Ballston Spa proposes 2.9% FY2025–26 budget increase as special education, transportation and insurance drive costs

Ballston Spa Central School District held a public budget hearing May 7 to present its proposed fiscal year 2025–26 spending plan, which district finance staff said would increase 2.9% from the current year and be funded largely by property taxes, state aid and an increased use of fund balance.

Brian Sirianni, the district’s finance presenter, told the Board of Education and members of the public that the total budget is “a 2.9% increase right at what inflation is running now,” and he walked the board through the major cost centers and revenue assumptions behind that figure.

The nut graf: The proposal aims to maintain programming while covering higher costs for special education placements, transportation and employee medical insurance. District officials said state aid and pilot payments are not keeping pace with the proposed increase, which pushes more of the gap onto property taxpayers and designated fund balance.

Instructional spending is listed as the largest operating area; Sirianni said instruction is up 2.2% overall and that special education costs are rising faster, noting a 5.7%…