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South Colonie board adopts proposed 2026–27 budget, sends four propositions to May 19 vote
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Summary
The South Colonie Central School District board adopted a proposed 2026–27 spending plan and approved related propositions — including a bus purchase, Stage 2B capital work and a $10 million capital reserve — sending the measures to the May 19 public ballot following a 6–0 roll-call adoption.
The South Colonie Central School District Board of Education voted 6–0 on May 19 to adopt a proposed budget for the 2026–27 school year and to place four propositions before district voters on May 19.
Miss McAllister (district budget presenter) told the board the document presented was a second, near-final draft built on the governor’s proposal and current legislative numbers: the plan prioritizes “academic equity and opportunities for all students,” continued work on the district’s Next Generation capital program and targeted programmatic enhancements, she said. Enrollment for preK–12 was cited at about 5,139 students, and the district is presenting a maximum budget based on available state-aid projections.
Why it matters: The adopted budget moves to a public vote on May 19; if voters approve the propositions, the district will fund capital-phase work, a bus purchase and establish a new capital reserve while keeping the local tax levy change within the state’s cap framework.
What the board approved and why: McAllister said the draft closes an earlier roughly $800,000 gap through a combination of fund-balance appropriations and targeted reductions, while preserving instructional priorities. She listed several numerical details included in the draft: a total budget increase of 5.77 percent (an increase of about $8 million), instruction costs rising by $3,290,000 and debt service rising by $2,480,000; the district plans to levy the same 3.49 percent tax rate as last year with an additional 1 percent capital debt component that funds the capital program.
The board also advanced four propositions that will appear to voters on May 19: Proposition 1, the annual operating budget; Proposition 2, a bus purchase (diesel buses for this ballot cycle); Proposition 3, an expansion of stage 2B capital work (including auditorium, locker‑room and toilet renovations and work on the transportation center site); and Proposition 4, creation of a new $10 million capital reserve to support future projects. Miss McAllister said the district currently has roughly $4.7 million in capital reserves that could be leveraged as local share to access greater state building aid.
Superintendent Doctor Perry (speaker 4) framed Proposition 3 — the capital project work and the transportation center previewed by architects — as a way to maximize state building aid (the district’s building-aid ratio was described as about 69.2 percent). Perry said using reserves to leverage state aid could allow the district to accomplish about $13 million of work with no immediate tax impact. He also described the district’s decision not to include additional electric buses in the bus proposition, citing ongoing charging problems with a single 24‑passenger EV bus obtained through grants and current planning for a new transportation facility.
Board action and votes: After an executive session on fiscal and employment matters, the board returned and adopted the annual budget on a roll‑call vote, 6–0. The board had earlier approved consent items, policy committee recommendations and personnel rosters, and it approved a resolution to accept contractors for Stage 2B of the capital project; those motions were recorded as passing by voice vote (all recorded as 6–0).
What voters will see on May 19: The ballot will include the district’s annual operating budget and three capital-related measures (bus purchase; Stage 2B capital improvements; and establishment of a $10 million capital reserve). The district also noted two open board seats that will appear on the notice of annual meeting and voter materials.
Details and next steps: Miss McAllister said the district’s numbers are built on the state‑aid proposals available at the time of presentation and that the board may adjust if final state figures differ. The district will submit the real property tax report card to the state as required; if voters approve the propositions, district staff will move forward with contractor agreements for Stage 2B and scheduling for the transportation center planning. The board adjourned after moving the administrative items and finalizing the adopted budget.
Vote at a glance - Approval of minutes (March 10 and March 23): motion carried, 6–0. - Policy revisions recommended by the policy committee: approved, 6–0. - Reports and recommendations for action (consent): approved, 6–0. - Personnel — instruction and support appointments and title changes: approved, 6–0. - Resolution approving contractors for capital project Stage 2B: approved, 6–0. - Motion to adopt the 2026–27 budget (roll call): approved, 6–0.
Who said what (selected quotes) - Miss McAllister, budget presenter: "This is our maximum budget that we would be putting forward for our taxpayers in May." (presentation of draft budget and propositions) - Doctor Perry, superintendent: "The reserve capital fund is exactly to be used for those things. It requires voter approval, but it's meant for capital improvements." (on using reserves to leverage state aid)
The board’s adopted budget and the four propositions will appear on the May 19 ballot. The district will submit required paperwork to the state and publish voter materials in advance of the election.
