Save the date! Polls will be open on Tuesday, May 20, 2025, from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. in Room 418 at Salem Central School High School. A public hearing will be held on May 6, 2025 at 6 p.m. in the High School Auditorium.

You can learn more about the vote on this page. In May, you will receive a community newsletter in your mailbox informing you of the proposed budget in your mailbox.

Each spring, the Salem Central School District Board of Education adopts a proposed budget for the upcoming school year, which requires voter approval. The budget will be discussed at the meetings listed below. A public hearing will be held on May 6, 2025 at 6 p.m. in the High School Auditorium, 41 East Broadway, Salem, NY.

• February 11: Budget Workshop in the High School Library at 6:00 pm Click here for Video

• March 4: Budget Workshop in the High School Library at 6:00 pm (postponed until 3/12/2025)

• March 12: Budget Workshop in the High School Library at 6:00 pm Click here for Video

• March 25: Budget Workshop in the High School Library at 6:00 pm (postponed until 3/31/2025)

• March 31: Special Meeting in the High School Library at 6:00(moved to Auditorium) Click here for Video

• March 31: Budget Workshop in the High School Library at 6:00 pm (moved to Auditorium) Click here for Video,

  Click here for Dr. Rick Timbs' Presentation

• April 8: Budget Workshop in the Auditorium at 6:00 pm

• April 17: Budget Workshop in the Auditorium at 6:00 pm

• April 21: Last day to submit candidate nomination petitions Click here for a Nominating Petition

• May 6: Budget Hearing in the High School Auditorium at 6:00 pm, Capital Project Hearing to be held immediately after

• May 12: Last day for District Clerk to receive Early mail and Absentee Application if the ballot is to be mailed to the voter.

• May 19: Last day for District Clerk to receive Early Mail and Absentee Application if the ballot is to be delivered personally to the voter.

• May 20: Annual Budget Vote and Election at 8:00 am - 8:00 pm in Room 418 in the High School, enter at the Circle entrance.

To be eligible to vote, residents must live in the school district for at least 30 days prior to the May 20 election, be at least 18 years of age and be a citizen of the United States. Voters may be asked to provide proof of residency.

This year we have one (1) Board of Education seat open. Peter Thomas' term will end on June 30, 2025. If you are interesting in running for the Board please contact the District Clerk, Regina Eastman, at 518-854-7855 or reastman@salemcsd.org for more information. This is a three (3) year term starting on July 1, 2025 to June 30, 2028.

• NYSSBA Guide

• NYSSBA The School Board Member Experience

• Nominating Petition

Homeowners who meet certain eligibility requirements through the New York State School Tax Relief Program (STAR) can have a portion of their home’s assessed value exempt from school property taxes. Learn more about the STAR program here.

Who May Apply for an Early Mail Ballot
Any eligible voter may apply for an early mail ballot. Each person must apply for themselves.

How to Apply for an Early Mail Ballot
You may pick up an application at the District Office or click here for your Early Mail Ballot Application.

Deadlines for Early Mail Ballot
May 13, 2025 - Last day for District Clerk to receive application if the ballot is to be mailed to the voter.

May 19, 2025 - Last day for District Clerk to receive application if the ballot is to be delivered personally to the voter.

Who May Apply for an Absentee Ballot

You may qualify to vote absentee for the following reasons:

• Temporary or permanent illness or physical disability

• Primary care giver of one or more individuals who are ill or physically disabled

• Absence from school district on election day

• Resident or patient of a Hospital

• Detained in jail/prison, awaiting trial, awaiting action by a grand jury, or in prison for a conviction of a crime or offense which was not a felony.

How to Apply for an Absentee Ballot

You may pick up an application at the District Office or click here for your Absentee Ballot Application

Deadlines for Absentee Ballot

May 13, 2025 - Last day for District Clerk to receive application if the ballot is to be mailed to the voter.

May 19, 2025 - Last day for District Clerk to receive application if the ballot is to be delivered personally to the voter.

Who May Apply for a Military Ballot

You may qualify to be a military voter if you are a qualified voter of New York State and one of the following reasons pertain to you:

• Is an actual military service and, by reason of that military service, is absent from the District on the day of the vote

• Is discharge from the military service within 30 days of the vote

• Is a spouse, parent, child, or dependent of the previously described voter, accompanying or being with that voter, if a qualified voter of New York State and a resident of the District.

Education Law makes special provisions for military voters. Military ballots need to be delivered to military voters at least 25 days before the day of the election.

Also, whereas early mail and absentee ballots must be received by the voter by mail or in-person, a military voter may receive their ballot application and ballot by mail, email, facsimile, or in-person. Military ballots must be received by the District clerk by mail or in person and must be received no later than 5:00 p.m. on June 18, 2024 (the day of the vote).