Annual School Vote and Board Member Election May 19, 2026
May 19, 2026 Ballot Information
Proposition I: 2026-27 Operating Budget - $131,659,368
Reflects a commitment to strategic resource allocation—examining every investment through a critical lens to ensure maximum impact for students, while fiscal responsibility remains paramount. The budget supports the following:
Maintaining class size guidelines and equitable elementary class sizes across all buildings
- Maintaining class size guidelines and equitable elementary class sizes across all buildings
- Equity in supplies and equipment across buildings
- Full integration of Pre-K in home buildings
- Budget remains within the tax cap levy at 2.59%
The Public Hearing on the 2026-27 Budget will be held on May 5, 2026, in the Orchard Park High School and live-streamed on the District’s Website.
Proposition II: Purchase and Financing of Buses, Related Equipment, and Supplies - $1,400,000
- New York State Transportation Aid funds expected to be received by the District are anticipated to offset a substantial part of the cost of the bus purchase
- District’s cost-effective, long-range plan to replace aging transportation vehicles (10 year replacement schedule)
- Will plan to purchase eight (8) diesel buses in 2025-26
Election of Three (3) Trustees to the Board of Education
Voters will be electing three candidates to the Orchard Park Central School District Board of Education. The terms of Mr. Steven Comeau, Mr. Edward Draves, and Dr. Jennifer Rogers will expire on June 30, 2026. Three individuals are running as candidates for the Board of Education for the three
1A on the Ballot – Edward Draves
2A on the Ballot – Tijuana Klas
3A on the Ballot – Erin Andol
Voting Location, Date, Time & Other Information
Voting will take place on May 19, 2026, in the Gymnasium of the Orchard Park High School from 7 am until 9 pm. Use only the Freeman Road entrance to the high school for safety reasons and access to the voting area (gym). Please remember to bring proof of residency, i.e. driver's license. Education Law Section 2018-c
The Erie County Board of Elections will be providing school districts with electronic poll books. You will be able to sign in at any table once you enter the polling place. Please have your ID (i.e. driver’s license or voter registration) ready for the poll workers.
The District shall require all persons intending to vote at any School District meeting or election for which registration is not required to provide one form of proof of residency. Upon offer of proof of residency, the District may also require the signature, printed name and address of each voter in accordance with NYS Education Law Section 2018-c and OPCSD Policy #1630.
Qualified Voter
Definition of a Qualified Voter - A qualified voter is a person who is:
(1) a citizen of the United States;
(2) eighteen years of age;
(3) a resident of the school district for at least 30 days prior to the vote;
(4) not otherwise prohibited from voting pursuant to Election Law § 5-106.
We look forward to seeing you at the vote on May 19, 2026!
Absentee & Early Voting Applications Information - May 19, 2026 Vote/Election
If you are unable to vote in person on May 19, 2026, and you are a qualified voter, you may request an absentee ballot.
If you wish to vote as an early mail voter and you are a qualified voter, you may request an early mail voting ballot.
An application for an absentee ballot / early mail voting ballot is attached below (please note that completed applications must be returned seven days prior to the election if the ballot is to be mailed). Applications (with the exception of military ballot applications) require an original signature and cannot be signed electronically.
Military Ballot Applications
Military voters, as defined in section 122.2(f) of the commissioner’s regulation, who are qualified voters of the District may apply for a military ballot by requesting an application from the District Clerk or by downloading the attached application below. Completed applications for military ballots must be received by the District Clerk no later than 5:00 PM on April 24, 2026. The application is also attached below.