New Berne-Knox-Westerlo programs planned for 2017-18 school year include an expanded agricultural science program.

Guilderland’s draft school budget for next year, projected at $98 million, will add teachers and restore some programs that were cut in recent years.

The Guilderland school district anticipates being able to add new items to next year’s budget and wants to hear from residents, through its online survey, about what those should be.

Although there has already been one Guilderland Board of Education meeting in the fall where the district asked for input on the school budget, I am unsure what was the extent of public input. I actually am not sure if anyone spoke.

In spite of its tax cap and a sparse increase in state aid, the Voorheesville School District will likely not see cuts in its upcoming budget. A meeting on Jan. 30 will discuss the preliminary budget, which includes increases to staff expenses and a high-priced capital project.

A nearly 20-year-old policy allows college students in New York State to purchase textbooks tax-free. There is little advertising of the policy, but government and business officials assert that it is well-known.

Matt Tedeschi, president, Berne-Knox-Westerlo school board

WESTERLO —  The preliminary $2.8 million town budget does not ignore “the elephant in the room,” says town board member William Bichteman.

The Berne-Knox-Westerlo board will decide in November whether to increase the exemption and, if it does vote to increase it, by how much.

The top line in the $1.6 million preliminary budget proposed by Supervisor Vasilios Lefkaditis calls for a 16-percent cut in town spending compared to the 2016  budget.