Departments & Services Links
About School Budget & Finance
Public schools are among the most significant investments that any community makes collectively. District leaders work to make the most effective use of resources to benefit students, to develop and manage the budget in a responsible and transparent manner, and to be accountable to taxpayers.
2026-27 Budget
- Budget Total: $121,302,975
- Tax Levy Increase: $1,637,000 (2.47%)
- Spending increase: $5,181,694
Budget Priorities
In Niskayuna, the annual school budget is a reflection of the district’s strategic direction, values and priorities. The district strives to balance needed and desired investments in education with responsiveness to taxpayers.
The Niskayuna Central School District focused on the following budget priorities as district officials and the board of education collaborated to develop a 2026-27 spending plan:
Continue a strong academic program that provides for student growth, support and exploration.
- Strengthen existing curriculum and support programs, refine academic support models Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS) and expand college and career pathways aligned with the Portrait of a Graduate.
- Continue to adapt special education programming based on student needs.
- Maintain strong investment in professional development and training connected to strategic priorities.
- Expand prekindergarten programming to serve more Niskayuna four-year-old learners.
Support the ongoing evolution of middle school learning in Niskayuna.
- Continue to plan, develop and implement program recommendations from the Middle School Redesign Team.
- Provide for staffing needs in all areas with grade 6 at Van Antwerp and grades 7-8 at Iroquois.
- Assess transportation system needs for fully reconfigured middle schools (2027-28).
Provide robust support for student mental health and well-being, social-emotional learning, and safety and security.
- Continue to provide student mental health support and relevant social-emotional learning at all grade levels.
- Maintain support for the Therapeutic Crisis Intervention for Schools (TCIS) system.
- Sustain the District’s School Resource Officer program and school-based safety and security teams to ensure consistent protocols, presence and support in all schools.
Pursue operational excellence as an employer of choice.
- Continue outreach across the community, region and beyond to build a diverse workforce and strategic efforts to build a high-performing, supportive workplace.
- Expand bus driver retention and recruitment efforts to improve student and family experiences.
- Support information technology and instructional technology programs that meet the needs of today’s teachers, staff and students.
- Continue ongoing facilities investments and efforts to plan for the future.
2026-27 School Budget Development Calendar
The School Budget Development Calendar is a timeline that outlines the key dates, community feedback opportunities, and administrative milestones for developing and approving the 2026–27 school budget.
Budget Information
- 2026-27 School Budget Newsletter
- 2026-27 School Budget Notice
- 2026-27 Proposed School Budget
- 2026-27 Propositions
Financial Statements & Fiscal Transparency
The district’s audited financial statements are audited each year independently, and a state-required fiscal transparency report is filed and posted.
Tax Information & STAR
When the school district creates its annual budget plan, it considers several important things. This includes school taxes, which are what homeowners pay, and the tax levy, which is the total amount of money the school district plans to collect from property taxes. Additionally, the New York State School Tax Relief (STAR) program plays a key role in how these tax rates affect your individual school bill.
Voting Information
The annual school budget vote and Board of Education election takes place on the third Tuesday in May each year. Voting takes place at Niskayuna High School between the hours of 7 a.m. and 9 p.m. To vote, you must be a U.S. citizen, 18 years or older, and a district resident for at least 30 days prior to the vote. Personal identification and proof of residence may be requested. Absentee ballots are also made available prior to each vote.
Purchasing Office – Active Bids & Requests for Proposals
The Purchasing Office is committed to the prudent and economical use of public funds through structured purchasing and cooperative bidding.
Our Schools, Our Future
Learn about Capital Improvement Projects and NCSD’s progress in creating future-ready, team-based learning environments.
Smart Schools Investment Plan
As required by the Smart Schools Bond Act (SSBA), school districts must post their final Smart Schools Investment Plan online. The plan outlines how the district will participate in the Smart Schools Bond Act of 2014, which authorized $2 billion in state funding for educational technology and infrastructure.
- View more regarding the Smart Schools Investment Plan.
Budget Archive
2025-26 Budget
- Budget Total: $116,121,281
- Tax levy increase: $1,486,549 (2.29%)
- Spending increase: $5,350,512
2024-25 Budget
- Budget Total: $110,770,769
- Tax levy increase: $1,274,459 (2%)
- Spending increase: $2,965,605
2023-24 Budget
- Budget Total: $107,805,164
- Tax levy increase: $7,952,097 (2.34%)
- Spending increase: $1,453,249
2022-23 Budget
- Budget Total: $99,853,607
- Tax levy increase: $1,734,465 (2.87%)
- Spending increase: $6,795,555
2021-22 Budget
- Budget Total: $93,057,512
- Tax levy increase: $695,984 (1.17%)
- Spending increase: $2,260,892
Accessibility Note
If you are unable to access any document on this page, please contact the Communications Office at (518) 377-4666, ext. 50707 to request the information in another format.