To the Editor:

On Tuesday, May 19, Guilderland Central School District residents will head to the polls to vote on a proposed $93,689,600 budget for the 2015-16 school year. The proposed budget represents an increase in spending of $1,556,700 (up 1.69 percent) over the current year’s budget.

If approved by voters, it would result in a 2.76-percent tax-levy increase in the coming year — below the district’s maximum allowable tax levy limit as calculated under the state’s “tax cap” formula. Due to a projected assessment growth within the district, tax rates are estimated to increase by less than that amount at 2.12 percent for residents of the town of Guilderland.

In addition, district residents will decide on a capital improvement proposition, elect three members to the board of education, and vote on a bus and equipment proposition.

After years of revenue shortfalls that resulted in layoffs and program reductions, some financial relief has finally come our way. On the expense side of the budget, the district can anticipate a total savings of $1,472,000 related to a reduction in mandated employer contribution rates for the Teachers Retirement System and the Employees Retirement System.

On the revenue side of the equation, Guilderland is slated to receive an additional $1.4 million in state aid, beyond what was initially projected, largely as a result of a 37-percent restoration of our Gap Elimination Adjustment.

The proposed budget, adopted on April 21, calls for the net addition of 16.25 full-time equivalent  positions to meet a variety of needs at all levels across the school district.  Those needs were determined based on a meticulous, student-by-student, program-by-program analysis; among the additions are staffing for special education and English as a Second Language.

The adopted spending plan also maintains existing levels of kindergarten and first-grade teaching assistant support, existing programming at the middle and high school, and resources to begin to address large class sizes at the high school. Also worthy of note is the inclusion of funding to restore full district support for our freshman sports program. 

Please read our budget newsletter, which will arrive in homes shortly, or visit our website for more details about what is included in our 2015-16 spending plan.

In addition to the district’s budget, voters will also decide on a separate capital improvement proposition to make needed improvements to the high school auditorium and to replace the lights and light poles on the high school football field and track, at a cost of $1,160,000. Both areas have been a concern for the district.

The auditorium is only marginally functional as a teaching space due to poor lighting, sound system, and seating. The 30-year-old wooden light poles and lights surrounding the football field are a growing safety concern. Please join us just prior to the regular board meeting for a walk-through of the auditorium and athletic field areas on Tuesday, May 12, at 6 p.m. We will meet at that time in the lobby of the high school. 

I encourage all district residents to ask questions about the proposed spending plan by calling, e-mailing, or attending upcoming board of education and PTA meetings. Most importantly, I urge all eligible voters to head to the polls on May 19 to cast your vote for three members of the board of education, the budget, bus, and capital improvement propositions. After voting, please take a moment to complete our exit survey. For more information please visit www.guilderlandschools.org.

Thank you to all of our community members who participated in the budget development process this year and to all who support our efforts at GCSD to serve well the children of our community.

Marie Wiles, superintendent

Guilderland Central School District