Cohoes board outlines 2026–27 budget calendar; proposes zero levy and capital reserve for health and safety

The Cohoes City School District business office briefed trustees on Jan. 7 about the 2026–27 budget schedule and goals, including a proposal to seek a zero percent tax‑levy increase and a ballot proposition to establish a capital reserve dedicated to health and safety projects.

Speaker 8, the business office leader, said the district will present revenue calculations on Jan. 28, with Assemblymember John McDonald scheduled to attend that session to discuss state-level factors that affect district revenue projections. "We'll be proposing a 0 for the tax levy," Speaker 8 said, describing the district’s initial planning stance.

Timeline and required steps: Staff distributed planning worksheets to principals and directors with a two‑week return window and said budget‑committee meetings are scheduled in February; secondary program presentations are slated for March, and the board would adopt a budget on April 15 if state numbers are timely. If the state budget is delayed, staff warned the board may have to act without final state figures.

Next steps: The board will receive the revenue presentation Jan. 28 and a series of program presentations in March; staff will bring specific revenue calculations and recommend whether to place the capital‑reserve proposition on the ballot.