Two levies on the ballot for Endicott schools

ENDICOTT — On this year’s special election ballot, the Endicott School District No. 308 Board of Directors proposed two levies: a Replacement Educational Programs and Operation (EP&O) levy and a Replacement capital levy.

The Endicott School District Board of Directors adopted Resolution No. 24-03 concerning a Replacement Educational Programs and Operation levy to finance educational programs and operation expenses not fully funded by the state.

Superintendent Tricia Jeffries said the EP&O levy covers programs such as parent educator staffing, welding, robotic classes and preschool expenses.

Jeffries said that though they partner with ECAPs on the preschool expenses, some of the funding comes from the levy. Levy funds also pay for athletics. “That’s probably the biggest one for us,” she said, that it also pays for middle school elective programs, including band, computer science, welding, and coding.

Jerries said for the levy replacement they have chosen to keep the same tax rate.

Endicott School District also has a Replacement Capital Levy on this year’s special election ballot for health, safety, and facilities improvements.

The Capital levy will be at a rate of $1.24/$1,000 assessed value, with an estimated levy amount of $186,647 in 2025 and an estimated amount of $192,246 in 2026. “We chose to do the same with the tax rate, so taxes will not go up,” Jeffries said.

Jeffries says the expiring levy funds helped them update the HVAC system in the building and learning spaces. “I am looking to possibly upgrade the HVAC system in the gym and hopefully replace the number of windows because they’re not UV-rated anymore,” Jeffries said, adding that the state requires mandated energy.

Jeffries said Endicott School is focusing on air quality with the amount of smoke in the fall, “We’ve upgraded our filters,” she said, adding that they’re trying to keep the air clear so students can breathe.

“I am hoping there will be enough to do some replacements of playground equipment, too, but we’ll have to see,” Jeffries said.

Jeffries said that the Endicott community has been a strong support system, “I am so grateful to the community,” she said.