Proposed budget maintains program advancement, stays within tax levy limit
The Niskayuna CSD Board of Education unanimously approved a 2026-27 proposed $121,302,975 spending plan at its Tuesday, April 14, meeting. District residents will vote on the spending plan at the upcoming budget vote and board of education election on Tuesday, May 19.
If approved, the district will maintain the significant service and program investments made over the past several years. District leaders have taken a careful look at areas where they can reduce spending in order to account for increased costs and implement additional programming.
The budget adds a middle school project-based learning teacher for next year and supports the expansion of special education programming and business education, with an Advanced Placement Business with Personal Finance course to be introduced at the high school.
The proposed budget will continue a strong academic program; support ongoing evolution of middle level education in the district; support student mental health and well-being, social emotional learning and safety and security; and continue to pursue operational excellence.
In addition to the budget, residents will vote to elect two members to the Board of Education and to decide on the purchase of nine school buses as part of the district’s ongoing Bus Replacement Plan, totaling $1,828,479.
The proposal addresses the diverse needs of students while minimizing its financial impact on taxpayers. It calls for a 2.47% increase in the tax levy for next year – at the district’s legal limit, as defined by New York’s tax levy cap legislation. Because the tax levy increase remains at the this limit, a simple majority of voters (50% + 1) is needed to pass the budget.
“We believe this is a thoughtful and carefully crafted budget proposal,” said Superintendent of Schools Carl Mummenthey. “We have considered cost savings across the district and made intentional choices about funding new programs. We know the future may present additional challenges as inflation continues to outpace the amount of aid we receive from the state.”
The proposal also aligns with the district’s 2026-27 budget priorities, shaped by community input gathered through this year’s ThoughtExchange prompt.
Proposed staffing changes
The proposed budget would:
- Add 1.0 full-time equivalent (FTE) high school special education teacher.
- Add 1.0 FTE middle school project-based learning teacher.
- Add 1.0 FTE middle school special education teacher (budget neutral).
- Add 0.5 FTE high school social worker (grant funded).
- Add 0.2 FTE high school business education teacher.
- Reduce 4.0 FTE vacant teaching assistant positions throughout the district.
Additional reductions will balance budget
In order to balance the budget for the upcoming school year, the district reduced approximately $550,000 through careful consideration. Money saved through these reductions will be reallocated strategically to support high-priority investments.
Bus proposition
The second ballot proposition asks voters to approve $1,828,479 to go toward the purchase of nine new buses, including two 30 passenger wheelchair diesel buses, two 36 passenger diesel buses, four 77 passenger full size diesel buses and two 70 passenger electric buses.
The district will be reimbursed by the state for approximately 73.4% of the bus purchase cost of the diesel buses, and is eligible for $441,000 in state incentives for the electric buses from the New York State Energy Research Development Authority.
The proposition is part of the district’s annual bus replacement plan, which replaces the oldest buses each year in order to maintain a safe and operational fleet, and controls the maintenance costs that come with keeping older buses on the road.
Voters approved the purchase of two electric buses as part of the May 2024 budget vote, in anticipation of the approaching 2027 state mandate which will require every bus purchase to be an electric vehicle (EV). These buses were added to the fleet as part of a pilot program during the current school year. The district is currently completing a fleet electrification study and intends to apply for a two year waiver from the 2027 mandate to provide extra time to phase in electric vehicles.
A public budget hearing will be held at 6 p.m., on Tuesday, May 12, in the District Office Board Room.
Board of education candidate information
Read more about the district’s board of education candidates here. A “Meet the Candidates Night” will be held at 7 p.m. on May 5, in the District Office Board Room.
What happens if the budget is defeated?
If the proposed budget is defeated at the polls on May 19, state law gives the board of education three options. Board members may decide to put the same budget before voters again, put a revised budget before voters or adopt a contingent budget. If voters defeat the budget a second time, the board must adopt a contingent budget. Under a contingent budget, a school district’s tax levy cannot increase at all.
Contingent budget rules say:
- A contingent budget cannot include money for non-contingent expenses, such as furniture, equipment or new capital projects (those not previously approved by voters).
- The administrative portion of a contingent budget is subject to restrictions.
- Under a contingent budget, the district is required to charge for public use of school buildings and grounds.
What would a contingent budget mean for Niskayuna?
For Niskayuna, bringing the tax levy increase down to zero means that a 2026-27 contingent budget would require the district to cut $1,637,060 from the current spending plan.
In order to reduce the budget by this amount, after eliminating money for non-contingent expenses as required, the district would consider making additional cuts that would affect staffing, programs and services across all levels and district departments.
The school budget vote and board of education election will be held on Tuesday, May 19, from 7 a.m.-9 p.m. at Niskayuna High School.