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 School Budget Development Calendar
Dec. 1-12: Budget Priorities ThoughtExchange
Dec. 12: Board of Education Audit & Finance Committee Meeting (Discuss budget priorities)
Dec. 16: Board of Education Meeting (Discuss budget priorities)
Jan. 2026: Executive Budget Proposal released (Typically mid-Jan.)
Jan. 6, 13, 20, 27 & Feb. 3: Leadership Budget Conferences (Departments and schools)
Jan. 13: Board of Education Meeting, 2026-27 Budget Development (Establish priorities and preliminary budget assumptions)
Jan. 30: Board of Education Audit & Finance Committee Meeting (Review revenue: State Aid & Executive Budget Proposal; Tax Levy Cap; Local/Non-Tax Revenue; Preliminary budget assumptions and potential investment priorities)
Feb. 10: Board of Education Meeting, 2026-27 Budget Development (Presentation of Revenue including State Aid and Tax Levy Cap; Maintenance of effort budget and potential investment priorities)
Feb. 24: Board of Education Meeting, 2026-27 Budget Development (Presentation of First Draft of 2026-27 Budget Proposal)
March 1: Submit 2026-27 Tax Cap Calculation to the Office of the State Comptroller, Tax & Finance, State Education Department
March 10: Board of Education Meeting, 2026-27 Budget Development (Presentation of Recommended 2026-27 Budget to the board)
March 13: Board of Education Audit & Finance Committee Meeting (Discussion of Recommended 2026-27 Budget)
March 24: Board of Education Meeting, 2026-27 Budget Development (Budget discussion and possible adoption)
April 1-6: Legal notice of school budget hearing and budget vote (Must advertise four times within 7 weeks of the vote with first publication at least 45 days before date of budget vote)
April 14: Board of Education Meeting, 2026-27 Budget Development (Adoption of 2026-27 Budget if needed)
April 15: Submit Property Tax Report Card to State Education Department and local newspaper of general circulation (day after budget adoption)
April/May: Community & PTO Budget Presentations
April 20: Deadline for Submission of Petitions for Nominations of Board of
Education Candidates. Inform candidates of legal requirements for all candidates for election to the Board of Education; first sworn statement of campaign contributions due to District Clerk. Deadline for Submission of Petitions for Propositions to be Placed on the Ballot.
April 21: Drawing by District Clerk to determine of ballot order listing of
Board Candidates
April 24: Budget newsletter is mailed to all residents. Final date for budget adoption by the Board of Education (Property Tax Report Card must be submitted to NYSED by the end of the next business day following budget adoption and submitted to newspaper of general circulation). Military ballots must be mailed by this date.
May 5: Budget statement and required attachments available in school offices, website, town library, and upon request
May 12: Board of Education Meeting (Public Budget Hearing)
May 13: Budget Notice is mailed to all residents. Last day for Absentee ballots to be requested if ballot is to be mailed.
May 14-18: List of residents given Absentee ballots available for inspection
May 14: Second sworn statement of Board of Education Candidates campaign contributions or loans in excess of $1,000 due to District Clerk.
May 18: Last day for Absentee ballots to be requested in person
May 19: Statewide Budget Vote & Board of Education Election Day
June 8: Last day for Board of Education Candidates to file final campaign finance statement (within 20 days after election)
June 16: Statewide Budget Revote Day
July 1: Implement 2026-27 School Budget
Approved 2025-26 School Budget
- Budget Total: $116,121,281
- Tax levy increase: 2.29%
- Below tax levy cap of 3.58%
- Spending increase: $5,350,512
Reserve Funds
Reserve funds, like other savings plans, are mechanisms for accumulating cash for future capital outlays and other allowable purposes. The practice of planning ahead and systematically saving for capital acquisitions and other contingencies is considered prudent management. View an overview of the reserve funds the district has and the balances of each as of the end of the last fiscal year.
Voter 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. Learn more about voting and requesting an absentee ballot.
Audited Financial Statements & Fiscal Transparency
The district’s audited financial statements are audited independently each year and a state-required fiscal transparency report is filed and posted. Access financial statements and transparency reports.