Utilization Study: Learn More2026-27 Budget Information
April 21, 2026: Board of Education adopts 2026-27 budget proposal
Residents of the North Syracuse Central School District will vote on the district's proposed 2026-27 school budget on Tuesday, May 19, 2026. A budget calendar is available online.
Budget News
April 24: Budget District Dispatch available online
April 20, WSYR Local Syr.com: North Syracuse schools superintendent Terry Ward talks about upcoming budget
March 18, WSYR Local Syr.com: North Syracuse schools superintendent Terry Ward talks upcoming budget
Leading up to the annual school budget vote and board of education member election, the district will present important updates and information to the board of education. To receive copies of the presentations and other budget-related news, subscribe to ParentSquare to receive notifications in this category.
Budget Meetings
April 28 VIRTUAL MEETING at 4 PM (www.nscsd.org/meet1)
April 30 In-Person Meeting at 5 PM Jerome F. Melvin Admin. Office (5355 West Taft Road, N. Syracuse)
May 5 VIRTUAL MEETING at 4 PM (www.nscsd.org/meet2)
May 7 In-Person Meeting at 5 PM Cicero Elementary School (5979 Route 31, Cicero)
May 12 In-Person Meeting at 5 PM Jerome F. Melvin Admin. Office (5355 West Taft Road, N. Syracuse)
Board of Education Candidates
The Board of Education is the official policy-making body of the North Syracuse Central School District. It is responsible for carrying out the laws and regulations pertaining to the education of children living within the district. The board adopts district policy, curriculum, programs of study and approves the hiring of all personnel, as well as establishing the conditions of employment. The board is also responsible for maintaining district facilities, establishing an annual budget and setting a tax levy.
The Board is composed of nine members who are elected by district voters to three-year terms. Members receive no salary for serving on the Board. The terms of three Board members expire each June 30 and those members may seek re-election at the annual budget vote.
Petitions to run for a Board of Education seat are available each year beginning in February. Residents must collect thirty seven (37) signatures from qualified school district voters to be placed on the ballot. Once they become available in February, petitions can be picked up at the Jerome F. Melvin Administrative Office Building (5355 West Taft Road) in North Syracuse. Please contact Jilian K. Herrera at jherrera@nscsd.org or 315-218-2131 for information on requesting a nominating petition.
To qualify for board membership, an individual must be:
- a district resident for at least one year,
- a U.S. citizen,
- a minimum of 18 years of age and
- able to read and write.
Board of Education Candidate Profiles
Each Board of Education candidate is responsible for providing information for his or her own biography. The District does not endorse one candidate over another and reserves the right to edit biographies for space purposes. Candidate biographies are listed below in the order in which they will appear on the May 19 ballot and candidate pictures are published if supplied.| Michael A. Shusda is a candidate for a seat on the North Syracuse Central School District Board of Education. Mr. Shusda has lived in the North Syracuse Central School District for 47 years and has a long record of service to public education and the local community. He previously served on the NSCSD Board of Education from 2015 to 2019, including as Board President, and currently serves on the Board after being appointed to fill a vacant seat. Mr. Shusda is a retired assistant superintendent of the Baldwinsville Central School District. His career in education also included teaching mathematics and serving for 25 years as an instructor of educational administration at SUNY Cortland. A graduate of Lyon Mountain High School, he earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees in mathematics from SUNY Albany and a certificate of advanced study in educational administration from SUNY Oswego. He and his wife, JoAnn, live in Clay. |
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| Michael Mirizio is seeking reelection to a sixth term on the North Syracuse Central School District Board of Education. Michael is a lifelong resident of the District and a 2010 graduate from Cicero-North Syracuse High School. Mr. Mirizio graduated from Le Moyne College in 2014 and holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Political Science. Mr. Mirizio has been serving on the board since 2011, serving as Board President since 2024. Mr. Mirizio is the Director of Technology for OCM BOCES, the Onondaga Cortland Madison Board of Cooperative Educational Services. He is currently involved with several committees for the North Syracuse Central School District Board of Education, including the Policy, Executive, Audit, Facilities, and Budget Committees. He has been active in his community for many years, serving in various roles, including time on the Cicero Planning Board, Cicero Town Board, and the Syracuse Regional Airport Authority Board. Additionally, he is the founder and executive director of North Syracuse Junior High School’s 4D Productions, a registered 501(c)(3) where he works with students on live event production and community service. He is a supporter of and donor to North Syracuse Dollars for Scholars. |
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| Cheryl McDonald is running for a first term on the North Syracuse Central School District Board of Education. A district resident for 35 years, she is a proud graduate of Cicero-North Syracuse High School. She earned an associate degree from SUNY Morrisville, a bachelor’s degree in physical education, a master’s degree in health education from SUNY Cortland, and a certificate of advanced study in school administration from Le Moyne College. Mrs. McDonald is in her 29th year as a physical education teacher and coach in the Syracuse City School District. She has been active in NSCSD school communities through the PTO at KWS Bear Road and Gillette Road, the Band Parent Association, the Winterguard Parent Group, the Superintendent’s Parent Council, and currently serves on the district’s Policy and Utilization committees. |
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| Carol Goehner is seeking a first term on the NSCSD Board of Education. A lifelong resident of the North Syracuse Central School District, she attended Allen Road Elementary, Roxboro Road Middle School and Cicero High School before earning a Bachelor of Arts in sociology and psychology from The College of William and Mary and a Master of Arts in social studies education from Syracuse University. Goehner retired from NSCSD in 2023 after 41 years of service as a teaching assistant and teacher. During her career, she served for 15 years on the district’s Board Policy Committee, helping shape policies on issues such as cyberbullying, homebound instruction, textbook adoption and bloodborne pathogens. She also served on scheduling committees, the District Steering Committee and the District Advisory Council. At Cicero-North Syracuse High School, she was a class advisor and advisor to Students Against Drunk Driving and was a member of the Post Incident Response Team and Building Planning Team. She continues to stay involved in the community by facilitating monthly activities for retired North Syracuse teachers and teaching assistants. |
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| Joshua Ludden is running for a second term on the North Syracuse Central School District Board of Education. He is a life-long resident of the North Syracuse Central School District and a graduate of Cicero-North Syracuse High School. Mr. Ludden has a degree in Political Science and Religious Studies from American University. In his professional life, he has been the First Deputy County Clerk for the Onondaga County Clerk Emily Essi Bersani, an employee of the New York State Senate and a community organizer throughout Onondaga County. Josh has also volunteered as a baseball coach and is an active musician. He currently serves on the NSCSD Legislative Committee, Executive Committee and Budget Subcommittee. |
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Voting
Are you registered to vote?
In order to vote in North Syracuse Central School District elections, you must be a United States citizen, 18 years of age or older and meet the following qualifications:
- A resident of the school District for at least 30 days prior to the vote;
- Not under sentence for a felony conviction and not adjudged mentally incompetent;
- Registered to vote in Onondaga County or the North Syracuse Central School District.
Voter Registration
If you are not yet registered to vote, you can register at the Office of the District Clerk (5355 West Taft Road, North Syracuse, New York) between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. any day when the office is open for business. Please contact Jilian K. Herrera at jherrera@nscsd.org or 315-218-2131 for additional information.
If you prefer to register to vote through the New York State Department of Motor Vehicles, click here.
Click here to learn more about voter registration in Onondaga County.
Absentee Ballots/Mail In Voting
All qualified voters in the North Syracuse Central School District are eligible to vote with a mail in ballot. The district is accepting applications for both mail in voting and absentee ballots.
Polling Locations
| Budget Calendar | December Budget Assumptions | January 28 BOE Presentation (Governor’s Budget Proposal & Preliminary Tax Cap Calculation) |
| March 9 Budget Update | March 23 Budget Update | April 20 Budget Proposal |
