HIGHLAND CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT LEGAL NOTICE Notice of Budget Hearing, Annual Meeting and Election, and Voter Registration Highland Central School District   NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Board of Education of the Highland Central School District will hold a Public Hearing on the Budget in the Cafeteria of the Highland High School, 320 Pancake Hollow Road, Highland, New York, on Tuesday, May 5, 2026 and at 6:00 pm for the purpose of presenting the Budget for the 2026-2027 school year.   NOTICE IS ALSO GIVEN that the Annual Meeting and Election will be held on Tuesday, May 19, 2026 between the hours of 6:00 am and 9:00 pm, in the D-10 classroom (Band Room), at the Highland High School, 320 Pancake Hollow Road, Highland, NY, for the purpose of voting on the appropriation of funds for school district operations during the 2026-2027 school year (the budget) and the election of members of the Board of Education, and for such other propositions that are lawfully presented to the voters.   NOTICE IS ALSO GIVEN that a copy of the proposed 2026-2027 budget may be obtained by any resident in the District, any business day, commencing fourteen days prior to the annual meeting, during the hours of 8:00 am and 4:00 pm, at the Business Office, 320 Pancake Hollow Road, Highland, NY, and each schoolhouse in the District. The Budget will also be available at any free association or public library within the District and on the District’s website. A Real Property Tax Exemption Report prepared in accordance with §495 of the Real Property Tax Law will be annexed to any budget of which it will form a part; and shall be posted on District bulletin board(s) maintained for public notices, as well as on the District’s website.   NOTICE IS ALSO GIVEN that petitions nominating candidates for school board trustees must be filed with the District Clerk no later than Monday, April 20, 2026, at 5:00 pm. Petitions will be received by the Central Office, 320 Pancake Hollow Road, Highland, NY, between the hours of 8:00 am and 4:00 pm (except on April 20, 2026, which is until 5:00 pm). Each petition must be directed to the District Clerk and must be signed by at least twenty-five (25) qualified voters of the District and must state the name and residence address of the candidate and each signer. Petition forms may be picked up any school day at the Central Office, 320 Pancake Hollow Road, Highland, NY, between the hours of 8:00 am and 4:00 pm. The following two (2) board seats will be open:        1. One member to fill the seat presently occupied by           Alan Barone for a three-year term, commencing           July 1, 2026-June 30, 2029.        2. One member to fill the seat presently occupied           Heather Welch a three-year term, commencing           July 1, 2026-June 30, 2029.   NOTICE IS ALSO GIVEN that there will be submitted to the qualified and registered voters of the district, the following proposition(s):   PROPOSITION – Repair Reserve Fund “SHALL the Board of Education of the Highland Central School District be authorized to:  establish a Repair Reserve Fund, subject to voter approval, with a maximum authorized balance of $500,000; and that the source of funds to establish and fund this reserve may include unassigned fund balance, budgetary appropriations, and other legally available sources as determined by the Board of Education. The use of such funds shall be subject to the requirements of General Municipal Law §6-d, including a public hearing and approval by a two-thirds vote of the Board of Education, except in the case of emergencies as defined by law.”   NOTICE IS ALSO GIVEN that the register to be prepared for the Annual Meeting and Election shall include all persons who have been previously registered for any Annual or Special Meeting or election and who shall have voted at any Annual or Special Meeting held or conducted during the four calendar years prior to 2026. Any qualified resident currently registered to vote with the Ulster County Board of Elections is also eligible to vote at the Annual Meeting and Election on May 19, 2026, without further registration.   NOTICE IS ALSO GIVEN that the qualified voters of the District who are not registered with Ulster County or have not voted at any annual or special school elections within the past four years, may register for the Annual Meeting and Election at the Central Office, Highland Central School District, 320 Pancake Hollow Road, Highland, NY, on any business day between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. through May 14, 2026. A qualified military voter who is not currently registered can request a military personal registration form during the same times and at the same locations as listed above. Additionally, qualified military voters can contact the District Clerk to indicate their preference to receive a personal registration application via mail, facsimile or electronic mail.   NOTICE IS ALSO GIVEN that the register of qualified voters of the District will be filed in the Office of the Clerk of the District at the Central Office, Highland Central School District, 320 Pancake Hollow Road, Highland, NY, and will be open for inspection by any qualified voter of the District between the hours of 8:00 am and 4:00 pm, five days before the Annual Meeting and Election, and by appointment only for Saturday, May 16, 2026, and such register will be open for inspection at the polling place during the Annual Meeting and Election.   NOTICE IS ALSO GIVEN that applications for absentee ballots and early mail ballots for the Annual Meeting and Election to be held on May 19, 2026, may be obtained at the Office of the Clerk of the District at the Central Office on any business day between the hours of 8:00 am and 4:00 pm as well as District’s website. Such application must be received by the District Clerk no earlier than thirty (30) days before the vote, and at least seven (7) days prior to the election, if the ballot is to be mailed to the voter, or the day before the election if the ballot will be personally picked up by the voter at the Central Office. Qualified military voters may request a military absentee ballot application from the District Clerk between the hours of 8:00 am and 4:00 pm and may indicate their preference to receive a military absentee ballot application via mail, facsimile or electronic mail. Absentee ballots for military voters shall be administered in accordance with the provisions of Section 2018-d of the Education Law and Part 122 of the Commissioner’s Regulations. Absentee and early mail ballots must be received by the District Clerk no later than 5:00 p.m., prevailing time, on Tuesday, May 19, 2026. A list of all persons to whom absentee and early mail ballots shall have been issued will be available for inspection to qualified voters of the District in the said Office of the District Clerk during regular office hours, 8:00 am – 4:00 pm, prevailing time, until the day of the Annual Meeting and Election. Any qualified voter may file a written challenge of the qualifications of a voter, whose name appears on such list, stating the reasons for the challenge.   Lisa M Cerniglia, Highland Central School District, District Clerk LCerniglia@highland-k12.org 12217104