Budget & Taxes

Budget & Taxes News

More Budget & Taxes News

Scotia-Glenville Central School District Budget

Making well-informed choices regarding our school district’s budget is essential. The district and Board of Education are committed to working together with our community to thoughtfully navigate these challenges. 

2026-27 Budget Snapshot

  • Proposed Budget: $67,155,932
  • Spending Increase: $642,238 or 0.97%
  • Estimated Tax Rate Increase: 2.54%
  • Tax Levy Increase: $615,267 or 1.78%
  • Budget brochure including property tax report card, click here

2026-27 Budget Vote and School Board Election

May 19 from 7 a.m. – 9 p.m. in the High School B-Wing Gym

On Tuesday, May 19, Scotia-Glenville residents will be asked to consider a $67,155,932 budget for the 2026-27 school year. The proposal complies with state mandates while preserving all existing programs, services, and extracurricular activities for our students. Additionally, it maintains funding for two full-time school resource officers. Polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. in the high school B-Wing Gym.

The proposed budget reflects a spending increase of less than 1% or $642,238 from the current year. It also includes a tax levy rise of 1.78%, amounting to $615,267. For a home with an assessed value of $160,000, the estimated tax increase would be approximately $102 per year, or about $8.50 per month, before any STAR savings are applied.

In addition to the proposed budget, there will be two additional propositions included on the May 19 ballot, neither of which impact the tax levy for the 2026-27 budget. 

  • Proposition 2, which seeks approval for the purchase of a new 57-passenger diesel bus with
    wheelchair capacity will be purchased for $214,000 to replace bus 213, which is 12 years old.
  • Proposition 3, which centers on infrastructure construction at the transportation facility to facilitate the Electric Vehicle (EV) Infrastructure Upgrade Project. This initiative aligns with the district’s goal of transitioning to a zero-emission bus fleet by 2035, as required by state regulations.

During the budget workshop on March 23, Superintendent Susan Swartz and Business Manager Andrew Giaquinto outlined a budget proposal that manages staffing cuts, reducing 19 instructional and 13.61 non-instructional positions, along with administrative changes, while maintaining overall resource balance and student support. Due to attrition, unfilled vacancies, and positions filled by outside agencies, a total of 17.75 staff members are impacted. Among these, 4 have already been reassigned within the district for next year.

  • Instructional Staff: 19 positions, including 8 teachers, 1 principal, and 1 teaching assistant due to the closure of Glen-Worden Elementary School
  • Non-Instructional Staff: A total reduction of 13.61 positions, including nurses, custodians, monitors, and secretarial roles

Process calendar for 2026-2027 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 6. The Statewide Annual Budget Vote and School Board Election is on May 19 from 7 a.m. – 9 p.m. in the High School B-Wing Gym.

January 2026

Month of January departmental discussions on budgets

January 26

February 2026

February 9
Summary of 2/9 meeting – Important updates on elementary school changes and budget plans
  • Carry-Forward Update
  • First Tax Cap Discussion
  • Bus Proposition & EV Project
  • Proposition Discussion
February 23
Announcement
Summary of 2/23 meeting – Announcing transition timeline for elementary consolidation
  • Board Decision on Tax Cap

March 2026

March 1
  • Property Tax Cap Reports Due
March 2
Announcement
Summary of 3/2 Meeting – Budget workshops begin with reduction plan
March 9
  • Petitions for BOE Seats Available in District Office
  • Budget Work Session – Superintendent Swartz (meeting canceled – no quorum)
March 16
Announcement
Summary of 3/16 Meeting – Superintendent’s budget plan bridges $2.7 million gap for 2026-27
March 23
Announcement
Summary of 3/23 Meeting – 2026-27 Budget proposal and elementary transition
  • 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
  • 3/26 Presentation Slides – budget update  

    April 2026

    April 2-April 6
    • First Legal Notice
    April 20
    • Deadline for petitions turned into Business Office
    April 21
    • Drawing for ballot positions
    April 24
    • Military Ballots mailed
    April 29
    • Special Board Meeting (BOCES budget vote)

    May 2026

    May 6
    • 6 p.m. Public Budget Hearing
    • Meet the Candidate Night
    May 9
    • Last day to register to vote with the County
    May 12
    • Last day to request an absentee ballot or early ballot be mailed
    May 13
    • Budget Notice Mailed
    May 18
    • Last day to request an absentee ballot in person
    May 19
    • 7 a.m. – 9 p.m. Statewide Annual Budget Vote and School Board Election in the High School B-Wing Gym
    • 5:00 p.m. deadline for receipt of absentee ballots

    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 2026, that would be April 19.
    • You can either mail or personally deliver your ballot to District Clerk Cathy Smith 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

    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. 

    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.