Ryan and Treasurer Linda McDonald. Michael Besaw and Roderick Cook will also be on the ballot as they also seek five-year terms on the board. District residents will head to the polls on May 21 to vote on the budget between 12-8 p.m. at the Massena Community Center.
• Norwood-Norfolk district voters will be voting on a $29.2 million budget that will not raise taxes. The total amount being raised by taxpayers this year is $6,534,756 million.   The budget increase is $375,263, or 1.3%. Voters will be asked to approve a budgetary provision for other purposes in the amount of $111,093 for a total of $29,224,205. Cruikshank said the provision for other purposes is so the district can take the aid from last year’s bus purchases and place that directly into its bus reserve. Proposition 2 would authorize a purchase of three student transportation vehicles not to exceed $417,469. Proposition 3 lists the three incumbents running for our Board of Education: They include Robert Barlow, James Dillon, Stephen Markum. The public is entitled to write-in a candidate, if they choose to. Voting takes place on May 21 from 12:30-8 p.m. at the school in the district boardroom.
• Ogdensburg City School district voters will be voting on a $55.2 million budget that will not raise taxes. The total amount being raised by taxpayers this year is $10,598,000 million.  The budget keeps all of the school’s existing programs. Last year a change in assessments and a decision to keep the levy flat led to a substantial drop in the tax rate from $27.49 to $22.29 per $1,000 of assessed value.  The community will also select  two Board of Education members. Running for the open positions are Ronald Johnson  and Douglas Loffler. Each position will be for a five year team, beginning July 1. Voting takes place on May 21 from noon-9 p.m. at the Edgar A. Newell, II Memorial Golden Dome located at, 1100 State St.
• Gouverneur Central district voters will be voting on a $44.1 million budget that raises taxes 2.03%. The total increase in the tax levy is $140,638 and the total amount being raised by taxpayers this year is $7,066,189. The budget is $1,529,580, or 3.59% higher than last year, school officials said. In preparation for the New York State mandated shift to the use of electric vehicles and the district’s need to be  prepared for that shift, the proposed budget includes the purchase of five new diesel-powered buses and one new gasoline-powered Suburban. The budget also includes two fully grant-funded electric-powered vehicles. This will allow the district to determine the feasibility of using electric vehicles in the district. In addition to the budget, residents will be asked to elect four members to the Board of Education.  The candidates are incumbents Lisa McGregor, Nickolas Ormasen, Laurie Roberts, Laura Spicer; and Roland Roderick, who served as a board member from 2017-2020. Voting takes place May 21 from 1:30-8 p.m. in the high school auditorium.
• Brasher Falls district voters will be voting on a $31.6 million budget that raises taxes 2.2%. The total increase in the tax levy is $118,642 and the total amount being raised by taxpayers this year is $4,536.027.  For a home fully assessed at $100,000, the increase in taxes before the STAR exemption would be $3.54 per month or $42.42 for the year. The previous five year average tax increase for our district has been .942% (less than 1%). Proposition Two will ask voters to approve the purchase of three school buses and one student transportation vehicle. Proposition Three would authorize the creation of a Capital Reserve for future capital projects in an ultimate amount not to exceed $2,500,000, with a probable term of 10 years; and to authorize the Board to pay into the fund in the 2023-24 school year and annually thereafter. There are two vacant five-year seats up for grabs. Candidates include incumbent Julie Carvel-Liberty, Catherine ‘Cathy’ Henry, Lance Moulton, Lance St. Hilaire, and Sue Anne Hourihan. Voting takes place on May 21 from 1-8 p.m. in the middle school gym.
• Madrid-Waddington Central district voters will be voting on a $20.9 million budget that raises taxes 2.87%. The total increase in the tax levy is $137,517. The budget is 1.3%, or $261,793 higher than last year, school officials said. There will also be propositions for diesel and electric school bus purchases. There are two Board of Education seats open this year. A vote for a capital overlay project not to exceed $100,000 will be voted on. The project would go toward new windows in the elementary wing. Two incumbents, Bruce Durant and Robert Smith, are seeking reelection. Voters will be asked to okay the purchase of one 72-passenger bus and one 24-passenger bus. Voting is May 21 from 1 to 8 p.m.at the school.
• Colton-Pierrepont district voters will be voting on a $13.1 million budget that raises taxes 3.31%. The total increase in the tax levy is $273,280 and the total amount being raised by taxpayers this year is $8,539,686. The budget increased 7.6%, or $923,699. The district plans to cut one full-time guidance counselor position. The Board of Education seeks voter approval to utilize up to $11,500 of funds currently held in the district’s Capital Reserve Fund to support the purchase of a 60-passenger bus that is in the 2024-25 budget proposition. One four-year school board seat is up for grabs this year. The only candidate listed is Angela Villeneuve-Bronson. Voting takes place on May 21 from noon to 8 p.m. in the school auditorium.
• Parishville-Hopkinton district voters will be voting on a $13.2 million budget that raises taxes 2.15%. The total increase in the tax levy is $95,463 and the total amount being raised by taxpayers this year is $4,532,831. The district plans to reduce four positions, including an assistant principal, two elementary teachers and one teaching assistant. One teaching position and the assistant position will need to be cut through attrition. Propositions include the budget, establishing a $2.5 million capital reserve fund over the next 10 years, and electing two school board members. Running for five-year terms for seats of Cassie Hayes and Joseph McGill will be four candidates. They are April Fullerton, Cassie Hayes, Matthew Seaver and Matthew Wendig. Voting takes place on May 21 from 1-8 p.m. in the school auditorium.
• Hammond district voters will be voting on a $9.7 million budget that raises taxes 4.34%. The total increase in the tax levy is $178,417. The budget is $254,706 more than last year, school officials said. Four Teacher Aide positions will be cut due to programming changes. Voters will be asked to approve the purchase of new buses. Two give-year seats are up for grabs with Donald Ceresoli Jr. and Daniel Pease running for those seats.  Voting takes place May 21 from 1:30-8 p.m. in the school cafeteria.
• Hermon-DeKalb Central district voters will be voting on a $14.4 million budget that raises taxes 2.99%. The total increase in the tax levy is $81,439 and the total amount being raised by taxpayers this year is $2,796,073. The budget is 1.1%, or $158,522 higher than last year, school officials said. The budget calls for the addition of a Capital Outlay project for water upgrades and the addition of after, and summer school programming. Voters will be asked to approve a $250,000 proposition for a 65-passenger bus and an 8-passenger van.  There are two five-year Board of Education seats up for vote. Candidates are Ron Smith, incumbent; Michael Mac Cue, incumbent; Rebbeca Fenlong; Dale O'Donnell, and Kiera Warner. Voting is from 1-8 p.m. in the district cafeteria.
• Lisbon Central district voters will be voting on a $17.9 million budget that raises taxes 1.9%. The total increase in the tax levy is $75,553 and a total of $4,052,12 will be raised by taxpayers. The budget is 4.19%, or $723,189 higher than last year, school officials said. There is no loss in staffing or programming; and the school plans to add an additional halftime art position. Voters will be asked to approve the purchase of two diesel powered, 72-passenger buses. Voters will also vote on Proposition 3 which adds a student Ex-Officio member on the board of education. Three five-year term seats are open this year. The four candidates running are incumbents Jen Gray and Angela Clear, as well as newcomers Jennifer Grant and Ryan Beshaw. Voting is May 21 from 1 to 9 p.m. in the main lobby at the school.
• Morristown Central district voters will be voting on a $11.5 million budget that raises taxes 2.34%. The total increase in the tax levy is $96,122 and the total amount being raised by taxpayers this year is $4,296,351. The budget is .24% higher than last year, school officials said. There are three board member vacancies with three-year terms. Candidates are Jeffrey LaJoy, Scott Ritchie and Chelsea VanArnam. Voting takes place May 21 from noon to 8 p.m. in the main lobby of the school.
• Edwards-Knox Central district voters will be voting on a $17.8 million budget that raises taxes 3%. The total increase in the tax levy is $60,155 and the total amount being raised by taxpayers this year is $2,065,320. The budget is 5.1%, or $869,885 higher than last year, school officials said. There will also be propositions for diesel and electric school bus purchases. There is one five-year term Board of Education seat open this year. Dr. John ‘Jack’ Zeh, an incumbent, is the sole candidate. Voting is May 21 from noon to 8 p.m. in the main gym at the school.
• Heuvelton district voters will be voting on a $18.2 million budget that raises taxes 2.25%. The total increase in the tax levy is $85,864 and the total amount being raised by taxpayers this year is $3,893,948. The budget is $1,750,661, or 10.6% more than last year, school officials said. There is a library proposition to approve a levy and collect an annual tax, year after year, separate and apart from the annual school district budget, the additional amount of $20,000 (above the current amount of $20,000, for a new amount of $40,000), which will be paid to the Heuvelton Free Library for the support and maintenance of the library; with this appropriated amount to be the annual appropriation until thereafter modified by a future vote of the electors of the Heuvelton Central School District. Two Board of Education seats will be voted on. Candidates include Mark Kearns and Christopher Riordan. Voting takes place May 21 from 1-8 p.m. in the school auditorium.
• Clifton-Fine district voters will be voting on a $11.6 million budget that raises taxes 1%. The total increase in the tax levy is $44,083 and the total amount being raised by taxpayers this year is $4,452,399. The budget is the same dollar amount as last year, school officials said. A school psychologist will increase her time in the school to four days per week, previously it was 2-3 days. Voters will be asked to approve funding for one electric bus. School board candidates vying for three-year terms for three seats include incumbents Lynne Backus, Roger Benjamin and John Perrault. Voting takes place May 21 from noon-8 p.m. in the main lobby at the school.
• Harrisville Central district voters will be voting on a $11.7 million budget that raises taxes 3.99%. The total increase in the tax levy is $170,191 and the total amount being raised by taxpayers this year is $4,433,500. The budget is 1.8%, or $210,228 higher than last year, school officials said. The budget  includes the reduction of at least four full-time equivalent (FTE) positions through staff retirements and resignations. The reductions include one teacher position, two teaching assistant positions and a cleaner position. Voters will be asked to approve purchases of one 70-passenger school bus and one 66-passenger school bus. Harrisville voters will elect two members to the board of education, both five-year terms. Incumbents Kathy Felio and Tennille Schmitt are the candidates on the ballot. Voting is from noon to 8 p.m. May 21 in the school library.
• Salmon River Central district voters will be voting on a $38.6 million budget that raises taxes 2%. The total increase in the tax levy is $39,151 and the total amount being raised by taxpayers this year is $1,996,719. The budget is 4.8%, or $1,787,107 higher than last year, school officials said. The proposed budget preserves smaller class sizes, supports social and emotional programming, expands summer programs and continues initiatives to increase graduation rates. Voters will be asked to approve purchasing go vehicles to transport students. Also, a vote will be held for construction and installation of an approximately 16 acre, 5 megawatt solar array at a total maximum estimated cost of $16,000,000. Three five-year term Board of Education seats will be filled. Two incumbents are running: Agnes ‘Sweets’ Jacobs and Shelley Jacobs. A write-in candidate will fill the third seat. Voting is from noon to 8 p.m. May 21 in the school board room, enter at Door #4.