Guilderland budget vote passes: 2011, yes; 1136, no

Voters went to the polls on Tuesday, May 15 and passed the Guilderland Central School District 2007-08 school budget by a margin of 2011, yes to 1136, no. Residents also passed:

• The bus and equipment proposition (2011, yes; 1093, no)

• The land purchase proposition (1801, yes; 1172, no)

• The proposition to establish a Capital Reserve Fund (2082, yes; 1076, no)

In addition, voters also elected Barbara Fraterrigo, Colleen O'Connell, and Gloria Towle-Hilt to the Guilderland Board of Education. Board candidate vote totals were as follows:

• Gloria Towle-Hilt, 2046

• Colleen O'Connell, 1987

• Barbara Fraterrigo, 1717

• Carolyn Kelly, 1606

• John Fraher, 1550

The public vote on the Guilderland Central School District 2007-08 budget is set for Tuesday, May 15 from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. at all elementary schools.

At its meeting on April 3, the Guilderland Central School District Board of Education unanimously adopted an $81.9 million spending plan for the 2007-08 school year. This budget represents a 3.76 percent increase in spending over the current year’s budget. If approved by voters on May 15, it would result in an estimated 2.48 percent tax rate increase for residents in the Town of Guilderland.

Since first introduced to the Citizens’ Budget Advisory Committee on March 1, next year’s spending plan has undergone several revisions—based primarily on feedback from the Committee and from the Board of Education. Reductions have been made in the areas of instructional salaries, health insurance premiums, transportation, and special education (BOCES) costs totaling nearly $420,000 and additional resources have been allocated to upgrade the district’s computer hardware. In addition, with the passage of an on-time state budget, the district now knows it is slated to receive an additional $400,000 in state aid beyond what was originally projected. As a result, the district was able to lower next year’s tax levy—the total amount of money needed to be collected from district residents—by nearly $763,000 and reduce the proposed tax rate increase to 2.48 percent (versus the 3.81 percent increase initially presented to the CBAC).

8 Voter information. Includes information on when and where to vote, voter eligibility requirements, and absentee ballots.

8 Download the 2007-08 budget newsletter. (PDF)

Please note: Due to recent changes adopted by the State Education Department for the calculation of the contingency budget for the 2007-08 school year, the contingency budget amounts shown in the newsletter that was mailed home to district residents in late-April have been revised. The amended information is noted on pages 7 and 8, and has been highlighted in blue for your reference. If you have any questions, please contact Assistant Superintendent for Business Neil Sanders at (518) 456-6200, ext. 3125.

8 What other propositions are on the ballot this year? Voters to decide on bus proposition, land purchase, and capital reserve fund for the district.

8 Meet the 2007-08 Board of Education candidates. Voters to elect three members to the Board.

8 Calculate your estimated 2007-08 school tax bill based on the proposed tax rate.

8 Read Superintendent Gregory Aidala's recent "Letter to the Editor" regarding the May 15 budget vote.

8 Upcoming school budget related broadcasts. View a complete listing of school budget news scheduled to air on Channel 16.

8 Learn more about the 2007-08 Citizens' Budget Advisory Committee. Includes meeting dates and times, scheduled program reports, and meeting summaries.

8 April 2007 district newsletter: Budget preview issue. (PDF)

8 Budget development timeline. Important dates you need to know.