At 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday, May 7, the Scotia-Glenville Board of Education will hold a public hearing on the proposed 2025-26 budget in the Middle School Cafeteria. Immediately following, the community has an opportunity to hear from the candidates running for the school board. (View candidate bios here)

The Public Budget Hearing and Meet the Candidates Night is open to the public and will be streamed live on the district’s YouTube Channel. 

2025-26 Budget proposal

On Tuesday, May 20, Scotia-Glenville residents will be asked to consider a $67,128,658 budget for the 2025-26 school year. The plan maintains critical instructional programs, student support services, and key health and safety initiatives while investing in facility and equipment upkeep.

The proposed budget represents a 3.14% increase in spending over the current year, or $2,043,464, and includes a 5.09% increase in the tax levy. Because the proposed tax levy exceeds the district’s state-calculated limit of 3.25%, the budget requires a supermajority (60% voter approval) to pass. For a home with an assessed value of $160,000, the estimated tax increase would be approximately $136 per year, or about $11.33 per month, before any STAR savings are applied.

What the budget supports

The proposed plan preserves existing programs and services, including two school resource officers, an athletic trainer, mental health services, and cybersecurity infrastructure. It also supports ongoing maintenance of district facilities and operations.

Proposition 2: EV Infrastructure Upgrade Project

In addition, the school board approved a capital project referendum to support the district’s transition to a zero-emission electric school bus fleet, as mandated by New York State by 2035. The $2.6 million project will not result in a tax increase on residents and includes parking lot reconstruction, installation of conduits, and electrical service upgrades. 

On April 7, a representative from SEI Design Group, Alastair Aitchison, appeared before the board to provide an update on the Electric Vehicle (EV) Infrastructure Upgrade Project, outlining progress and remaining challenges. This was a follow up to the presentation done on November 4, 2024.

A fleet electrification study is underway to assess bus routes, charging needs, and battery usage. National Grid has confirmed sufficient capacity for up to 50 EV buses. The State Environmental Quality Review Act (SEQRA) process is ongoing, which includes documentation related to the Beukendaal Building. The building must be removed or demolished to create space for the necessary infrastructure, as it restricts room for buses and chargers. A RFP will be issued for potential buyers interested in relocating the Beukendaal Building at their own expense. 

The EV project includes the following key components:

• Removal of the Beukendaal Building: $213,840
• Electrical service upgrade: $256,608
• Initial EV charging stations: $249,480
• Expanded electrical infrastructure: $718,208
• Generator installation: $356,400
• Parking lot reconstruction and resurfacing: $520,344
• Overflow parking: $42,768
• Stormwater management and fencing: $242,352

The project is designed to minimize tax impact on residents. Through a combination of state aid and external funding sources, the district anticipates receiving:

• Building Aid based on$1.03 million in expenses (76.8% aid ratio, paid over 15 years)
• Transportation Aid based on$1.35 million in expenses (72.7% aid ratio, paid over 12 years)
• $275,000 in NYSERDA funding for EV chargers
• $133,650 rebate from National Grid for electrical service upgrades

In addition, the district plans to contribute $550,000 in local funds to further offset borrowing, ensuring that the project will not result in an increase in taxes. The EV Infrastructure Capital Project represents an important step in ensuring the district is ready for the state’s clean transportation mandate while being fiscally responsible to taxpayers.

Timeline and Next Steps

The capital project planning process began in November 2024, with the board resolution for the voter referendum approved on March 24, 2025. If approved by voters on May 20, the project timeline is as follows:

• Design: June-September 2025
• NYSED Review: October–December 2025
• Bidding: January 2026
  

Construction: June–August 2026

• • Building removal (pending RFP process): June 2026
  • Electrical work during school breaks
  • Parking lot reconstruction: Summer 2026
  • EV charger installation: August 2026
  • First electric bus arrival: Late August 2026