Residents to vote on $120 million school budget proposal on May 16
At the May 2 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 $119,772,194 budget for the 2023-24 school year.
At the budget hearing Dr. Van Alstyne explained that New York law requires districts to present their budgets divided into three expenditure categories, program (75%), administrative (11%) and capital (14%). The full presentation can be viewed here.
Plan targets class size reduction, preserves programs and focuses on academics and safety, while staying under tax cap
On May 16, 2023, Guilderland residents will vote on the proposed $119,772,194 spending plan for the 2023-24 school year. The proposal carries a 8.99% spending increase over the current year and a 2.66% increase to the tax levy, which is within the district’s levy limit. A 50% plus one voter approval is required for passage of the budget.
The proposed budget meets the needs of GCSD students by aligning with the district’s goals of educating the whole child, ensuring each and every student is ready to succeed in the future. In addition to rigorous academics, this budget supports the programs that contribute to the social and emotional well-being of GCSD students, such as music, the arts and athletics. Learn more about the proposed spending plan here.
Voters to decide on a replacement bus and equipment proposition
A separate proposition will appear on the May 16 ballot to replace aging school buses at a total cost of $1,206,000. The purchase would include six 65-passenger buses, three with chains and three without, two 35-passenger buses and one dual-wheel chassis, one-ton pickup truck.
The new buses will replace aging vehicles. The New York State Department of Transportation requires that all school buses pass rigorous inspection criteria. Annually, the district has replaced some aging buses with new buses, to maintain a fleet in overall good condition. Approximately 50% of the bus purchase would be returned to the district in the form of future state aid, reducing the cost to local taxpayers.
Voters to elect three members to the board of education
On May 16, Guilderland voters will elect three members to serve on the Guilderland Central School District Board of Education. Three candidates filed nominating petitions for the three available seats: Kimberly Blasiak, Rebecca Butterfield and Judy Slack. Learn more about the candidates here.
Voter information
Polls will be open from 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 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.