GUILDERLAND — A rollover budget for the Guilderland schools next year is projected at $109 million, up $4 million from this year.
Assistant Superintendent for Business Neil Sanders explained to the school board on Dec. 7 that the rollover budget keeps all staff and programs the same as this year. Keeping those constant, spending would increase by $4.1 million, which is a 3.9 percent increase over this year.

Revenue is expected to increase by $2.8 million, which is a 9.7 percent jump.

The biggest factor in the revenue jump is the state’s commitment to make Foundation Aid to schools whole, said Sanders. That brought Guilderland an additional $1.5 million this year and will bring in $2.15 million next year, said Sanders.

State aid is projected to total $31 million while property taxes are to pay for $77 million.

The tax levy increase of $1.3 million, or 1.7 percent, stays under the state-set levy limit of $1.9 million.

As always with school budgets, salaries are projected to be the largest expense at $47.9 million, up from $45.8 million this year. The second largest expense is for benefits at $28.2 million, up from $27.3 million this year.

Sanders stressed that projecting the rollover plan is just the start of the budget process. The governor’s state budget proposal will be out in January with state aid figures, after which the state legislature has its say.

Superintendent Marie Wiles said that “right after the first of the year,” school board members will participate in a ThoughtExchange, sharing their budget priorities online. At the same time, she said, the community at large will be invited to share their budget ideas in a ThoughtExchange.

Wiles will present her draft of the budget in March and the public will vote in May.