Budget/Tax/Voting Information

South Colonie 2024-25 Budget Vote

The annual school budget vote and Board of Education election will take place on May 21, 2024. Voting takes place at  Lisha Kill and Sand Creek Middle Schools between the hours of 11 a.m. and 8 p.m.

Budget Planning

The South Colonie Board of Education has adopted its meeting calendar for the development and presentation of the proposed 2024-25 district budget. A copy of the printable calendar can be found here. 

South Colonie 2023-24 Budget Vote

On May 16, South Colonie Central School District voters approved the district’s $122 million spending plan and bus purchase proposition.  Additionally, voters elected two board of education members. The budget proposition passed by 77.7% with 1124 yes votes and 322 no votes.

District-related propositions

    • A $122,194,702. budget for the 2023-24 school year that increases spending 7.7% +$5,442,534 a levy increase of 1.99% (which is below the New York State Tax Levy Limitation): 1124 yes; 322 no.
    • School bus replacement plan to purchase of eight replacement school buses of various sizes—six (6) 66 passenger buses, one (1) 18/3 wheelchair bus and one (1) 42 passenger bus — overall cost not to exceed $1,318,000: 1124 yes; 325 no.

Board of Education Election

Stephanie Cogan was reelected to serve on the South Colonie Board of Education with 1233 votes.

Three candidates sought election to one open board of education seat to succeed Colleen Gizzi. 

    • Eric McDowell, 309 votes;
    • Thomas (TJ) Blakley, 473 votes; and
    • Denise Gangi-Pollacek, 459 votes.

Thomas (TJ) Blakley began his five-year term July 1, 2023.

Budget Basics Explained in 60 Seconds

 


Voter Eligibility

You are a qualified voter if:

  • You are a citizen of the United States.
  • You are at least 18 years of age.
  • You are a resident of the District for at least thirty (30) days prior to the vote date.

Absentee Ballot Information

Absentee Ballot Application

Qualified voters can request an absentee ballot if they will not be able to vote in person due to illness or physical disability, hospitalization, incarceration (unless incarcerated for a felony), travel outside the voter’s county or city of residence for employment or business reasons, studies, primary caregiver obligations or vacation on the day of election.

How to Vote by Absentee Ballot in New York State

Military Ballots

Military Ballot Application

Persons serving in the military, along with their spouses and/or dependents, already had the ability to register as a military voter in New York state, entitling them to receive an absentee ballot for all federal, state and local races that they would be otherwise entitled to vote in if they were to go to their assigned polling place based on their New York residence, according to the New York State Board of Elections.

In November 2019, the state implemented a new law expanding that ability, giving military voters the opportunity to cast their ballots for the election of members of the board of education and school district, public library trustees and the adoption of the annual budget, school district public library budget and referenda.

Military ballots will be automatically be mailed to each voter who had previously registered as a military voter in New York state. If you are in the military, and you would like to receive a ballot, applications are available and need to be returned to the district by the annual deadline.


Required Budget Documents 2023-24


Taxes

South Colonie Public Hearing Highlights Volunteer Firefighter & Ambulance Worker Tax Exemption (466-a) 

South Colonie held a public hearing on Tuesday, Nov 14, shedding light on the Volunteer Firefighter and Ambulance Worker Partial Real Property Tax Exemption (Section 466-a). Here’s a concise guide summarizing key points.

2023-24 District Tax Rates by Towns

  • Colonie – $ 29.08 per $1,000 of assessed value 
  • Guilderland  – $17.45 per $1,000 of assessed value 
  • Niskayuna – $18.78 per $1,000 of assessed value 

District Tax No. 595

Reported income on your New York State tax return is a measure of a district’s wealth. Accurate completion of this information is important because the state uses it to calculate state aid for school districts. Please use District Tax No. 595.