2025-26 Budget Vote and Election

2025-26 Budget Total: $141,155,940

Appropriations 
Administrative: $12,730,223
Program: $105,719,078
Capital: $22,706,639
Total: $141,155,940

The following are estimates of revenue for the proposed budget. By state law, school districts must present a balanced budget (approximations = revenue) to the voters.

Revenues
Property Tax: $62,367,847
Other Property Tax Items: $823,831
Erie County Sales Tax: $8,850,000
State Aid (Various Types): $55,596,456
Interfund Transfers: $10,000
Local Revenues: $4,254,238

Use of Fund Balance
Use of Reserve Funds: $6,103,202
Appropriated Surplus: $3,150,366

At the April 22, 2025 board of education meeting, trustees adopted a $141.1 million spending plan that maintains all current educational offerings, instructional programs, and staffing. The budget reflects an increase of 4.95% percent and comes with 1.85% increase in the tax levy.

2025-26 Budget Details and Required Budget Notices
 

Budget Work Session #1: January 27, 2025

Budget Work Session #2: February 24, 2025

Budget Work Session #3: April 7, 2025

Mr. Talarico has been a resident of the Lancaster School District for 15 years, and a member of the Board of Education for the past 6 years. As the parent of a Lancaster student, Mr. Talarico has enjoyed being involved in a multitude of programs, such as volunteering for PTO events, and attending district concerts, performances, and presentations. He enjoys all the opportunities the district offers to all of its students and seeing how things are run at the ground level.

As a local business owner, Mr. Talarico has valuable knowledge of what it takes to make an organization run, and how leadership impacts the members of the group as a whole. During his tenure on the school board, he has used this professional knowledge to help guide decisions and be active in the planning and budgeting processes each year. He has held positions on the Health Care Committee, Audit Committee, School Safety Committee, and held voting delegate rights for the New York State School Boards Association (NYSSBA). Most recently he has served as the Vice-President of the board. Each role has given Mr. Talarico insight into how to better serve the district and community.

Regarding his candidacy for re-election, Mr. Talarico wants to continue the work we’ve done in the past 6 years driving this district forward into the future. From the major Capital projects the community has rallied behind, to continuing the excellent educational, artistic, and athletic programs the students and parents in this district have grown accustomed to.

Mr. Talarico has been married for 15 years to his wife Jennifer, an educator herself, first as a teacher in the Buffalo Public Schools, and now as a Professional Development Specialist at BOCES. Together, they have one daughter, currently in 5th grade at William Street. His role as a parent in the district gives him a personal stake in the success of the school system and a deep understanding of the needs and concerns of Lancaster families. He values the strong relationships he has built with teachers, parents, and students and takes great pride in being an active and approachable member of the school community.

My name is Melissa Payne Smith, and I’m excited to announce my candidacy for the Lancaster School Board. As someone who has spent nearly my entire life in this community, it feels natural to take this next step in service of the district that shaped me.

I’m proud to be a graduate of the Lancaster Central School District, and the experiences I had as a student here played a huge role in shaping my career path. My husband, Josh, is also a Lancaster graduate, and together we made the intentional choice to raise our family in this district because of the strong foundation and lasting impact our education provided.

After graduating from the University at Buffalo with a degree in Anthropology and Archaeology, I earned my MS in Education from Canisius University. I’ve spent the past 21 years teaching in the Pembroke Central School District, where I’m certified in Biology and Chemistry and have taught 7th and 8th grade science, along with Regents Chemistry. I’ve also served as the Science Department Chairperson for seven years and have been honored to be selected as a New York State Master Teacher.

Throughout my career, I’ve taken on leadership roles in mentoring new educators, designing curriculum, and facilitating professional development. These experiences have deepened my understanding of what effective, student-centered education looks like—and how important it is to support both students and educators in meaningful ways.

As a parent, I have a personal stake in the continued success of our schools. My son, Braden, is currently a freshman at Lancaster High School, and my daughter, Emma, is in 7th grade at Lancaster Middle School. I’ve seen firsthand the dedication of our teachers and the incredible range of opportunities available to students across grade levels.

If elected to the School Board, I will bring a balanced perspective as both an educator and a parent. I’m committed to maintaining high academic expectations, creating safe and engaging classrooms that encourage curiosity and connection, and making careful, transparent decisions about how we use district resources to support the needs of our students and staff.

I would be honored to represent our community on the Lancaster School Board. I truly believe in what this district stands for, the people who make it special, and all that we can achieve.

My name is Jonathan VanNortwick, and I am excited to be running for the Lancaster school board. I am currently a Project Manager at Rich Products, where I utilize my expertise in strategic planning and leadership to drive successful projects and initiatives. I hold a degree in Marketing from the University of Maryland and an MBA from the University of Buffalo, which have provided me with the knowledge and skills necessary to excel in my career.

Beyond my professional life, I have a passion for sports and music. These interests have been integral parts of my life. This year, I have the privilege of coaching youth travel baseball, which allows me to combine my love for sports with my dedication to mentoring and supporting young athletes.

I am also a proud family man. My wife, Sara, is an elementary school teacher, which has provided me familiarity with the education system.  We both grew up in Lancaster and are graduates of LHS, so we have a vested interest in the district and chose to raise a family here.  We have two wonderful daughters, Olivia (Freshman at LHS) and Avery (7th grade at LMS). Their support and encouragement have been invaluable to me, and they inspire me every day to make a positive impact in our community.

As a candidate for the school board, I aim to bring my unbiased perspective and genuine interest in the well-being of students to the Lancaster Central School District. My goals as a school board member are simple yet profound: to listen to the needs and concerns of students, parents, and educators, and to advocate for policies and decisions that will best serve the educational community. I am committed to being an approachable and responsive ear and voice, ensuring that the interests of the students remain at the forefront of all decisions.

With my diverse background, dedication to volunteerism, and clear vision for the future, I am poised to be an effective and impactful member of the Lancaster school board.