Schuylerville School District Budget Details: Public Hearing on May 6, Vote on May 20

SCHUYLERVILLE — Last month, the Schuylerville Board of Education adopted the 2025-26 budget proposal that will go before voters on Tuesday, May 20. Qualified voters will be able to vote from 12:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. in the District Office Board of Education room.

The $40 million proposed budget calls for a 1.71% spending increase and an estimated tax levy of 1.9%, which is below the district’s allowable tax cap. Tax rates for individual properties will be determined over the summer once equalization rates and assessments are available for the district’s seven towns. 

Year to year, the budget always includes previously-agreed upon salary increases from all current contracts, as well as increases or decreases to other expenses depending on the needs of the district. 

State aid is historically a large portion of Schuylerville’s revenue each year, equating to about half the district’s budget. This year, in Governor Hochul’s executive budget proposal, Schuylerville received a 2% increase in foundation aid, but will lose building aid, which corresponds to a bond that’s expiring. This results in a projected decrease in overall revenue from the 2024-25 budget. The district intends to use $1.7 million of fund balance to cover the gap of lost revenue and expenditure increases. Over the next two years, the district plans to reduce the use of fund balance to a more manageable figure of $1 million.

If the 2025-26 proposed budget is voted down, the Board of Education has the following options: 

Put another budget (revised or not) up for a vote in June

Immediately adopt a contingent budget

If the district adopts a contingent budget, there can be no increase to the tax levy from the prior year. Ordinary contingent expenses may also have to be reduced to ensure no increase to the tax levy.

A public hearing on the proposed 2025-26 budget will be held on May 6 at 6 p.m. in the Schuylerville High School Auditorium.

During the May 20 annual budget vote, voters will elect two members to the Schuylerville CSD Board of Education to fill the following positions:

One five-year term beginning July 1, 2025. The seat is currently held by Bernie Buff.

One term that will commence immediately after the May 20th election (or as close thereto) to succeed Michael Bodnar, who resigned effective Aug. 31, 2024. The term expires June 30, 2027. The seat is currently held by Shaun Cumm, who was appointed by the Board of Education to fill the vacancy for the 2024-25 school year.

Candidate profiles are due Monday, April 21 by 5:00 p.m. Questions can be directed to Board of Education Clerk, Jennifer Tompkins at (518) 695-3255, ext. 3242.

Capital Project Proposal

A capital project proposal is also scheduled for a vote on May 20, alongside the annual budget vote. The district invites community members to attend an information session to learn more about the proposed capital project on Thursday, May 1 at 6 p.m.