Baker's dozen run for Wellsville school board. Here are the 13 candidates, budget details

Wellsville Central School District voters will choose from a crowded field of board of education candidates when they go to the polls later this month.

The largest school district in Allegany County has 13 candidates seeking three spots on the school board May 21, when voters will also be asked to approve a $36,766,401 budget for the 2024-25 academic year, along with public library and transportation measures.

While it is unknown if 13 candidates is the most ever for Wellsville, it is certainly an anomaly compared to recent years and the largest group in memory, according to the district clerk's office.

Last May, three candidates, including two incumbents, ran for two seats on the board. In 2022, two incumbents ran unopposed and were reelected.

It is not uncommon for public school districts to struggle to attract candidates for the unpaid position that requires a substantial commitment of time and carries significant responsibilities.

“I would say this level of interest in the school board election is remarkable and indicates a highly engaged community who are deeply invested in the future direction of the school district,” Wellsville Superintendent Dave Foster said.

Meet the 13 candidates running for Wellsville BOE

The candidates are seeking three-year terms on the seven-member panel and include a trio of incumbents whose terms expire at the end of June. They are Heather Gill, Bryan Gamache and Ronald "Keith" Loines, the current school board vice president.

The other candidates are Trish Haggerty, Jason Mattison, Trent Robbins, William Benz, Jill Vossler, Shane Vogel, Jenise Cicirello, James Wixson, Timothy Dannheim and Robert Gilfert.

Profiles of each candidate are available in the district's "Overview" newsletter. Voters may vote for up to three candidates.

What to know about $36.7 million Wellsville school budget

Spending is up about $2.2 million or 6.61% over last year in the $36,766,401 budget proposal.

Under this proposal, the district's tax levy would be $8,057,632 − unchanged from 2023-24 and the 11th straight year of the local property tax haul staying the same or decreasing, district officials said.

"This achievement is a testament to our commitment to providing quality education while being mindful of the financial burden on our community," Foster and School Board President Alan Mosher said in the district newsletter.

Under the tax cap, Wellsville could have raised the levy by 5%.

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Officials said the district has "expanded educational offerings," noting Wellsville has 20 courses that lead to college credit, while new extracurricular activities including robotics, trap and electronic gaming have been introduced.

The curriculum emphasizes STEM and encourages a "problem-solving approach across all subjects," the district newsletter said.

Wellsville had an enrollment of 1,170 in 2022-2023, and the district added some students after a Wellsville parochial school closed in June 2023.

When is the Wellsville school vote?

Voting on the school budget and propositions, along with the board election, will take place from noon to 9 p.m. on May 21 in the river side lobby of the secondary school at 126 W. State St.

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This article originally appeared on The Evening Tribune: Wellsville School Board race has 13 candidates running for three seats