Dear St. Regis Falls CSD Community,

We look back on some district highlights from April and the beginning of May and look to continue strong through the remainder of the school year.

Some updates in this newsletter include:

• Adoption of the 2025-26 proposed budget

• The search for a permanent superintendent. After thorough review and discussion, the board of education selected five candidates to move on to the confidential first round of interviews

• Academic happenings and recognitions

• High school students competed in fun-filled activities during the mini Olympics, which happened the day before the spring break vacation

• Sweethearts & Heroes returned to the district

• Book fair May 12-16

• Blood drive on May 14

• Be sure to download the SRF Rooms app and check out the new features

• District calendar, important upcoming events, and school & district closure reminders

Thank you for your continued support and dedication to our school community. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me by email at wwalbridge@stregiscsd.org or via phone at (518) 856-9421, ext. 1007.

Go Saints!

Educationally Yours,

Wayne C. Walbridge

Interim Superintendent of Schools

Details of the 2025-26 proposed budget

• Proposed Budget: $10,394,747

• Budget Change: $603,167 or 6.16%

• Tax Levy Change: $47,167 or 1.50%

What's on the Ballot?

Proposition I: Budget Proposition

Shall the Board of Education of the St. Regis Falls Central School District be Authorized to expend the amount of $10,394,747 as a general fund appropriation for the 2025-2026 school year and to levy the necessary tax therefore upon the taxable property of the District.

Proposition II: 2025 Capital Reserve Fund

Resolved, the Board of Education of the St. Regis Falls Central School District is hereby authorized to establish a capital reserve fund pursuant to Section 3651 of the Education Law to be designated, “2025 Capital Reserve Fund” created to defray the cost of the construction, reconstruction and equipping of School District buildings, facilities, and land, including original equipment, machinery, apparatus, appurtenances, furnishings, land acquisitions, and other incidental improvements and expenses in connection therewith, and in order to accomplish the same, the Board is hereby authorized to establish the ultimate amount of such reserve fund to One Million Five Hundred Thousand Dollars ($1,500,000.00) inclusive of accrued interest and other investment earnings, with a probable term of ten (10) years. The Board of Education is hereby authorized to pay funds from the available fund balance, state aid reimbursement to the School District on account of capital projects, such other monies as the voters may direct, and/or other legally available funds of the School District to such reserve fund in an amount determined by the Board of Education up to the maximum authorized amount.

Proposition III: Vehicle Purchase - School Bus

Shall the Board of Education be authorized to Finance one school bus, inclusive of the necessary furnishing fixtures and equipment and all other costs incidental thereto, and expend a total sum not to exceed $141,849.00; which is estimated to be the total maximum cost thereof, and said amount, or so much thereof as may be necessary, shall be raised by the levy of a tax upon the taxable property of said School District and collected in annual installments as provided by Section 416 of the Education Law and, in anticipation of such tax, obligations of said school District, in the principal amount not to exceed $141,849.00; shall be issued.

Proposition IV: Pupil Transport Vehicle Purchase - Suburban

Shall the Board of Education be authorized to Purchase one Pupil Transportation Vehicle, inclusive of the necessary furnishing fixtures and equipment and all other costs incidental thereto, and expend a total sum not to exceed $65,000.00; which is estimated to be the total maximum cost thereof, and said amount, or so much thereof as may be necessary, shall be raised by the levy of a tax upon the taxable property of said School District and collected in annual installments as provided by Section 416 of the Education Law and, in anticipation of such tax, obligations of said school District, in the principal amount not to exceed $65,000.00; shall be Issued.

How can I learn more about the proposed 2025-26 budget?

The public hearing on the budget is scheduled for May 13 at 5:30 p.m. in the school library or auditorium.

Residents will receive a community budget newsletter and postcard in the mail. The budget newsletter can be accessed here.

When is the vote?

• Tuesday, May 20, 2025

• Noon - 8 p.m.

• School library - 92 North Main St., St. Regis Falls

In addition to voting on the 2025-26 proposed budget, district residents will also elect three members to the St. Regis Falls Central School District Board of Education. Two candidates filed nominating petitions, Darwin Kelley, Jr. and Nicholas Cicchinelli. Voters will also have the option to submit a write-in candidate. The three candidates with the highest number of votes will fill the available seats.

Darwin Kelley, Jr.

I am running for the board of education because I want to create a good working/learning environment for our staff and students.

Nicholas Cicchinelli

I am Nicholas A. Cicchinelli and I am running for the SRFCSD school board. I have served as an appointee on the board since August 2024.

l feel we have made many positive strides in that time as a school board and a school district. I very much appreciate the efforts of those who participate to create a positive culture, battling through differences of opinions to do the best we can for the students and our community.

Life can at times be unpredictable and at present it is uncertain whether I will be able to serve a multi-year term. Please factor this into your voting decision. I take this time to encourage you and those around you to participate and to be sure and get out and vote on May 20, 2025. Thank you.

• Tuesday, May 13 at 6 p.m.- Budget hearing.
• Tuesday, May 20- District annual meeting & budget vote & election. Polls open at noon. Board of education meeting at 6 p.m. Be sure to come vote!
• Tuesday, June 17 at 6 p.m.- Board of education meeting.

We are excited to share that 12 of our talented students have the incredible honor of having their artwork featured at the SUNY Plattsburgh Myers Art Gallery! Their masterpieces will be showcased alongside other exceptional middle and high school artists from Clinton, Essex, and Franklin county schools.

🖼️ Exhibition Dates: April 21st - June 6th
🏆 Awards Reception: May 2nd

Join us in celebrating the amazing achievements of our young artists! Congratulations to the following SRF students for their outstanding work:

6th Grade:

• Cora Rivers

• Lyla Arcadi

• Angel-Rose Elliott

• LilyAnn Brown

• Cortana LaBombard

• Grace Barkley

7th Grade:

• Melanie Verity

• Lilyanna Vanriper

• Trenton Woods

9th Grade:

• Abigail Rivers

• Tiara Batchelder

• Archie Guobaitis

Paige Hastings, Melanie Verity and Lucas White join Shayne Benware, Isabella DeCarr, Natalie Hartson, Bailey Leclerc, Zane Mossow, and Abigail Rivers as members of the Junior Honors Society.

Cooper Austin, Shayne Benware, and Sheamus Hastings join Karli Bonilla, Chester Damon, Lilly Sherman and Zaylee Sweet in the Honors Society.

The ceremony was a wonderful celebration of student achievement, bringing together inductees, their families, and our school community. Thank you to everyone for supporting our students!

Several of our writers were in attendance at today's book launch—and three had the courage to stand before a full audience and read their work aloud. Their words were moving, brave, and unforgettable.

This incredible moment wouldn’t have been possible without Mr. Crowley, whose unwavering encouragement, guidance, and advocacy helped lift our students’ voices to the page and beyond.

We’re also deeply grateful to everyone who supported this work—families, staff, the Adirondack Center for Writing, and our broader community. Your support helps make opportunities like this possible.

On the last day of school before students left for spring break, our high school classes competed in fun-filled activities. We loved having all of the school spirit and games!

Pat Fish, author of the book, Boredom School: For Those Bored in School, engaged the students in Circles.

He is the Circle and B.R.A.V.E. Youth Leadership System Specialist.

The book fair will be held May 12-16 in the school library. There will be a parents/caregivers night on Thursday, May 15 from 4 - 6 p.m.

The student council and the American Red Cross are hosting a blood drive on Wednesday, May 14 from 1 to 5 p.m. in the school auditorium, and they are looking for adults and students over 16 years of age to donate. It's not hard or painful, and it's critically important.

If students are 16, they need to see Mr. Crowley for a parental permission form. If students are 17 or older, they can sign up themselves using the QR code on one of the posters hanging around the school, or see Mr. Crowley.

Be sure to download the app to interact directly with your child(ren)'s teachers. All things SRF can be found using the app!

Check out the video below that highlights what's new!

The St. Regis Falls CSD District Event Calendar can be found on our website and the SRF App.

• May 29- spring concert
• June 10- Regents exam
• June 17, 18, and 20- Regents exams
• June 20- fun day
• June 23 at 9 a.m.- Pre-K graduation
• June 23 at 1 p.m.- Kindergarten graduation/moving
• June 23 at 6 p.m.- BOCES graduation/completer ceremony
• June 23-25- Regents exams
• June 27- last day of school
• June 27 at 6 p.m.- Class of 2025 graduation

• May 23- no school
• May 26- district closed for Memorial Day
• June 19- district closed for Juneteenth holiday