Albany School District proposes $342M budget with 0.9% tax levy increase

The Albany City School District's Board of Education held a public meeting on April 24, 2025, to discuss the proposed budget for the upcoming school year, alongside other important topics. The meeting aimed to provide transparency and clarity to the community regarding the district's financial plans and educational offerings.

Mister Karas opened the discussion with an update on the budget, highlighting the district's commitment to supporting both academic and social-emotional needs of students. The proposed budget includes a 0.9% tax levy increase, marking the fifth consecutive year of increases below 1%. This modest increase is part of a broader strategy to maintain essential programs while minimizing the financial impact on residents.

Key components of the budget include an estimated $12.1 million increase in state aid and a planned investment of $12.6 million from the district's fund balance. The budget aims to sustain current programs, including full-day pre-kindergarten across all elementary schools, various extracurricular activities, and support services such as behavioral specialists and social workers.

The proposed budget reflects a total increase of approximately 4.9%, raising the budget from $326 million to about $342 million. The district plans to strategically reduce staffing by approximately 36 positions through attrition, responding to declining enrollment and the conclusion of federal COVID-19 relief funding. Despite these reductions, the district assures that student-to-staff ratios will remain stable or improve.

In addition to the budget proposal, the meeting included discussions on two propositions that will not affect taxes. The first proposition seeks approval for a $5 million capital project to upgrade HVAC systems in several schools, funded through the capital reserve. The second proposition involves the sale of a small vacant parcel of land owned by the district.

The meeting concluded with information about the upcoming Board of Education election, where two seats are contested. Board President Dr. Starr is running for reelection, while board member Vicky Smith will not seek another term.

Overall, the Albany City School District's budget proposal reflects a careful balance of maintaining educational quality while addressing financial constraints, ensuring that the needs of students and the community are prioritized.