The school budget is the biggest investment the community collectively makes with its tax dollars. District leaders work to make the most effective use of resources to benefit students, to develop and manage the budget in a responsible and transparent manner and to be accountable to taxpayers.
Each spring the board of education adopts a budget for the coming school year for a community vote. New York state has designated the third Tuesday in May as the date for school budget votes.
2026-27 Budget Information
- Total Budget: $133,900,025
- Spending Increase: $6,352,633 (4.98%)
- Tax Levy Increase: $2,887,676/3.42%
- Maintenance Vehicle Proposition: $1,748,782
- Reauthorization of capital reserve funding
The annual school budget and board of education election will take place from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Tuesday, May 19.
This year, voting locations will be at the Altamont, Pine Bush and Westmere elementary schools. Voters who live within the Altamont, Pine Bush or Westmere attendance zones will vote at their home schools. Residents of the Lynnwood Elementary attendance zone will vote at Pine Bush, while residents of the Guilderland Elementary attendance zone will vote at Westmere. Click here to find your voting location.
GCSD Board of Education adopts 2026-27 proposed budget
The Guilderland Central School District Board of Education unanimously adopted a $133,900,025 spending plan for the 2026-27 school year during the Tuesday, April 14 board meeting. This represents a 3.42% increase in the tax levy, which is on par with the district’s maximum allowable tax levy limit. Learn more about the 2026-27 general operating budget here.
Voters to decide on a vehicle proposition
A separate proposition will appear on the May 19 ballot to purchase five 65-passenger school buses, three 35-passenger buses, two 29-passenger wheelchair equipped buses, a Chevy Tahoe, a tractor and a mower.
The total cost of this proposal is $1,748,782. Approximately 65.6% of the bus purchase would be returned to the district in the form of future state aid, offsetting the local taxpayer share of the proposition by about $1,019,000. The vehicle purchases would be financed through bonds, allowing the district to borrow funds upfront and repay the cost as taxes are collected.
Reauthorization of capital reserve funding
When a district’s capital reserve fund reaches its voter-approved limit or lifespan, no more money can be added. To continue saving for future projects, a new fund must be voter-approved. The proposed reserve would last up
to 10 years, hold a maximum of $20 million, and be financed by transferring $2,196,648 from the existing fund and additional fund balance transfers approved by the board of education. This reserve would fund future building and infrastructure improvements, including construction, renovations, and purchasing furniture, equipment, and machinery.
Three open seats on the board of education
On May 19, Guilderland voters will elect three members to serve on the Guilderland Central School District Board of Education.
This year’s candidates are: Rebecca Butterfield, Nancy Cavillones and Peter Stapleton. The Guilderland PTA Council will host an in-person, livestreamed “Meet the Candidates” event on May 11 at 6 p.m. in the LGI at GHS. This event will be recorded.
Candidates will serve three-year terms beginning on July 1, 2026.
Voter eligibility, absentee ballots and early voting information
Voter registration is required in the Guilderland Central School District. Learn more about voter eligibility here.
Absentee ballots applications are now available to eligible voters for the upcoming GCSD budget and board of education election on May 19. Learn more here.
Eligible voters who wish to vote early for the annual school budget and board of education election may apply for an early voter ballot by completing an application. Learn more here.
2025-26 budget and capital project approved by voters; four candidates elected to board of education
On May 20, Guilderland Central School District voters approved a $127,547,392 proposed budget for the 2025-26 school year by a vote of 1,635 (YES) to 551 (NO), which is a 74.79% approval. The budget carries a 1.88% increase in spending over the current year’s budget and will result in a 2.22% tax levy increase, which is within the district’s tax levy limit.
Future Ready Capital Project
Voters approved the $57,259,705 Future Ready Capital Project proposition that will begin the multi-year process of transforming GCSD facilities into future-ready learning environments. The referendum passed by a vote of 1,503 (YES) to 613 (NO), which is a 71.03% approval.
Vehicle Proposition
Residents approved the purchase of five zero-emission full-size electric school buses with air conditioning, including Level-2 chargers and setup, and a vehicle to replace a 2007 Chevy Utility Dump Truck by a vote of 1,587 (YES) to 595 (NO), which is a 72.73% approval.
Board of Education Election
Four candidates sought election for four open board of education seats. They are:
Katie DiPierro 1,510 votes;
Kelly Person 1,507 votes;
Meredith Brière 1,343 votes;
Peter Stapleton 1,324 votes;
Peter Stapleton will serve a term that will begin on May 21, 2025, and end on June 30, 2026, to fill a vacancy created by the resignation of board member Judy Slack.
Katie DiPierro, Kelly Person and Meredith Brière will fill three-year terms beginning on July 1, 2025.
2025-26 Budget Information
- Total Budget: $127,547,392
- Spending Increase: $2,354,575 (1.88%)
- Tax Levy Increase: $1,832,602/2.22%
- Maintenance Vehicle Proposition: $110,000
- Electric Vehicle Bus Proposition
The annual school budget and board of education elections will take place 7 a.m. to 9 p.m., Tuesday, May 20 at the elementary school in the voter’s residential zone.
GCSD Board of Education adopts 2025-26 proposed budget
The Guilderland Central School District Board of Education unanimously adopted a $127,547,392 spending plan for the 2025-26 school year during the Tuesday, April 16 board meeting. This represents a 2.22% increase in the tax levy, which is below the district’s maximum allowable tax levy limit. Learn more about the 2025-26 general operating budget here.
Voters to decide on a vehicle proposition
A separate proposition will appear on the May 20 ballot to purchase five zero-emission full-size electric school buses with air conditioning. This purchase includes Level-2 chargers and setup. The district is also proposing to replace a 2007 Chevy Utility Dump Truck.
The total cost of this proposal is $1,352,700. Only the dump truck, which costs approximately $110,000, would be a net cost to the community. Under the enacted state budget in 2024, the district will receive this full amount in transportation aid as it repays the bond. As the district did last year, GCSD will take advantage of a NYS incentive voucher program, so there is NO projected net cost to the district for this purchase.
GCSD is proposing the purchase of five electric vehicle school buses to address the New York State mandate requiring, that by 2027, any school bus purchases made by school districts must be zero-emission vehicles and by 2035 all buses in operation must be zero emission.
Four open seats on the board of education
On May 20, Guilderland voters will elect four members to serve on the Guilderland Central School District Board of Education.
One candidate will serve a term that will begin on May 21, 2025 and end on June 30, 2026, to fill a vacancy created by the resignation of Judy Slack. This seat will be filled by the candidate who receives the fourth highest number of votes. The three remaining seats carry a three-year term beginning on July 1, 2025.
Candidates are listed in the order they will appear on the ballot: Meredith Brière, Kelly Person, Peter Stapleton, Katie DiPierro. Learn more about the candidates here.
Voter eligibility, absentee ballots and early voting information
Voter registration is required in the Guilderland Central School District. Learn more about voter eligibility here.
Absentee ballots applications are now available to eligible voters for the upcoming GCSD budget and board of education election on May 20. Learn more here.
Eligible voters who wish to vote early for the annual school budget and board of education election may apply for an early voter ballot by completing an application. Learn more here.
2024-25 budget and propositions approved by voters; three candidates elected to board of education
On May 21, Guilderland Central School District voters approved a $125,192,817 proposed budget for the 2024-25 school year by a vote of 1,690 (yes) to 648 (no), a 72.28% approval. The budget carries a 4.53% increase in spending over the current year’s budget and will result in a 2.74% tax levy increase, which is within the district’s tax levy limit.
School Bus Proposition
Residents approved the purchase of six 65-passenger buses, three with chains and three without, one 24-passenger wheelchair bus, a maintenance truck and a skid steer by a vote of 1,719 (yes) and 672 (no).
Electric Vehicle Proposition
Residents approved the purchase of two zero-emission electric vehicles (EVs), one 30-passenger school bus and one-65 passenger school bus and one Level-2 charger by a vote of 1,688 (yes) and 722 (no).
Cobblestone Schoolhouse Proposition
Residents approved the transfer of the district’s one-room Cobblestone Schoolhouse, built in 1860, to the Town of Guilderland for $10,000 by a vote of 2,064 (yes) and 322 (no).
Board of Education Election
Five candidates sought election for three open board of education seats. They are:
Tara Molloy-Grocki 1,373 votes;
Blanca Gonzalez-Parker 1,253 votes;
Nina Kaplan 1,207 votes;
Elizabeth Floyd Mair 1,063 votes;
Mateo Dunagan 533 votes
Nina Kaplan will serve a term that will begin on May 22, 2024 and end on June 30, 2027, to fill a vacancy created by the resignation of Board President Dr. Seema Rivera.
Tara Molloy-Grocki and Blanca Gonzalez-Parker will fill three-year terms beginning on July 1, 2024.
2024-25 Budget Information
- Total Budget: $125,192,817
- Spending Increase: $5,420,623 (4.53%)
- Tax Levy Increase: $2,198,863/2.74%
- Gas Bus and Maintenance Vehicle Proposition: $1,281,000
- Electric Vehicle Bus Proposition
- Cobblestone Schoolhouse Proposition
The annual school budget and board of education elections will take place 7 a.m. to 9 p.m., Tuesday, May 21 at the elementary school in the voter’s residential zone.
GCSD Board of Education adopts 2024-25 proposed budget
The Guilderland Central School District Board of Education unanimously adopted a $125,192,817 spending plan for the 2024-25 school year during the Tuesday, April 16 board meeting. This represents a 2.74% increase in the tax levy, which is below the district’s maximum allowable tax levy limit. Learn more about the budget here.
Voters to decide on a replacement bus and equipment proposition
A separate proposition will appear on the May 21 ballot to purchase school buses and maintenance vehicles, at a total cost of $1,281,000. The purchase would include six 65-passenger buses, three with chains and three without, one 24-passenger wheelchair bus, a maintenance truck and a skid steer.
Voters to decide on electric vehicle proposition
GCSD is proposing the purchase of two zero-emission electric vehicles (EVs), one 30-passenger school bus and one-65 passenger school bus, and one Level-2 charger. The proposal is for a total cost of $407,500. Under the recently enacted state budget, the district will receive this full amount in transportation aid as it repays the bond. There is NO projected net cost to the district for this purchase. Learn more about the electric vehicle proposition here.
Voters to decide on Cobblestone Schoolhouse proposition
The district proposes the transfer of a one-room, cobblestone schoolhouse, built in 1860, to the Town of Guilderland for $10,000. Because the property is not being sold at market value, a vote is required. The district has agreed to sell the historic structure, which requires much maintenance and upkeep, to the town so that it will be preserved for community use. The town will have access to grant funds to support this work.
Five candidates seeking three open seats on the board of education
On May 21, Guilderland voters will elect three members to serve on the Guilderland Central School District Board of Education. Five candidates are running for these seats: Tara Molloy-Grocki, Mateo Dunagan, Elizabeth Floyd Mair, Blanca Gonzalez-Parker and Nina Kaplan. Learn more about the candidates here.
One candidate will serve a term that will begin on May 22, 2024 and end on June 30, 2027, to fill a vacancy created by the resignation of Board President Dr. Seema Rivera. This seat will be filled by the eligible candidate who receives the highest number of votes and is not an incumbent GCSD board of education member.
The remaining seats will be filled by the two candidates, regardless of whether or not they are incumbents, who receive the next two highest vote totals; their terms carry a three-year term beginning on July 1, 2024.
Voter eligibility, absentee ballots and early voting information
Voter registration is required in the Guilderland Central School District. Learn more about voter eligibility here.
Absentee ballots applications are now available to eligible voters for the upcoming GCSD budget and board of education election on May 21. Learn more here.
Eligible voters who wish to vote early for the annual school budget and board of education election may apply for an early voter ballot by completing an application. Learn more here.
2024-25 budget materials
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