South Colonie presents first-draft 2025-26 budget with 3.49% levy increase tied to capital project

Superintendent Dr. Perry and finance staff presented the South Colonie Central School District's first draft of the 2025-26 budget at the March 11 board meeting, proposing a 3.49% tax-levy increase tied to the district's next-generation capital project.

The draft calls for $139,000,000 in proposed expenditures, roughly $10,000,000 higher than the current year, with the majority of that increase attributed to capital project expenses. The district reports a preliminary budget gap of $164,000 as of March 11; board staff described several gap-closing options, including use of assigned fund balance and selective reductions.

The administration said the 3.49% levy figure reflects three components that feed the tax-cap calculation: the allowable levy growth factor, the tax base growth factor and a capital exclusion tied to the capital project. Without the capital exclusion the levy increase would be about 2.5%, staff said; the additional 1% is the capital exclusion voters approved in October 2022, the presentation said.

In a detailed presentation, Director of Finance (presented by Miss…