2025-26 Budget Vote & BOE Election

• March 11 Budget Workshop Presentation
• April 8 Budget Presentation
• 2025-26 Budget
• May 13 Budget Hearing Presentation
• Budget Notice Postcard

School Board Candidates

Frank Galeazzo, an incumbent, is seeking his third term on the Board of Education. He currently serves on the board’s Policy and Finance committees. Mr. Galeazzo and his wife, Elizabeth, have been City of Jamestown residents for 20 years and have two children: Bradley, a 2022 JHS graduate, and Ashlyn, a senior at JHS. Mr. Galeazzo is a graduate of SUNY Alfred State and is currently the Information Services Manager at the Jamestown Board of Public Utilities. He was previously involved in local and regional PTA organizations.

Joseph Pawelski, an incumbent, is seeking his fourth term on the Board of Education and was elected vice president of the board in 2024. Prior to his last three terms, Mr. Pawelski served for 20 years, the last five years as president, retiring from the Board in 2008. He lives in Jamestown with his wife, Casey, and is the father of two children, Tom and Carrie, who are proud graduates of Jamestown Public Schools. Carrie is the Band Director at Jefferson Middle School. Mr. Pawelski is retired after 40-plus years as a financial advisor, consultant and planner.

Petitions Available Beginning March 28, 2025

Petitions for the Jamestown Public Schools Board of Education Election on May 20, 2025 are available beginning Friday, March 28. 

At the May 20 Annual School Budget Vote and School Board Election, there will be two vacancies created by the expiration, on June 30, 2025, of the terms of Joseph Pawelski and Frank Galeazzo, with the two candidates receiving the highest vote totals each to be elected to a full three-year term to commence on July 1, 2025 and expire on June 30, 2028. 

Candidates must submit a completed petition containing the names of 100 or more qualified voters within the school district to be eligible for the May 20 ballot. Petitions are due back to the Superintendent’s Office, 197 Martin Road, Jamestown, N.Y., by 5 p.m. on Wednesday, April 30.

Petitions can be obtained from Ms. Frank and any questions about the Board of Education petition process, voter registration or absentee voting applications can be directed to Ms. Frank at (716) 483-4420 or by email at rhonda.k.frank@jpsny.org. 

Registration Information 

If a person is not currently registered to vote in the May 20 election, JPS District Clerk Rhonda Frank, is available to register any eligible voter between the hours of 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. on April 25 in the Administration Building at 197 Martin Road, Jamestown, N.Y. Any resident who is not registered with Chautauqua County Board of Elections is able to present themselves, in person, before Ms. Frank with proof of identification and residence in order to be eligible to vote on May 20.  

Applications for Absentee Ballots must be received at least 7 days before the election if the ballot is to be mailed to the voter.

Anyone who has a New York State Driver’s license may register to vote electronically through the Department of Motor Vehicles at https://dmv.ny.gov/more-info/electronic-voter-registration-application. 

Applications are also available for Absentee Voting or Early Voting 30 days prior to the election. Application forms and instructions may also be obtained in the Superintendent’s Office. 

Polling Sites

Jefferson Middle School
195 Martin Road
Jamestown, N.Y. 14701

Lincoln Elementary School
301 Front Street
Jamestown, N.Y. 14701

Washington Middle School
159 Buffalo Street
Jamestown, N.Y. 14701

Q: What is on the May 20 ballot?
A: The community will be voting on four items on the ballot: the 2025-26 School Budget, a proposition to approve a Capital Reserve Fund, a proposition to fund a maintenance and repair reserve fund, and two (2) Board of Education seats for three-year terms to commence in July 2025 and expire in June 2028.

Q: What are the highlights of the proposed 2025-26 budget?
A: The proposed budget focuses on academic support, facility upgrades, and student programs while maintaining fiscal responsibility. Key investments include expanding literacy instruction with 12 new reading positions, adopting a new math curriculum, adding two elementary art teachers, and placing an instructional coach in each building with seven teachers on special assignment. This budget also maintains critical mental health support services and safety measures. It also funds continued playground upgrades, upgrades to emergency radio systems, continued support for modified football, cheerleading, and unified athletic programs, the purchase of six replacement buses, and the addition of an assistant principal at Jamestown High School.

Q: How will the proposed 2025-26 JPS Budget affect my taxes?
A: There is no increase in the School Tax Levy. In fact, the levy is at the same level as it was in 2010-11, which means that JPS has been able to continue the trend of keeping school taxes flat for over a decade.

Q: Why do we need a proposition to establish a new capital reserve fund?
A: Just as you save for a new roof or plan for new tires on your car, the district must set aside funds for future capital projects. While we receive 98% reimbursement for these projects, we are responsible for the remaining 2% locally. Instead of raising taxes, we can use a capital reserve fund to cover this cost, ensuring facility improvements without additional tax burden. JPS is proposing the establishment of this fund to help maintain our facilities long-term while keeping the tax rate stable for the future.

Q: Why do we need a proposition to fund a maintenance and repair reserve fund?
A: This fund is specifically designated for the repair of district facilities and infrastructure. It allows the district to allocate and use money only for repairs—not general routine maintenance or new construction. The goal is to address unexpected or necessary repairs without impacting the annual budget or requiring a tax increase.

Q: What safety measures are included in this budget?
A: The proposed 2025–26 budget continues to prioritize the safety and well-being of students and staff across the district. It includes funding to replace and upgrade the district’s emergency radio communication systems, ensuring reliable contact with first responders during emergencies. The budget also supports the continued implementation of recommendations made by the district’s Safety & Security Committee, made up of students, staff, families, and community members, and those formally presented to the Board of Education. Additionally, the budget maintains funding for two School Resource Officers through a partnership with the Jamestown Police Department—one stationed at Jamestown High School and another who supports both elementary and middle schools. Each middle and high school also continues to benefit from the presence of “red shirt” safety officers who help provide supervision, respond to incidents, and support a safe school environment. Additional safety measures will also continue to be implemented as part of the district’s long-term capital improvement work, made possible through voter-approved projects in 2021 and 2023.

Q: Where can I vote?
A: Polling locations are at Lincoln, Washington, and Jefferson schools from 12 to 9 p.m. on Tuesday, May 20. You can vote at any of the three sites. Please call the District Office at (716) 483-4420 for information on polling locations and where to vote.