The North Syracuse Central School District Board of Education unanimously adopted a tax levy of just over $71.8 million for the upcoming school year during their meeting on Monday, October 20, 2025. The 8-0 vote finalizes the tax warrant needed to support the district’s operating budget for the 2025-2026 fiscal year. The levy totals $71,824,352. The adoption comes after the board finalized the budget structure earlier this spring, aiming to balance educational programming with taxpayer impacts in the suburban district. While the tax levy sets the revenue to be raised by property taxes, the board also took significant steps regarding capital improvements and student safety during the session. **Safety and Capital Projects** Citing the need for ongoing maintenance and security enhancements, the board authorized the transfer of $1.9 million between capital project funds. The money moves from the "Site Work, Traffic, and Safety" category to the "School Building Improvements" fund. Superintendent of Buildings and Grounds Daniel Bowe noted that the transfer allows the district to address specific facility needs without returning to taxpayers for additional funding. These projects often include door lock upgrades, lighting improvements, and traffic flow corrections on school grounds. "We are able to utilize these reserves to keep our campuses safe and well-maintained," a district representative explained during the meeting. In a related move, the board awarded a contract worth $92,645 to Eastern Environmental for asbestos abatement. This work is required to ensure safety compliance across multiple district buildings before other renovations can occur. The firm was the lowest responsible bidder for the project. **Academic and Extracurricular Updates** The board approved the purchase of new educational materials, specifically allocating $158,000 for music textbooks. The purchase aligns with the district's curriculum cycle, ensuring the music department has up-to-date resources for its student musicians. Community support for extracurricular activities was also on display. The board formally accepted a generous donation of $6,000 from the Gillette Road Middle School PTA. The funds are designated to support student activities and events at the middle school, bolstering opportunities for students outside the traditional classroom setting. **Personnel Matters** The meeting included personnel decisions that will affect district staff. The board approved a new collective bargaining agreement with the Teaching Assistants Association. Additionally, the board accepted the resignation of an elementary school teacher, effective November 3, 2025, and appointed a leave replacement for a special education teacher at Roxboro Road Middle School. These personnel adjustments are routine as the district manages staffing levels to meet student needs throughout the school year. The North Syracuse Central School District serves over 9,000 students across multiple buildings in the northern suburbs of Syracuse. The next board meeting is scheduled for later this fall.