Budget & Taxes

Budget & Taxes News

2023-24 Budget snapshot

Approved Budget: $62,959,582
Spending Increase: $2,684,633 or 4.45%
Tax Levy Increase: $941,814 or 2.99%

Voters approve budget and elect three members for school board

On Tuesday, May 16, polls were open from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. for Scotia Glenville residents to vote on the 2023-24 school budget, bus proposition, and three open seats on the Board of Education.

Voters approved the district’s proposed $62,959,582 budget for the 2023-24 school year by a margin of 823-223; and elected Karnjit Singh (678 votes), Kimberly Boucher Furnish (695 votes), and incumbent Pamela Carbone (629 votes) to serve three-year terms on the Board of Education. 80% of voters also approved a proposition to purchase one 72-passenger school bus, one 57-passenger bus with wheelchair capacity, and one Suburban.

Because the proposed tax levy increase of 2.99% or $941,814 meets the district’s allowable limit under the state’s property tax cap law, a simple majority vote (50% plus one vote) was needed to approve the budget. The budget proposal was approved by 79% of voters.

2023-24 school budget votes

  • Out of 1,046 votes cast, 823 voted to approve a budget of $62,959,582 for the 2023-24 school year.

Bus proposition votes

  • Out of 1,046 votes cast, 836 voted in favor of purchasing one 72-passenger school bus, one 57-passenger bus with wheelchair capacity, and one Suburban for $415,000.

School board election votes

There were four candidates running for three open seats on the Board of Education.

Out of the 2,626 votes cast for board members:
  • Karnjit Singh received 678 votes and will serve his first three-year term on the BOE starting July 1, 2023.
  • Kimberly Boucher Furnish received 695 votes and will serve her first three-year term on the BOE starting July 1, 2023.
  • Incumbent Pamela Carbone received 629 votes and will serve her tenth three-year term on the BOE starting July 1, 2023.
  • Incumbent Richard Frederick received 614 votes and will finish his first term serving on the BOE on June 30, 2023.
Click the newsletter below for more budget and BOE candidate information

 

Seeking public input and providing information

May 3 Public hearing

The community gathered at 7 p.m. in the middle school cafeteria to listen to a presentation of the proposed budget for the 2023-24 school year. The hearing was livestreamed and preserved on the district’s YouTube Channel through this link.

May 3 BOE candidate public forum

Immediately following the public hearing on the proposed budget, was a forum to meet the candidates running for school board. The community was invited to attend the live event and can still watch it through this YouTube link. 

Budget process

School budget presentations

Click the links below to view what was presented to the board while the 2023-24 school budget was in development.

March 15 Budget work session

March 20 Budget work session

March 27 Budget work session

Budget brochure and property tax report card

2023-24 budget information packet

 

2023 Budget Calendar

  • Month of January: Departmental discussions on budgets
  • February 13: Presentation of State Aid for 23/24 budget, Carry-Forward Update, First Tax Cap Discussion, Bus Proposition discussion
  • CANCELED – February 27: Special Meeting1st draft Carry-Forward Budget, Board decision on Tax cap
  • March 1: Property Tax Cap Reports Due
    Petitions for BOE Seats Available in Business Office
  • March 6: Budget Work Session – Click link to watch video
  • March 13: Budget Work Session – rescheduled to March 15 due to weather – Clink link to watch video
  • March 20: Budget Work Session – Click link to watch video
    Resolution for Legal Notice for Annual District Election, Bus Prop, Possible Adoption of Budget
  • March 27: Regular Board Meeting – Click link to watch video
    Final Date for Adoption of Budget Property Tax Report Card due w/in 24 hours of budget adoption
  • March 28-March 31: First Legal Notice
  • April 17: Deadline for petitions turned into Business Office
  • April 18: Drawing for ballot positions
  • April 21: Military Ballots mailed
  • April 19: Special Board Meeting (BOCES budget vote)
  • May 3: Public Hearing and Meet the Candidates Night (click links for video)
  • May 5: Last day to register to vote with the County
  • May 9: Last day to request an absentee ballot mailed
  • May 10: Budget Notice Mailed
  • May 15: Last day to request an absentee ballot in person
  • May 16: Annual District Election in High School B-wing gym
    5:00 p.m. deadline for receipt of absentee ballot

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.

Can I vote by absentee ballot?

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. 73102

Absentee voters must first complete an 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 program: 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 2022-23 would reduce school tax bills in Glenville by an estimated maximum of $596 for Basic STAR recipients. Property owners with incomes below $250,000 are eligible for Basic STAR.

Enhanced STAR

For property owners who receive the Enhanced STAR deduction, the Glenville reduction in 2022-23 would be an estimated maximum of $1,199. Enhanced STAR is for property owners over age 65 with incomes of less than $92,000.