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Menands UFSD presents draft 2026–27 budget with $183,957 shortfall; board approves contract extensions and MOAs
Summary
At a board workshop the district presented draft one of the 2026–27 budget showing proposed expenditures of just over $14 million and a $183,957 gap. Leaders proposed using part of fund balance, pursuing short-term borrowing for a potential capital start, and deferred final benefit allocations to the next draft; the board approved several contracts and memoranda of agreement.
The Menands Union Free School District presented draft one of its 2026–27 budget at a board workshop, showing proposed expenditures slightly above $14 million against anticipated revenues of roughly $13.8 million and leaving a gap of about $183,957.
The superintendent, who led the presentation, said the district is not planning staff reductions in draft one and that the gap will be addressed as officials refine benefits, BOCES commitments and other line items ahead of a hoped-for April adoption. “I do not anticipate coming to you and asking for any reductions,” she said, adding that some targeted use of fund balance and short-term borrowing could be options if the district proceeds earlier on a capital project.
District leaders described the budget in three components: administrative, capital and program. Administrative lines were largely flat, with a modest increase in the business office to fund a proposed district treasurer. The capital component includes a bond anticipation note to permit short-term borrowing if a roof/capital project begins in summer 2026; that borrowing accounts for much of the capital-line increase. Program (instructional) salaries are up mainly for contractual reasons, and the district projects an overall program-salary increase of about 5.4%.
The presentation flagged a sharp rise in out-of-district special-education tuition—projected to grow from about $500,000 last year to roughly $911,000 this year—attributed to at least four newly enrolled students with high or specialized needs. BOCES instructional services were also flagged for review after the board asked staff to break down that bill more precisely in the next workshop.
On revenue, the superintendent noted a tax-cap–level levy increase of about 2.01%, higher PILOT receipts tied to local developments and an expected bump in building aid once state run numbers update after the district closed a prior capital project. She recommended increasing the unassigned fund balance target from $900,000 to $1.1 million and said the board should consider using a portion (the presentation mentioned up to about $200,000) to manage short-term borrowing costs.
Board action following the workshop included unanimous voice votes to approve routine financial items and to take several contract and personnel actions. The board authorized extensions of transportation contracts with Dattco School Services and StarinStrand Transportation for the 2026–27 school year, each subject to approval by the New York State Commissioner of Education, and approved multiple contracts recommended by the superintendent. The district also approved memoranda of agreement with the Menands Teachers Association and for a psychologist (successor agreements dated July 1, 2023–June 30, 2027).
The district plans a second budget workshop on March 30 to finalize BOCES commitments, benefits allocations and health-insurance decisions (the district’s current carrier, CDPHP, is facing a near-18% rate increase). The board was told that draft two should clarify benefit allocations to administrative, capital and program components and that any formal adoption would be scheduled in April.
The board’s public session then moved on to other agenda items and adjourned to executive session without further public votes.
