Andover Central School District

LEGAL NOTICE OF

BUDGET HEARING AND ANNUAL MEETING, ELECTION AND VOTE

(ANDOVER CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT)

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that a Public Hearing for the voters of the Andover Central School District (the “District”) on the District’s 2026-2027 proposed budget will be held on Wednesday, May 6, 2026 at 7:00 p.m. in Room 124 of the Andover Central School Building at 31 Elm Street in Andover, New York.

NOTICE IS ALSO GIVEN that the annual meeting, election and vote (the “Annual Vote”) of the Andover Central School District will be held on Tuesday, May 19, 2026 from 12:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. in Room 124 of the Andover Central School Building at 31 Elm Street in Andover, New York, for the purposes of (i) voting on the District’s proposed budget for the 2026-2027 fiscal year, (ii) voting on certain propositions that are described in more detail below and (iii) electing two members of the Board of Education of the District (the “Board”) for two terms to commence on July 1, 2026.

NOTICE IS ALSO GIVEN that the Board will have prepared and completed a detailed statement in writing of the amount of money which will be required during the District’s 2026-2027 fiscal year for school purposes, specifying the several purposes and the amount for each.  The amount for each purpose estimated as being necessary for payments to Boards of Cooperative Educational Services will be shown in full, with no deduction of estimated state aid.  The amount of state aid provided and its percentage relationship to the total expenditures will also be shown.  Such statement will be completed at least seven days before the budget hearing at which it is to be presented and copies thereof will be prepared and made available, upon request, to residents within the District during the seven-day period immediately preceding the budget hearing and during the 14-day period immediately preceding the Annual Vote, and may be obtained by any resident in the District at each school house in the District in which school is maintained during the hours of 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. on and after April 29, 2026, excluding Saturdays, Sundays and holidays, and in the District Office.

NOTICE IS ALSO GIVEN that that the election of members of the Board of Education will be held at the Annual Vote to fill two vacancies:

• A three-year expired term (ending June 30, 2026) previously held by Jessica Hutchison.
• A three-year expired term (ending June 30, 2026) previously held by Tashina Seaman.

The candidates receiving the largest number of votes for each specific seat will be elected to the three-year terms commencing July 1, 2026, and ending June 30, 2029. Candidates may be nominated for only one vacancy.

NOTICE IS ALSO GIVEN that all candidates for the office of member of the Board shall be nominated by petition.  Each petition shall be directed to the Clerk of the District (the “District Clerk”), shall be signed by at least 25 qualified voters of the District and shall state (i) the residence of each signer; (ii) the name and residence of the candidate; and (iii) a description of the specific vacancy for which the candidate is nominated, including the length of the term of office and the name of the last incumbent.  Each petition must be filed in the office of the District Clerk between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m., excluding Saturdays, Sundays and holidays, by April 20, 2026 at 5:00 p.m.

NOTICE IS ALSO GIVEN that the voting at the Annual Vote will consist of voting on the following propositions, as well as other such matters as may be lawfully presented at the Annual Vote:

PROPOSITION 1 – GENERAL BUDGET

Shall the following resolution be approved and adopted?

RESOLVED, that the proposed budget for the Andover Central School District (the “District”), for the fiscal year commencing July 1, 2026 and ending June 30, 2027, as presented by the Board of Education, not to exceed the amount of $12,500,000, is hereby approved and adopted and the required funds therefor are hereby appropriated and the necessary real property taxes required shall be raised by a tax on the taxable property in the District to be levied and collected as required by law.

PROPOSITION 2 – BUS PURCHASE USING MONIES ON HAND IN CAPITAL RESERVE FUND

Shall the following resolution be approved and adopted?

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education of the Andover Central School District (the “District”) is hereby authorized to expend an amount not to exceed $145,000 from funds on hand in the District’s existing capital reserve fund known as the 2017 Bus Purchase Reserve Fund, with such sums to be used for the purchase of one (1) 65-passenger school bus for use in the transportation program of the District, with the result being that such purchase shall have no impact on the tax levy of the District for the 2026 – 2027 school year.

PROPOSITION 3 – VEHICLE PURCHASE USING MONIES ON HAND IN CAPITAL RESERVE FUND

Shall the following resolution be approved and adopted?

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education of the Andover Central School District (the “District”) is hereby authorized to expend an amount not to exceed $75,000 from funds on hand in the District’s existing capital reserve fund known as the 2017 Bus Purchase Reserve Fund, with such sums to be used for the purchase of one (1) all-wheel/4-wheel drive passenger vehicle for use in the transportation program of the District, with the result being that such purchase shall have no impact on the tax levy of the District for the 2026 – 2027 school year.

PROPOSITION 4 – ESTABLISHMENT OF A BUS PURCHASE RESERVE FUND

Shall the following resolution be approved and adopted?

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education (the “Board”) of the Andover Central School District (the “District”) is hereby authorized to establish a new reserve fund pursuant to Section 3651 of the Education Law of the State of New York (the “Fund”); that the Fund shall be known as the “2026 Bus Purchase Reserve Fund”; that the Fund shall be established for the purpose of purchasing school buses, vehicles and equipment, and costs incidental thereto, that the ultimate amount of the Fund shall be not greater than $1,500,000 (plus interest earned thereon); that the probable term of the Fund shall be not longer than ten years, but the fund shall continue in existence until the voters shall determine that the original purpose for which the fund was established is no longer desirable and that the fund should be liquidated; and that the permissible sources from which the Board is authorized to appropriate monies to the Fund from time to time shall be (A) budgetary appropriations of the District; (B) unappropriated fund balance of the District as directed by the Board; and/or (C) such other sources as the Board or the voters of the District may direct from time to time, all as may be permitted by law.

PROPOSITION 5 – LIBRARY

Shall the following resolution be approved and adopted? 

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education of the Andover Central School District (the “District”) is hereby authorized to increase the amount of $25,000.00 to the amount of $60,000.00 toward support of the Andover Free Library, and said School District is authorized to levy and collect Taxes in said School District for the payment thereof.

NOTICE IS ALSO GIVEN that optical scan voting machines and e-poll books will be used to record the vote on the budget, on all propositions, and on the election of members of the Board.

NOTICE IS ALSO GIVEN that applications for early mail and absentee ballots may be obtained from the office of the District Clerk between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m., except on Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays.  Completed applications must be received by the District Clerk at least seven (7) days before the Annual Vote (May 12, 2026) if the ballot is to be mailed to the voter, or on the day before the Annual Vote, if the ballot is to be issued to the voter in person.  Early mail and absentee ballots must be received by the District Clerk not later than 5:00 p.m. on the day of the District Vote. A list of persons to whom early mail and absentee ballots are issued will be available for inspection by any qualified voter of the District in the Office of the District Clerk between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. until the day of the Annual Vote, except for Saturdays, Sundays and holidays. 

NOTICE IS ALSO GIVEN that military voters who are qualified voters of the District may apply for a military ballot by requesting an application from the District Clerk.  For a military voter to be issued a military ballot, the District Clerk must have received a valid ballot application by no later than 5:00 p.m. on April 20, 2026.  In a request for a military ballot application or ballot, the military voter may indicate a preference for receiving the application or ballot by mail, facsimile, or electronic mail.

BY ORDER OF THE BOARD OF EDUCATION

CANDACE UPDYKE, DISTRICT CLERK

ANDOVER CENTRAL SCHOOL

ANDOVER, NEW YORK 14806

Our school board is dedicated to fostering an environment where every student can achieve academic excellence and personal growth in a safe and supportive setting.

As elected representatives of our community, we are committed to making informed decisions that shape the future of our schools. Our responsibilities include:

• Policy Development: Crafting and implementing policies that promote high educational standards and equity.
• Budget Oversight: Ensuring that financial resources are allocated efficiently and effectively to support student learning and well-being.
• Superintendent Supervision: Collaborating with and providing oversight for the Superintendent to ensure the district's strategic goals are met.
• Curriculum and Instruction: Evaluating and approving curricula that meet the diverse needs of our students and prepare them for future success.
• Facilities Management: Overseeing the maintenance and improvement of school facilities to provide a safe and conducive learning environment.
• Community Engagement: Encouraging active participation from parents, students, teachers, and community members to foster a collaborative educational community.

Our mission is to support every student in reaching their full potential by prioritizing safety, equity, and excellence in all our decisions. We invite you to explore our initiatives, participate in our meetings, and join us in our dedication to student success and safety.