Residents to vote on $127.5 million school budget proposal and $57.3 million Future Ready capital project on May 20
At the May 6 board of education meeting, the Guilderland Central School District held its public budget hearing. Assistant Superintendent for Business, Dr. Andrew Van Alstyne, provided a presentation on the proposed $127,547,392 budget for the 2025-26 school year. The proposal carries a 1.88% spending increase over the current year and a 2.22% increase to the tax levy, which is within the district’s levy limit. A 50% voter approval is required for passage of the budget. Guilderland residents will vote on the proposed $127,547,392 spending plan for the 2025-26 school year on Tuesday, May 20.
At the budget hearing Dr. Van Alstyne explained that New York law requires districts to present their budgets divided into three expenditure categories:
- Program (76%) includes salaries and benefits for teachers, counselors, aides, and support staff, as well as professional development, instructional services, technology, transportation, co-curricular activities, and athletics.
- Administrative (11.2%) comprises salaries and benefits for administrators, district office operations, public information, legal services, tax collection and school board support.
- Capital (12.8%) encompasses debt service from past capital projects, building maintenance, and staff associated with facilities upkeep.
In addition, Dr. Van Alstyne gave a breakdown of the revenue for the 2025-26 spending plan. The tax levy remains the largest revenue source, projected at $84.3 million, accounting for approximately two-thirds of the total budget. State and federal aid provide less than one-third of the funding, with the remainder coming from interfund transfers, appropriated reserves and fund balance, and payments in lieu of taxes (PILOT). A notable change in revenue is due to a significant increase in Foundation Aid that was counterbalanced by a decrease in Transportation Aid.
The full presentation can be viewed here.
Plan maintains existing class size guidelines, preserves programs and proposes necessary reductions where savings can be realized
When creating the 2025-26 spending plan, the district was required to navigate a complicated financial environment. Factors that are beyond the district’s control, such as changes in enrollment, essentially flat state aid and increased operating costs, had a significant impact on the budget development process. This fiscally responsible proposed spending plan for 2025-26 meets student needs in the short term and is sustainable for the long term.
Despite having to make some difficult choices, the district remains committed to its mission to prepare students to succeed after they leave GCSD schools. This budget maintains existing class size guidelines, preserves programs and services that engage students, and proposes necessary reductions where savings can be realized without a significant impact on our students. To the extent possible, reductions are a result of declining enrollment and/or staff attrition.
Voters to decide on a vehicle proposition
A separate proposition will appear on the May 20 ballot for the purchase of five full-size, zero-emission electric school buses equipped with air conditioning. This purchase includes Level-2 chargers and setup. The district is also proposing to replace a 2007 Chevy utility dump truck, which costs approximately $110,000. The total cost of this proposal is $1,352,700; only the dump truck would be a net cost to the community. As with last year’s electric vehicle purchase, the district will receive the full amount in transportation aid on the purchase and GCSD will take advantage of a NYS incentive voucher program. As a result, there is NO projected net cost to the district for the purchase of these buses.
2025 Future Ready Capital Project is on the ballot
If approved by voters, the $57,259,705 Future Ready Capital Project will begin the multi-year process of transforming GCSD facilities into future-ready learning environments. The proposed capital project corresponds with the district’s mission and vision which is to prepare students to meet the challenges and opportunities of their future.
The capital project proposes upgrades to create future-ready classrooms with increased storage, improved lighting, flexible furniture and updated flooring. In addition to modernizing learning environments, the project aims to protect the community’s long-term investment in its schools by addressing necessary internal and external improvements. A key component of the Future Ready capital project is the renovation and enhancement of the performing arts spaces at Guilderland High School, addressing the ongoing challenges of limited rehearsal and storage space. The tax increase for district residents owning a home or property with an assessed value of $283,585 (the average assessment in the Town of Guilderland), the estimated tax increase per year for the proposed project based on current information is $149.84.
Voters will elect four board members
Four candidates are running for four seats on the board of education and will appear on the ballot in the following order: Meredith Brière, Kelly Person, Peter Stapleton, Katie DiPierro. The Guilderland PTA Council is hosting a Meet the Candidates Night to introduce candidates for the board of education to the community. The forum will be livestreamed on the GHS Media channel on YouTube and will be recorded.
Voter information
Polls will be open on Tuesday, May 20, from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m., at the elementary school in the voter’s residential zone. Qualified voters who wish to vote by absentee ballot must submit an application to the district clerk at least seven days before the vote if the ballot is to be mailed, or the day before if the ballot is to be picked up at the district office. Click here for more information and the absentee ballot application.