Niagara County voters approve school district budgets

By Terry Duffy

Editor-in-Chief

In school district elections Tuesday, voters overall approved their respective budgets for the 2026-27 school year, with only five districts – including Grand Island – reporting budget defeats.

For western Niagara County, all five school districts, including the City of Niagara Falls, reported approved budgets for ‘26-27. Broken down, the following unofficial results were reported:

•In Lewiston-Porter, voters approved the district’s $58,281,991 budget plan by a count of 653-334. The approved budget includes a 1.9% tax increase. Voters also approved Proposition No. 2, to establish a capital improvements reserve fund, by a count of 672-304.

The district also posted, “Many thanks to our wonderful community for passing our 2026-2027 budget! We are grateful for your continued support and partnership as we continue working together for the benefit for our students and community. … 

“The confirmed Board of Education candidates (top 2 write-ins) are: John Williams, 362 votes; Joshua Eckstein, 300 votes.”

The district election saw no candidates on the ballot and featured a write-in vote procedure for residents.

•In Niagara Wheatfield, the district’s $96,480,592 budget was approved, 584-228. Voting for propositions No. 2 and No. 3 – authorizing NW to expend up to $944,000 from the 2021 capital transportation reserve fund for the purchase of buses and transportation vehicles; and to expend up to $200,000 for the acquisition and installation of technology equipment for the district, respectively -- were approved by district residents.

Moving to NW Board of Education results, the winners for the three open seats were Wendy Cox (453 votes), Stephanie Bevacqua (441 votes) and Dawn Jelen (420 votes).

•In North Tonawanda, district voters approved an $84.4 million budget for 2026-27 by a count of 455-137. Voters approved Proposal No. 2, to fund the district’s capital improvement project, by a 459-128 measure.

For the two open seats on the NT Board of Education, winners included Amy Usiak (394 votes) and Josh Krebs (384 votes).

•In the Wilson Central School District, the $31.584 million budget was approved by a count of 193-100. Proposition No. 2, to fund the purchase of equipment, was approved 228-52.

In voting for the Board of Education, results were incumbents Timothy F. Kropp (224 votes) and R. J. Saeger (219 votes) and Laurette Clark (215 votes).