School Budget

As of 10 PM on Tuesday, May 21, 2024 - Preliminary Results



Voters in the Elmira City School District approved one proposition and elected three candidates to school board seats.


Budget Vote Preliminary Results | 2024-2025 Budget Proposition

• Proposition #1: Approval of the District’s proposed 2024-2025 General Fund Budget of $150,716,226: Passed
(Yes 669 = , No = 186)

School Board Preliminary Results

*Voters also elected three candidates to serve on the Board of Education. In the running were: Michele L. Johnson, Michael S. Hamilton, Michael A. Thomas, William J. Finnerty and Gerald A. Holleran.

Three seats are for three-year terms, which will run from July 1, 2024 to June 30, 2027. Below are the candidates receiving the highest number of votes:

Jerry Holleran - 559
William Finnerty - 517
Michele Johnson - 503

Michael Thomas - 383
Michael Hamilton - 362

*ALL RESULTS ARE PRELIMINARY FIGURES | Official Election Results will be certified on Wednesday, May 22, 2024.


2024-2025 Annual School Budget Vote, Board Election Information, and Budget Hearing



Budget Hearing
May 13, 2024 at 5:00 PM 
The Budget Hearing will be held at the District Administration Building located at 430 W. Washington Ave. in Elmira, NY
>>Download the Budget Hearing presentation (.PDF)

Board of Education Candidate Forum
May 13, 2024 at 6:00 PM
The Candidate Forum will be held at the District Administration Building located at 430 W. Washington Ave. in Elmira, NY

Annual Budget Vote and School Board Election
May 21, 2024 from 7:00 AM - 8:00 PM 

Where Do I Vote?
School District voters residing North of Chemung River (including residents of the Lowman area) vote at Ernie Davis Academy located at 933 Hoffman Street. School District voters residing South of Chemung River (including residents of Golden Glow area) vote at Elmira High School located at 777 S. Main Street. 

>>More about voter information and qualifications, polling locations, absentee ballot process, and District Clerk contact information

Board of Education Meeting to Canvas and Declare 2024-2025 Budget Vote and Election
May 22, 2024 at 5:00 PM
District Administration Offices
430 W. Washington Ave.
Elmira, NY 14901


What is on the Ballot?

Proposition 1 | Approval of Budget

RESOLVED, that the proposed $150,716,226 General Fund Budget of the Elmira City School District, Chemung County, New York for 2024-2025 be approved in accordance with Section 2022 of the Education Law and that the balance of said budget, after applying public monies thereto, be raised by a tax upon the taxable property of said district.

>>Download the full 2024 Spring Budget Newsletter here (.PDF)
>>Download the full 2024 Spring Budget Book (.PDF)

2024-2025 Budget NewsletterBudget Book


2024-2025 Budget Presentations to the Board of Education

>>Budget Presentation to the Board, March 20, 2024
>>Budget Presentation to the Board, April 3, 2024
>>Budget Presentation to the Board, April 17, 2024
>>Download the May 13, 2024 Budget Hearing presentation (.PDF)


Questions?

Elmira City School District
Anne Mayer, District Clerk
Board of Education Administration Office
430 W. Washington Avenue
Elmira, NY 14901
607-735-3010
info [@] elmiracityschools.com


Board Member Election

Three (3) seats on the Board of Education are to be filled at the Annual Budget Vote and School Board Election to be held on May 21, 2024. The three (3) candidates receiving the highest number of votes will be elected to three-year terms commencing July 1, 2024, and expiring June 30, 2027, to fill vacancies created by the expiration on June 30, 2024, of the terms of Board members Gerald Holleran, Michele Johnson, and Ronald Shaw.

Five candidates are running for three available seats; Michele L. Johnson, Michael S. Hamilton, Michael A. Thomas, William J. Finnerty, and Gerald A. Holleran.  Please find information below on the candidates. Per election requirements, candidates are listed in the order based on drawing for ballot position.

The below information has been provided by each candidate:

Michele Johnson   

Michele L. Johnson

Education Summary:

AS Accounting – Midlands Technical College, Columbia, SC
BS Accounting – Limestone College, Gaffney, SC
MPA- Keller Graduate School of Mgmt.
MSE- Adult Education- Elmira College, Elmira, NY

Career Summary:
Elmira Native and resident with a 30+ year career that includes Financial Analyst, Administrative Director, CFO, and CEO roles. Currently operating as a Sr. Leader and Community Engagement Specialist.

Why I want to Serve on the Board of Education

"I’d like to be re-elected to the Elmira City School Board because I value our community and the important role of education in our children’s lives. As a board member, I’ve learned the multitude of ways we support student success and I’m excited to be part of continued opportunities to help them achieve."
     
Michael Hamitlon   

Michael S. Hamilton

Education Summary:

Notre Dame High School Class of 1979
Corning Community College 1981-83
Accredited Buyer Representative 1999 (ABR)
Graduate of Realtor Institute 2005 (GRI)

Career Summary:

NYS Licensed Realtor Since 1995
Owned and Operated Hamilton Home Realty & Associates 2005-2013
Elmira/Corning Board of Realtors President 2010
Elmira/Corning Realtor of the Year 2008
Elmira/Corning Board of Directors 2008-2022
NYS Board of Directors 2016- 2022
NYS Association of Directors 2016-2022
NYS Association of Realtor Political Coordinator (SPC) 2014-2022

Why I want to Serve on the Board of Education:  

"A quality education FREE from political or ideological influences, is the driving force of a FREE society."
     
Michael Thomas   

Michael A. Thomas

Education Summary:

Williamson Jr Sr High School (1982-1985)
US Naval Nuclear Power School
Numerous College Courses
Multiple Trade School Classes
Boy Scouts of America Eagle Scout

Career Summary:

US Navy Veteran
Elmira City School District; Maintenance Mechanic (32 years of service)
Elmira City School District CMCW Union Leadership (6 years as President)
East Hill Volunteer Fireman

Why I want to Serve on the Board of Education:  

"Perform my civic duty to ensure the district provides the best education for all students inclusive of diversity safety and fiscal constraints. Be an advocate for parents and taxpayers concerns."
     
William Finnerty   

William J. Finnerty

Education Summary:

Notre Dame High School Class of 1991 NYS Regents Diploma
Le Moyne College May 1995 Political Science
Alfred University December 2002 Masters – Education

Career Summary:

Elcor Health Services – HR Coordinator
SCT BOCES – Adult Education Counselor
Chemung County DSS – Investigator/Counselor
Horseheads Central School District – Secondary Social Studies Teacher

Why I want to Serve on the Board of Education:  

"I want to ensure that all children of the district have access to the same opportunities and give the taxpayers a school system that they can be proud of."
     
Gerald Holleran   

Gerald A. Holleran

Education Summary:

Advanced Certificate of Aerospace Studies, USAF Air University, AL. 1998
USAF Air War College, Air University, AL. 1996
USAF Air Command and Staff College, AL. Top Tier Graduate. 1993
Master of Science Degree in Management. Troy State University, AL 1989.
USAF Squadron Officer School AL. Distinguished Graduate. 1986
USAF Officer Training School, TX. Distinguished Graduate. 1979
Bachelor of Science Degree in Education. University of Central Oklahoma. 1977
Associate Degree in Educational Philosophy. Oklahoma City University. 1975
NYS Regents Diploma. Penfield High School, NY. 1973

Career Summary:

Education:

SUNY Cortland Student Teacher Supervisor, Secondary English, 2021 to present.
NYS permanent dual certification in Secondary English and Special Education.
Completed 21 years, English/Language Arts instruction; retired, ECSD, 2020.
CCC Certificate of Recognition as a “Teacher Who Inspires,” 2019.
CCC Colleague Award for “Exemplary Educational Contributions to Students,” 2018.
Broadway Middle School “Teacher of the Year,” 2005-2006.
Intervention Specialist, GST BOCES Alternative High School, 2003-2004.
Writing Program Instructor, Elmira College, 2001-2003.
Head of Chemung Valley Montessori School, 1999-2001.

Military Service:

United States Air Force, Lieutenant Colonel, retired, 1999.
Advanced through a host of assignments throughout the United States and Europe.
Recognized as Field Training Group Commander of the Year, 1992.
Recognized as Military Training Instructor of the Year, 1986.
Awarded highly selective, merit-based Master Instructor Rating, 1984.
Awarded Commander’s Badge, Master Maintenance Badge and Missileman Badge.
Awarded USAF Meritorious Service Medal with four oak leaf clusters (outstanding mission accomplishment x 5).
Awarded USAF Commendation Medal with oak leaf cluster (exceptional duty performance x 2).
Awarded USAF Achievement Medal (act of heroism).

Why I want to Serve on the Board of Education:  

• "I was born, bred and raised in Elmira, the youngest of six children in an Irish-Catholic family. The core philosophy of my life has been the concept of service before self for the betterment of all."
• "Following military service, the Elmira City School District provided me with a rewarding teaching career while providing and excellent quality of life for my family."
• "I firmly believe I have a personal responsibility to give back to our community."
• "I’ve been honored to serve as a board member for the past three years. As a Chairperson of the Policy Committee, I’ve witnessed the amazing efforts of teachers, staff and district leadership to overcome a myriad of obstacles related to educating our students."
• "If given the opportunity to return to the school board, my goal remains to identify positive and innovative ways to best serve the future needs of every student in our district."
• "I have been and will continue to be an advocate for higher wages, increased staff recognition, smaller class sizes and safer buildings."