The Votes Are In: School Budgets Approved, New Board Members Elected 

SARATOGA SPRINGS — Unofficial election results released late Tuesday night into Wednesday morning told an unsurprising tale: voters of the Saratoga Springs, Ballston Spa, and Schuylerville school districts approved their respective budget proposals by wide margins and voted new board members into office in largely uncontested elections.

Only one ballot proposition was met with any significant resistance. Ballston Spa School District residents narrowly supported their district’s efforts to buy an electric school bus by a margin of 161 votes. The bus is expected to be a pilot program of sorts to test the range, cost, and efficiency of a zero-emission vehicle prior to 2027, when all districts across New York State will be required to begin purchasing electric vehicles for their transportation fleets.

Saratoga Springs

Residents of the Saratoga Springs City School District approved the proposed $159,398,849 school budget for the 2025-2026 school year by a vote of 2,282 to 568. Voters also approved the following propositions:  

• The Bus Bond Proposition was approved by a vote of 2,284 to 560; 
• The Legacy 2025 Capital Project Referendum was approved by a vote of 2,312 to 520; 
• The Capital Reserve Fund Proposition was approved by a vote of 2,346 to 491. 
• Three candidates were also elected to the Board of Education. The vote counts were as follows:   
• Ashley Fogarty – 2,288 votes 
• Leigh Wilton – 2,182 votes 
• Natalya Lakhtakia – 2,175 votes

As of press time, these results were unofficial prior to being formally accepted by the Board of Education at a meeting scheduled for May 21 at 7 p.m.

Ballston Spa

Residents of the Ballston Spa Central School District approved the 2025-2026 budget proposal of $110,305,520 with an unofficial vote of 77% “yes” to 23% “no.” A total of 1,342 votes were cast. Three other propositions were also approved:

• Prop 2 – School Vehicles: 1,031 “yes” to 310 “no”
• Prop 3 – Electric Bus: 751 “yes” to 590 “no”
• Prop 4 – Library: 1,125 “yes” to 219 “no”

Two candidates were elected to the Board of Education, with both seats beginning in July. Carrie Chapman received 1,042 votes and Tim Turbiak received 915 votes.

These vote tallies were unofficial as of press time, pending formal approval.

Schuylerville 

Residents of the Schuylerville Central School District passed a $40 million budget for the 2025-26 school year by a vote of 510 to 128. The capital project proposal also passed by a vote of 501 to 129.

Voters elected two members to the Board of Education to fill the following positions:

One five-year term beginning July 1. The seat will be held by Shaun Cumm, who received 514 votes.

One term that will commence immediately after the May 20 election (or as close thereto) and expires on June 30, 2027. The seat will be held by Bernie Buff, who received 500 votes.

In the Schuylerville Public Library Board of Trustees election, voters elected two candidates: Laura Dooley (538 votes) and BriAnne Mulligan (474 votes).They will each fill a three-year term ending in 2028. In addition, the Schuylerville Public Library’s budget appropriation proposition passed 558 to 80, increasing the annual budget appropriation by $32,000 to a total of $409,000.

“We’re grateful to our community for their continued support of Schuylerville students, staff, and schools,” said Superintendent Dr. Ryan Sherman in a statement. “The approval of both the budget and the capital project proposal allows us to maintain the high-quality programs our families expect, while ensuring our facilities remain efficient and prepared for the future.”

“This vote demonstrates our community’s commitment to thoughtful planning and the continued success of our students,” said Board of Education President Bernie Buff. “These approvals ensure we can move forward with key improvements—both educational and infrastructural. We are grateful for the support of our voters.”