The Guilderland Central School District Board of Education unanimously adopted a $133,900,025 budget for the 2026-27 school year during their Tuesday, April 14 meeting. This represents a $6,352,633 or 4.98% increase in spending over the current year. If approved, the t,ax levy would increase by 3.42%, which is the maximum allowable levy limit as defined by New York state’s tax levy cap legislation.
At the meeting, the board made two modifications to the previous draft budget: restoring two special education teaching assistants and an additional 0.2 of a full-time equivalent teacher. The additional funding increased the budget $15,150 from $133,884,875 to $133,900,025.
The 2026-27 spending plan reflects the district’s commitment to preserving core classroom programs and essential student services while navigating a challenging financial environment. Rising costs, inflation, tax certiorari settlements, unfunded mandates, shifting enrollment patterns, and limited growth in state and federal aid have required difficult but necessary decisions.
To minimize the impact on students, the budget limits growth in ongoing expenses, maintains flexibility to respond to enrollment changes and student needs, and uses available fund balance (savings) to support select instructional positions and enrichment programs. This approach allows GCSD to operate steadily in the coming year while the district continues to evaluate the best path forward for the community.
Voters to decide on three propositions
In addition to voting on the budget proposition, Guilderland residents will be asked to decide on the following propositions.
Vehicle Proposition
A proposition will appear on the May 19 ballot to replace aging school buses and maintenance equipment at a total cost of $1,748,782. The proposal includes five 65-passenger school buses, three 35-passenger buses, two 29-passenger wheelchair equipped buses, a Chevy Tahoe, a tractor and a mower. 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 existing capital reserve fund reaches its voter-approved funding limit and/or approved lifespan (generally 10 years), no additional money can be added. To continue saving for future building repairs, improvements or projects, a new fund must be approved by voters.
The proposed reserve would have a maximum term of 10 years and could hold up to $20 million. It would be financed by transferring $2,196,648 from the district’s existing capital reserve fund, approved by voters in 2017, along with additional transfers from the district’s fund balance as approved by the Board of Education.
The proposed reserve would be used to pay for future building and infrastructure improvements across the district, including construction, renovations and the purchase of furniture, equipment and machinery.
Residents will elect three board of education members
The Guilderland community will elect three members to the board of education on May 19. The seats carry three-year terms beginning on July 1, 2026.
Budget vote day is Tuesday, May 19
Polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m., and as a reminder, this year community members will vote in person at three, not all five, elementary schools: Altamont, Pine Bush or Westmere.
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.
For complete voting information, including polling locations and how to vote by absentee ballot, please visit our website.
The next regular Board of Education meeting is scheduled for May 5, at which residents will have the opportunity to ask questions about the proposed budget.