Budget & Taxes

Scotia-Glenville Central School District Budget

We recognize that these are difficult decisions, and we are committed to working in partnership with our community to navigate them thoughtfully. The district will continue to communicate openly and work to ensure that any necessary reductions have the least possible impact on our students, staff, and the programs that support their success. Click here for the revised Budget Notice for the June 17 revote

SGCSD revised budget approved by voter

On Tuesday, June 17, Scotia-Glenville Central School District voters approved the district’s proposed $66,513,694 revised budget for the 2025-26 school year by a margin of 1610 to 560. Because the proposed tax levy increase of 3.25% or $1,084,331 is within the district’s tax levy limit (or “tax cap,”) a simple majority (50% +1) was needed to approve the budget. The proposal was approved by 74% of voters. 

“I am grateful to each of you who took the time to vote on the revised budget, supporting the second budget that the Board put forth. The community involvement through this year’s budget process, whether through voting, attending meetings, or sharing your thoughts, has been invaluable in shaping the direction of our district. This revised budget reflects our collective commitment to providing the best possible education for our students while navigating the financial challenges we face. Your support ensures that we can continue to prioritize instructional programs and maintain the quality of services and programs that our children deserve.” – Superintendent Susan Swartz.

Revised budget up for vote on Tuesday, June 17

Polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. in the B-Wing Gym at the high school

Budget Revote Snapshot

• Proposed Budget: $66,513,694
• Spending Increase: $1,428,500 or 2.19%
• Estimated Tax Rate Increase: 1.63%
• Tax Levy Increase: $1,084,331 or 3.25%
• Budget Revote Newsletter

Following the community’s vote to reject the initial budget proposal on May 20, which exceeded the state tax cap, the district worked diligently to revise the budget in a way that stays within the tax cap while continuing to support the needs of our students and staff.

On May 27, the Scotia-Glenville Board of Education voted to adopt a revised spending plan at the state tax levy limit, totaling $66,513,694, with an estimated tax rate increase of 1.63%. This decision was necessary to meet state deadlines for budget newsletters, ballot printing, and absentee ballot preparation for the June 17 vote. 

At a special meeting on June 2, the Scotia-Glenville Board of Education adopted a revised budget proposal that will be presented to district residents in a revote. The updated spending plan totals $66,513,694 and reduces expenses by $614,964. It lowers the proposed tax levy increase to 3.25%, bringing the budget within the state’s tax cap. The revised proposal reflects the district’s commitment to preserving instructional resources while addressing ongoing financial challenges. This reflects a decrease in spending and results in an estimated tax rate of 1.63%, down from an estimated 3.44%.

Why this budget matters

Passing this budget is critical to avoiding a contingent budget, which would result in significant cuts to staff, athletics, extracurricular activities, and other essential programs. Under a contingent budget, state laws would limit what can be funded, which would adversely impact students. If this revised budget is rejected, a contingency budget will be adopted July 1. 

How you can help

The school budget revote is fast approaching. It is crucial for every member of our community to make their voice heard at the polls on June 17. Please take time to review the details, share the information, and most importantly, vote. 

June 9 public hearing on revised budget proposal

A public hearing on the revised budget is scheduled for Monday, June 9 at 6:30 p.m. in the Middle School Cafeteria. Community members are encouraged to attend or watch the meeting via livestream on the district’s YouTube channel. The link is available on the Board of Education page of this website. 

May 20, Scotia-Glenville CSD budget voted down

On May 20, voters in the Scotia-Glenville Central School District rejected the district’s proposed budget of $67,128,658 for the 2025-26 school year. The budget required 60% approval, which equated to 1,314 votes. However, it received only 1,206 votes, amounting to 55% of the total.

The second proposition, which aimed to support an Electric Vehicle (EV) Infrastructure Project (with no impact on the 2025-26 tax levy) also failed. This proposition garnered only 1,025 votes, or 47%.

The Board of Education is expected to meet at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, May 22 to determine how to proceed. The school board now must now decide whether to present the same or revised budget proposal for a revote by June 17 or adopt a contingent budget. A contingent budget cannot increase the tax levy over the previous year, which would reduce revenue by $1,699,295 — less than the amount needed to preserve current programs, positions and services. A contingent budget would also restrict spending on new equipment, and would limit community use of the school building.

How S-G district residents voted

• Out of 2,190 votes cast, 984 voted against a proposed budget of $67,128,658 for the 2025-26 school year.
• Out of 2,185 votes cast, 1160 voted against the Electric Vehicle (EV) Infrastructure Project.  

There were two open seats for three-year terms on the Board of Education. Out of the 3,722 votes cast, this is how the four candidates fared: 

• Michael J. Torelli received 1109 of votes and will serve his first term on the Board of Education starting July 1.
• Incumbent Kimberly C. Talbot received 1015 votes and will serve a third term on the Board of Education.
• Angela V. Piazza received 827 votes and Kristina N. Coughlin received 771 votes. 

2025-26 Budget information for May 20 vote

• Click here for the 25-26 public notice for May 20 vote
• Budget newsletter
• Public Budget Hearing (video)
• Meet the Candidates Night (video)

Process calendar for 2025-2026 budget

Make your voice heard with your vote and throughout the budget approval process. The Public Budget Hearing and Meet the Candidate Night is on Wednesday, May 7. 

January 2025

• Month of January Departmental discussions on budgets
• January 27 Presentation of State Aid for 25/26 budget

February 2025

• February 10 Carry-Forward Update, First Tax Cap Discussion, Bus Proposition discussion
  Summary of 2/10 meeting 
• February 24 Special Meeting- 1st draft Carry-Forward Budget, Board decision on Tax Cap
  (Canceled – no quorum due to illness)

March 2025

• March 1 Property Tax Cap Reports Due
• March 3 Petitions for BOE Seats Available in District Office
  Budget Work Session- Susan- 1st draft of Recommended Budget, Contingency Budget
  Summary of 3/3 meeting
• March 10 Budget Work Session- Susan
  Summary of 3/10 meeting
• March 17 Budget Work Session- Susan
• Resolution for Legal Notice for Annual District Election, EV Project Prop
  Possible Adoption of Budget
  Summary of 3/17 meeting
• March 24 Regular Board Meeting -Final Date for Adoption of Budget
  Property Tax Report Card due w/in 24 hours of budget adoption
  Appoint Chairperson, Chief Inspector, Inspectors and Assistant
  Clerks for Annual District Election
  Summary of 3/24 meeting
• March 31 Special Meeting – one item, adopt a spending limit for the 25-26 budget
  Summary of 3/31 meeting

April 2025

• April 7 First Legal Notice  Summary of 4/7 meeting
• April 21 Deadline for petitions turned into Business Office
• April 22 Drawing for ballot positions
• April 25 Military Ballots mailed
• April 23 Special Board Meeting (BOCES budget vote)

May 2025

• May 7 Public Hearing and Meet the Candidate Night
• May 10 Last day to register to vote with the County
• May 14 Last day to request an absentee ballot or early ballot be mailed
• May 15 Budget Notice Mailed
• May 19 Last day to request an absentee ballot in person
• May 20 5:00 p.m.- deadline for receipt of absentee ballots

Extended for BUDGET REVOTE on June 17

• May 22 Summary of 5/22 Special Meeting
• May 27 Summary of 5/27 BOE Meeting
• June 2 Summary of 6/22 Special Meeting
• June 3 Budget document
• June 3 First Legal Notice
• June 9 Public Hearing at 6:30 p.m.
• June 10 Second Legal Notice in paper
• June 11 Last day to request ballot by mail
• June 17 Statewide Budget Revote
• June 17 All absentee/early voter ballots must be in by 5:00 p.m.

Who can vote?

Community members who are U.S. citizens may vote in the school elections if they:

• Have been a resident for at least 30 days before the May vote;
• Are at least 18 years old.

The district uses registration books from the Schenectady County Board of Elections. If you are not registered, you may vote by showing an official proof of residency.

Ability to vote by mail or in person

Can I mail my ballot?

You must fill out an application to vote by early voting or absentee ballot. There are separate applications for voting by early voting or absentee ballot, but the application process and deadlines are the same for both.

• Applications for absentee and early mail in ballots cannot be accepted more than 30 days before the election.  This year, in 2025, that would be April 20.
• You can either mail or personally deliver your ballot to District Clerk Jill Busman at the S-G District Office, located at 900 Preddice Parkway, Scotia, NY 12302.

Absentee ballots

Residents who are disabled, hos­pitalized or out of town on the day of the school budget vote may cast absentee ballots. They are available at the Scotia-Glen­ville business office, 900 Preddice Parkway (end of Lark Street), Scotia. (518) 347-3600, ext. 7102

• Absentee voters must first complete this application to vote and then com­plete the ballot itself.

Early mail ballots

In addition, the Early Mail Voter Act, effective January 1, 2024, allows for early voting via mail without any reasons needed for voting early. 

• Early mail voters must first complete this application to vote and then com­plete the ballot itself.

What if the budget were defeated?

If the school budget were defeated once, it could be amended and a second vote scheduled. If the budget were defeated twice, the Board of Education must adopt a contingency budget – meaning the tax levy would be the same as the current year’s tax levy.

How does the state’s STAR program affect my tax bill?

The New York State School Tax Relief Program (STAR), which applies only to primary residences, is paid by the state to the school district and is not administered by Scotia-Glenville.

There are two STAR programs: an older program reduces the STAR amount directly from school tax bills in September; the newer program sends the STAR amount to homeowners as a rebate check in the fall.

Basic STAR

The STAR program in 2025-26 would reduce school tax bills in Glenville by an estimated maximum of $502 for Basic STAR recipients. Property owners with incomes below $500,000 are eligible.

Enhanced STAR

For property owners who receive the Enhanced STAR deduction, the Glenville reduction in 2025-26 would be an estimated maximum of $1,199. Enhanced STAR is for property owners over age 65 with incomes of less than $107,300.