The South Colonie Central School District unveiled its initial 2026-27 budget proposal at the March 10 Board of Education meeting, held at Saddlewood Elementary. The district remains committed to its fiscal goals: funding key programs that champion academic equity while broadening student access to critical support services, and enhancing educational facilities for future generations.

Key Highlights:

• Proposed Budget Total: $146.88 million, an increase of $7.33 million (4.99%) from the current year.
• Expenditures: Reflect staffing changes (replacing retirements and adding new positions), anticipated increases in capital spending, and debt projections. Additional costs, such as increases for BOCES services and liability insurance, are still being finalized.
• Budget Gap: The first draft shows a projected gap of $799,917. Between first draft and budget adoption district leaders will work collaboratively to strategically select additional programs  
• Tax Levy: Proposed at 3.49%, slightly below the maximum allowable increase. Includes the phased-in impact of the Next Gen Capital Project approved by voters in October 2022. Beginning in 2026–27, this levy will include an additional 1% to cover project costs

Residents will also vote on a few key propositions:

• Bus Replacement Plan: Replace 10 older buses of various sizes.
• Capital Project Vote: The district proposes using $4.7 million from its existing Capital Reserve fund for cooling added to renovated classrooms as part of the Next Generation Capital Project. With a 69.2% state building aid ratio, this local investment would leverage additional state funding to support a $13 million project with no additional tax impact, pending voter approval.
• Capital Project Reserve: Establish a new $10 million Capital Reserve for future projects.

Governor Hochul’s executive budget provides preliminary funding estimates for South Colonie. The final state budget and state aid runs, due by April 1, may affect the district’s funding structure.

"We are balancing our commitment to modernizing facilities for Colonie’s next generation with strong fiscal responsibility," said Assistant Superintendent for Strategic Planning and Management Services Jacqlene McAllister. "Even though our first draft shows a budget shortfall, our primary focus remains the academic success and well-being of our students. We will spend the coming weeks collaborating to close this gap through careful spending cuts, reserve funds, and other strategic steps, ensuring our educational standards stay high."

The second draft of the budget will be presented on Tuesday, April 14, at 6:30 p.m. at Shaker Road Elementary. The meeting will also be livestreamed on the district’s YouTube channel.

Budget Vote:

The budget vote will take place on Tuesday, May 19, from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. at Sand Creek or Lisha Kill Middle Schools.

For more information, visit the budget section of the district website.

First Draft 2026-27 Budget:

Link to presentation