Albany board adopts $371.47 million budget, puts child‑safety zones and $100M capital project before voters
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Summary
The Albany City School District board unanimously adopted a $371,469,912 budget for 2026–27 and scheduled a May 19 vote that includes a $1.5 million child‑safety‑zones proposition and a $100 million capital project that officials said would have no tax impact.
The City School District of Albany Board of Education unanimously adopted a $371,469,912 budget for 2026–27 on April 16, approving a resolution to present the plan to voters on May 19, 2026.
The district’s business official outlined the proposal, saying the package includes a $1,500,000 line item for a child‑safety‑zones program that would expand transportation for students who live between 1 and 1.5 miles from school. That item is tied to a 1.22% tax‑levy figure presented in the board materials, which the administration said is required by the voting procedures, not a separate new spending stream beyond the proposed operating budget. "The money is already in the budget," board member (21) said during discussion.
Administrators also described a proposed 2026 capital project budgeted at $100 million that district officials said would be paid with grants, an energy performance contract and capital reserves so it would not increase taxpayers’ levy. The project would address energy efficiency, safety, equity and infrastructure across 17 buildings, the presentation said.
Board members and staff stressed that the district is adopting the budget before New York State finalizes the state budget, and that figures may be adjusted later. The superintendent framed the budget conversation as an investment in student outcomes, noting projected increases in foundation aid in the proposal.
The board voted unanimously to adopt the resolution to place the budget before voters on May 19. No roll‑call tally was recorded in the meeting transcript; the chair announced the vote was unanimous.
What's next: the district is holding community presentations and high‑school tours to explain Propositions 2 (child safety zones) and 3 (capital project). Voters may request absentee ballots per district instructions; the board clerk has a petition and candidate‑filing information available through the district website.
Sources: Board meeting remarks and budget presentation by district staff.
