To the Editor:

On Tuesday, May 20, residents of the Guilderland Central School District will decide on a proposed $127,547,392 budget for the 2025-26 school year. This proposed budget calls for a $2,354,575 (1.88 percent) increase in spending over the current year’s plan. If approved, the 2025-26 spending plan would increase the tax levy by $1,832,602 or 2.22 percent, which is below the district’s tax-levy limit as defined by New York state’s tax levy cap legislation.

When creating the 2025-26 spending plan, the district was required to navigate a complicated financial environment. Factors that are beyond the district’s control, such as changes in enrollment, essentially flat state aid and increased operating costs, had a significant impact on the budget development process. The proposed spending plan for 2025-26 is fiscally responsible in that it is structured to meet student needs in the short term and over time.

Despite having to make some difficult choices, the district remains committed to its mission to prepare students to succeed after they leave our schools. This budget maintains existing class-size guidelines, preserves programs and services that engage students, and proposes necessary reductions where savings can be realized without a significant impact on our students. To the extent possible, reductions are the result of declining enrollment and/or staff attrition.

Along with approving the budget, district residents will be asked to elect four board of education members and vote on the following propositions:

— Vehicle Proposition.

The district is proposing the purchase of five full-size, zero-emission electric school buses equipped with air-conditioning. This purchase includes Level-2 chargers and setup. The district is also proposing to replace a 2007 Chevy utility dump truck, which costs approximately $110,000.

The total cost of this proposal is $1,352,700; only the dump truck would be a net cost to the community. As was the case with last year’s electric-vehicle purchase, the district will receive the full amount in transportation aid on the purchase and GCSD will take advantage of a state incentive voucher program. As a result, there is no projected net cost to the district for the purchase of these buses;

— 2025 Future Ready Capital Project Proposition.

If approved by voters, this $57,259,705 improvement plan will begin the multi-year process of transforming GCSD facilities into future-ready learning environments. The proposed capital project corresponds with the district’s mission and vision, which is to prepare students to meet the challenges and opportunities of their future.

The capital project proposes upgrades to create future-ready classrooms with increased storage, improved lighting, flexible furniture, and updated flooring. In addition to modernizing learning environments, the project aims to protect the community’s long-term investment in its schools by addressing necessary internal and external infrastructure needs.

Another key component of the Future Ready capital project is the renovation and enhancement of the performing-arts spaces at Guilderland High School, addressing the ongoing challenges of limited rehearsal and storage space.

The tax increase for district residents owning a home or property with an assessed value of $283,585 (the average assessment in the town of Guilderland), the estimated tax increase per year for the proposed project based on current information is $149.84;

— Board of Education Election.

Four candidates are running for four seats on the board of education and will appear on the ballot in the following order: Meredith Brière, Kelly Person, Peter Stapleton, Katie DiPierro. Learn more about the candidates on the district website, www.guilderlandschools.org/2025-board-of-education-candidates. You can also watch a recording of the Meet the Candidates night on the GHS Media YouTube channel.

We encourage all Guilderland residents to take some time to learn about the proposed spending plan and propositions, including the Future Ready Capital Project. Please read the GCSD budget newsletter, which was mailed to residents’ homes last week or go to the district website and click on the “Budget and Taxes'” dropdown for more details about the 2025-26 spending plan and Future Ready Capital Project.

If you have any questions, please email . It’s essential all residents have accurate, factual information to make an informed decision.

Most importantly, we urge all eligible voters to make your voice heard by voting on the budget, vehicle proposition, Future Ready Capital Project, and for members of the board of education on May 20 at your home elementary school; polls are open from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Blanca Gonzalez-Parker

President
 

Kelly Person

Vice President
 

Kim Blasiak

Meredith Brière

Rebecca Butterfield

Katie DiPierro

Nina Kaplan

Tara Molloy-Grocki

Gloria Towle-Hilt 

GCSD School Board