New this year: Only three in-person budget polling places
Starting this budget season, community members will vote at three, rather than all five, elementary schools for in-person voting: Altamont, Pine Bush or Westmere. These sites were selected for their central locations to make voting as accessible as possible for residents across Guilderland. Voters who reside in the Altamont, Pine Bush and Westmere school zones will vote at their home schools. Lynnwood Elementary residents will vote at Pine Bush, and Guilderland Elementary residents will vote at Westmere.
Below is a timeline leading up to the budget vote. Get more information about the school budget, how to calculate your taxes, voting and more.
Oct. – Dec. 2025 | Jan. – Feb. 2026 | March 2026 | April 2026 | May 2026
October – December 2025
Review of the budget calendar with school principals and Board of Education. District Administration meets with building administrators and supervisors and reviews last year’s projections and current status of staff and program. Enrollment projections for the coming year are developed and shared with the school principals.
October 21
Assistant Superintendent for Business Andrew Van Alstyne presented school business management access items. Watch the rundown of items from the 10/21/25 BOE meeting, here.
November & December
Building and department level budgets developed. Instructional and facility needs are addressed at this stage including staffing recommendations, equipment recommendations and priority supplies and services all based on program justifications.
November 19
Assistant Superintendent for Business Andrew Van Alstyne delivered a presentation regarding the 2026-27 budget and the updated polling changes for the May 19 budget vote and school board election. You can view the 11/19/25 presentation sides, here; and watch Mr. Van Alstyne’s presentation along with the school board’s inquiries about new polling place locations, poll workers, and volunteers, in this video.
December 9
Watch this video from 12/9/25 where Assistant Superintendent for Business Andrew Van Alstyne addresses modifying designated election districts for this May 19, 2026 school budget vote and board of education election. The board voted to approve changing the voting polling places to three locations. View a listing of election districts by street, here.
- Residents in the Altamont Elementary School boundaries will vote at Altamont.
- Residents in Pine Bush and Lynnwood Elementary School boundaries will vote at Pine Bush.
- Residents in the Guilderland and Westmere Elementary Schools will vote at Westmere.
December – February
District Administration review staffing, equipment and facilities requests following meetings with building principals and selected staff. This process involves a thorough review of enrollment projections, class size and staffing levels for both professional and operational needs. The district seeks community input on budget priorities in January and February.
January 13
Board direction for budget development. Tune into the Board of Education meeting from Jan. 13 by video, where Assistant Superintendent for Business Andrew Van Alstyne presented the rollover budget for the 2026-27 school year. View the presentation document, here.
March 2026
March 10
Superintendent’s Budget: Presentation to the board of education and community.
March 17
Budget Workshop: Questions and Answers.
March 31
Board of Education Budget Work Session.
April 2026
April 3
Legal publication of proposed budget vote date. (45 days prior to vote).
April 14
Board action to adopt the budget.
April 14 – May 18
Budget discussions through the district. Included are meetings with PTA organizations, civic organizations, neighborhood associations, senior citizens and other groups interested in obtaining more information and a better understanding of the school budget.
April 20
Final date for submission of Board Candidate Petitions. (30 days prior to vote)
April TBD
Publication and printing of the budget mailing for home distribution.
May 2026
May TBD
Mailing of the budget publication to homes.
May 5
Public Budget Hearing, Guilderland High School, 7 p.m.
May 19, Budget Vote Day
Budget Vote Day! Polls open at 7 a.m. to 9 p.m.
- Residents in the Altamont Elementary School boundaries will vote at Altamont.
- Residents in Pine Bush and Lynnwood Elementary School boundaries will vote at Pine Bush.
- Residents in the Guilderland and Westmere Elementary Schools will vote at Westmere.
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