Board adopts $127.55 million budget; schedules public vote for May 20

The Guilderland Central School District Board of Education voted 8–0 on April 8 to adopt a proposed budget of $127,547,392 for the 2025–26 school year and to submit it to district voters for the May 20 budget vote.

The proposed budget, as presented to the board, restores approximately 70% of teaching-assistant positions the administration had proposed to cut and makes other adjustments intended to close the gap between expenditures and revenues. The board also approved the district's property tax report card for submission to the New York State Education Department, voting 8–0.

Board discussion referenced the tight calendar around the state budget. A board member asked what disadvantage there would be to delaying adoption until after the governor's budget; the administration said the latest practical date to re-adopt and still meet communications deadlines would be April 21 and that it could not guarantee additional state aid by delaying.

The board president’s remarks noted the budget season had been “one of our more challenging budget development seasons” and thanked staff and board members for their work in assembling the proposal.

The resolution adopted by the board reads in part: “Be it resolved that the Board of Education adopt a proposed budget in the amount of $127,547,392 for the school year 2025–26 and submit same to the voters of the district to be voted upon at the annual district vote and election on 05/20/2025.” The motion to adopt carried 8–0.

What happens next: the adopted budget will be presented to district voters on Tuesday, May 20. The district also provided voter-registration and petition information for prospective board candidates and reminded residents of registration dates and signature requirements for running for the board.

Board members who moved and seconded the adoption were recorded in the meeting minutes; the motion was seconded by Kelly and carried unanimously.