To the Editor:

I am writing to the Guilderland community.

Like many of you, I have so many things on my mind. First and foremost, the health and safety of my family, my friends, my colleagues, and our whole community.

As we enter another month of a completely new world in education, the board of education recognizes the strength of the Guilderland Central School District community during these unprecedented times. I applaud our students, families, community members, staff, faculty, and administrative team for their efforts to develop a path forward during this pandemic.

The board of education is dedicated to ensuring that education and our school district remains a priority. The district has been working to develop a fiscally responsible and student-focused budget. The 2020-21 budget supports our students and maintains the high quality academic and extracurricular programs that our community expects and values.

The proposed $103,032,695 plan calls for a 0.91-percent increase in spending; if approved by voters, it would result in a 2.25-percent tax-levy increase in the coming year. Also, voters will elect five members of the board of education (three 3-year terms and two 1-year terms) and decide on a bus proposition.

This is a unique budget year; this challenging time with an unpredictable economic outlook makes our work very difficult. However, we appreciate all of the concerns and positive thoughts shared by the community.

I encourage all district residents to review the budget on the district website at www.guilderlandschools.org. Please feel free to email our superintendent of schools, Dr. Marie Wiles, at with any questions about any of the propositions going before the voters on June 9.

Most importantly, I urge all eligible voters to vote on the budget, bus proposition, and for the members of the board of education. This year, the annual budget vote and board of education election will be on June 9.

There will be no in-person voting; voting will be done by absentee ballots only. All ballots are due before 5 p.m. on June 9. Please send in your absentee ballot promptly so your vote will be counted. Information will be mailed to district residents.

Thank you to all of our community members who participated in the budget-development process. We are in this together and we will come out of it together, and stronger. I wish you the best of health.

I encourage you to participate in the budget vote and as always appreciate your continued support. Thank you!

Seema Rivera

Board President

Guilderland Central

School District