The South Colonie Central School District has presented the initial draft of its proposed 2025-26 budget to the Board of Education on Tuesday, March 11, at Saddlewood Elementary School. The district is continuing its fiscal planning process, focusing on maintaining key programs that promote equitable academic opportunities while enhancing student access to essential services.

Key Highlights

• Proposed Budget Total: $138.93 million, reflecting an increase of $10.3 million (7.99%) from the current year.
• Expenditures: Includes replacing retirements, adding new positions, and anticipated increases in capital and debt projections. Additional expenses, such as increases for BOCES and liability insurance, are still being finalized.
• Budget Gap: The first draft reflects a projected budget gap of $164,203 due to rising expenses, including health insurance, salaries, and inflation.
• Tax Levy: The proposed tax levy is set at 3.49%, slightly below the maximum allowable increase. This includes the phased-in tax impact for the Next Gen Capital Project, which was approved by South Colonie voters in October 2022. Starting in 2025-2026, this levy will add an additional 1% to cover the costs of the project.
• Bus Proposition: Residents will vote on a bus replacement plan that includes replacing ten older buses and adding one electric bus to the fleet.
• State and Federal Aid: Governor Hochul’s executive budget offers funding estimates for South Colonie. The final state budget and state aid runs, due by April 1, may affect the district’s funding structure. Changes in federal administration could also impact federal grants for the 2025-2026 budget.

"We are committed to improving facilities for the next generation of Colonie, while being fiscally responsible and mindful of the long-term needs of our community," said Jacqlene McAllister, Assistant Superintendent for Strategic Planning and Management Services. "Although the first draft reflects a budget gap, our focus is on maintaining the high quality of education that supports our students' academic success and well-being. In the coming weeks, we will work closely with our team  to explore a variety of solutions, including expenditure reductions, utilizing reserves, and other strategic measures to close the gap without compromising the educational experience for our students."

The second draft of the budget will be presented on Tuesday, April 8, at 6:30 p.m. at Shaker Road Elementary. The meeting will also be livestreamed on the district’s YouTube channel.

Budget Vote

The budget vote will take place on Tuesday, May 20, from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. at Sand Creek or Lisha Kill Middle Schools.

For more information, visit the budget section of the district website.

First Draft 2025-26 Budget

Link to presentation