Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the District Budget topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
South Colonie board adopts $139 million 2025-26 budget; tax and capital debt drive increase
Summary
The South Colonie Central School District Board of Education approved a $139,000,005.50 balanced budget for 2025-26 and moved propositions to May 20 ballots; board members said much of the increase is attributable to new capital-project debt tied to ongoing high school work.
The South Colonie Central School District Board of Education approved a $139,000,005.50 balanced budget for fiscal year 2025-26 at its April 23 meeting, with a 6-0 roll call vote.
Board members heard a presentation from district finance staff summarizing the budget before the vote. The district said the proposed levy increase is tied largely to new capital-project debt from ongoing high school and district facility work; aid increases — including projected building and foundation aid related to completed projects — are expected to offset part of the cost.
During a brief recap, the district reported an expenditure increase of roughly $10 million (about an 8.36% change noted in the presentation) and said approximately 43% of the year-to-year increase is related to debt service for capital projects. The presentation listed programmatic changes including pathway enhancements and class-size reductions; staff said there have been no material changes since the second draft of the budget.
Board members also reviewed the schedule for public review and voting. A public hearing is set for May 6 at 6:30 p.m. at Saddlewood Elementary; the district’s voting day for propositions — including the annual budget, a bus purchase proposition, and a board seat — will be held May 20 at Lycheekill and Sand Creek polling locations from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. The district encouraged use of early/absentee voting options.
Votes at a glance
- Approval of minutes (regular meeting 04/08/2025): Passed, voice vote. (Recorded as 5-0 earlier in the meeting.) - Reports and recommendations (items a–e): Approved, voice vote, 6-0. - Instructional personnel changes (pages 13–14): Approved, roll call/voice vote, 6-0. - Support personnel changes (pages 15–16): Approved, voice vote, 6-0. - Adoption of annual budget 2025-26 (resolution): Approved, roll call vote, 6-0. - Real Property Tax Report Card 2025-26: Approved, 6-0. - Resolution appointing election personnel: Approved, 6-0. - Capital Region BOCES budget vote: Board cast a yes vote; recorded as 6-0 in favor. - Capital Region BOCES election ballot for board members (up to four candidates): Board cast ballot; motion carries 6-0. - Memorandum of understanding for one employee (allowing credit toward retirement milestone): Approved, 6-0. - District resolutions (Asia-Pacific American Heritage Month; National Physical Education and Sport Week; National Teacher Appreciation Week; National School Nurse Day): Approved, 6-0. - Motion to enter executive session to discuss fiscal and employment matters: Approved, 6-0.
The board chair and finance staff emphasized that building-aid timing affects the district’s net budget picture: projects completed this summer are expected to receive aid next year, which the presentation described as an important offset to debt-service increases.
The board set a public hearing on May 6 and the budget vote on May 20. The district also noted routine propositions on the May 20 ballot, including the bus purchase and a board seat where the incumbent is running unopposed.
