South Colonie outlines 2026–27 budget priorities, tax‑cap estimate and May bond proposition
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Summary
District staff presented 2026–27 student support priorities, explained the tax‑cap inputs and proposed a May 19 vote with four propositions including a $13 million borrowing to leverage $4.7 million in capital reserve for NextGen capital work and air‑conditioning upgrades.
District staff presented details of the 2026–27 budget development and a proposed capital plan that would go to voters in May.
Ms. McAllister, presenting the student support services portion of the budget, said the district must submit a preliminary tax‑cap figure to the state by March 1 and plans to submit 3.5128% while estimating a 3.49% levy increase for planning purposes. She described the tax‑cap calculation as the combination of (1) the allowable levy‑proportion (the 2% cap component), (2) the tax‑base growth factor (this year ~1.0031) and (3) any capital exclusions.
On capital work, Ms. McAllister said the district is proposing a May 19 ballot with four propositions: the annual operating budget and board election; a bus purchase program; a capital proposition to borrow $13,000,000 and use $4,700,000 from capital reserve to expand air‑conditioning/cooling in renovated classrooms and advance NextGen work; and re‑establishing a capital reserve up to $10,000,000 for future projects. “We would like to borrow 13,000,000 to be able to use the 4.7 to cover that local share,” she said, adding the approach maximizes building aid and seeks to avoid taxpayer impact.
Ms. McAllister also described proposed staffing investments in student support services, including moving a 0.5 psychologist to full‑time and adding a part‑time behavior specialist to support district‑wide behavioral interventions. She said program section restorations (additional co‑teach sections at several elementary and middle schools) are planned using current staffing where possible.
Board members asked about enrollment trends and tax‑base growth; Ms. McAllister said the district’s enrollment has crept up (class sizes approaching 400) but the tax base has limited commercial growth. The board was told that further budget details will be available at the March 10 instructional budget presentation and subsequent workshops; budget adoption, a public hearing and the May 19 vote follow that schedule.