Guilderland board narrows proposed cuts, proposes partial restoration of first-grade teaching assistants after public outcry

Guilderland Central School District administrators on March 25 proposed restoring a portion of the teaching-assistant hours targeted for elimination in first grade, after several hours of public comment from parents, teachers and students warning that larger classes and fewer aides would harm early learning and classroom safety.

The district recommended creating a 35-hour pool of first-grade TA time to be allocated among elementary schools based on enrollment and sections, funded in part by appropriating $168,400 from this year’s one-time surplus and by increasing the tax levy to the district cap. Administrators said the proposal would leave the draft 2025–26 budget up 1.88% year over year, with an estimated homeowner tax increase of about 1.53% and a levy increase of 2.2%.

Why it matters: Parents and teachers said the change would directly affect small-group reading and behavior support for 6- and 7-year-olds, a formative year for literacy and classroom routines. School officials warned that relying on one-time funds to cover recurring staffing leaves the district exposed to future federal and state funding shifts, transportation cost swings and other unanticipated expenses.

Administrators framed the recommendation as a compromise. Andrew (district staff member) reviewed long-term fund-balance trends and said the district typically maintains an unassigned fund balance equal to 4% of the budget (this year’s 4% total was reported as $5,007,713). He told the board the district needs a modest surplus this year—he cited figures of about $91,000–$94,000—to preserve that 4% target next year without drawing further on reserves. Superintendent Dr. Marie Wiles and business officers told board members they prefer preserving a healthy fund balance to protect the district’s credit rating and to avoid the kinds of multi‑year layoffs the district faced after the Great Recession.

Public comment: The board heard more than two dozen written comments and numerous in-person statements during two public-comment periods, nearly all urging the board to keep first-grade TA support and to avoid larger classes at Altamont Elementary. Third-grader Gunnar Wilson told the board, “Please keep our class sizes small. It helps me learn better and stay focused.” Several first-grade teachers and the president of the Guilderland Teachers Association, Emily Minow, described how TAs enable daily small-group instruction, help with medical and safety needs and substitute when no substitute teacher is available.

Board reaction and next steps: Board members pressed administrators on alternatives and asked whether any reductions or vacancies elsewhere could be reallocated to protect classroom support. Administrators said they had already pared some openings and reallocated positions since a March 11 workshop, including eliminating an open auto-mechanic position and a custodial supervisor role, and adjusting FTEs for reading and special education to reflect updated staffing needs. The board requested continued review and asked the administration to return with any additional adjustments before the April vote timeline.

Votes at a glance (items acted on at the March 25 meeting): - Memorandum of agreement (superintendent action item 15a): motion to accept (mover: Kelly; second: Katie). Passed, voice vote 9–0. - Consent agenda (financial reports, committee recommendations, tenure): motion to approve (mover: Tara; second: Nina). Passed, voice vote 9–0. - SEQRA negative declaration for the 2025 capital project (roll-call): passed (unanimous roll‑call “yes”). - Capital bond proposition for the 2025 capital project (roll-call): adopted (unanimous roll‑call “yes”). - RFP awards (workers’ compensation third‑party administrator to Benetech; property-value inspection services to Questar3; unemployment third‑party services to Industrial UI): all approvals passed 9–0. - Other routine items (general-fund transfers, installment purchase agreement for instructional technology, classroom rental agreement with YMCA, creation of the Marie Wiles scholarship and assorted MOAs): all approved as listed in the agenda (majority/unanimous where recorded).

What was not decided: The board did not adopt a final 2025–26 budget at the meeting; members and staff said they expect to finalize a budget and a newsletter for families after continued review before the district’s legal deadlines in April. Multiple board members asked administrators to continue seeking budget savings and to prioritize restoration of any positions if one‑time revenue appears before adoption. Administrators reiterated that the $168,400 in the TA proposal comes from a one-time surplus and that relying on such funds for recurring personnel increases future budget risk.

Ending: The administration will return with any new options, and the board emphasized it will continue review of staff vacancies and expenditures before the April timeline for budget adoption. In the meantime, public commenters and classroom teachers said they will continue to press the board to preserve TA hours for first grade.