05/09/2026
Dear Town of Stanford resident: If you reside within the Pine Plains Central School District, we are writing to you to encourage you to make your voice heard and vote in the forthcoming May 19, 2026 school district election at which school district residents will vote on whether to approve a $40.78 million spending plan that would exceed the state tax cap by 1.03%, thereby requiring a supermajority to pass. Voters will also be asked to approve the purchase of two 71-passenger buses and three 35-passenger buses totaling $750,276.55.
As you may know, per pupil expenditures within the school district are easily the highest of any school district within Duchess County, and the school district has been struggling to figure out ways to consolidate operations and achieve necessary economies in the face of a substantial decline in student population in recent years.
We recognize that members of our community have differing views on the subject of school budget issues and their implications for the property taxes that largely finance our schools. We do not take a position on whether residents should vote one way or another on the budget. But we do strongly encourage all residents eligible to vote in this election to do so.
Historically, school district elections attract an extremely low voter turnout, which in turn allows a very small minority of our community to dictate important policy, especially on tax issues. This year, given the importance of the budget issue and its significant impact on property taxes in our community, we think it is particularly important that all members of our community turn out to make their voice heard and vote.
In-person voting for the election will be held on Tuesday, May 19 at Stissing Mountain High School cafeteria from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Early mail and absentee ballots can be obtained online, at the school, or by calling District Clerk Julia Tomaine at 518-398-7181, Ext. 1408. Ms. Tomaine must receive the completed ballots no later than 5 p.m. on Tuesday, May 19.
Members of the Town of Stanford Republican Committee are happy to discuss this issue with residents.