“I think it’s the unpredictability that is the challenge here, trying to plan for something that we don’t really know what it’s going to look like or what our needs are going to be,” said Guilderland schools Superintendent Marie Wiles, discussing next year’s budget. “I do think we’re going to need more resources, not less as we open the school year.”

The Berne-Knox-Westerlo Board of Education voted this week, 5 to 0, to accept Superintendent Timothy Mundell’s proposed $23.4 million budget. 

GUILDERLAND — In 1789, Benjamin Franklin wrote, “Our new Constitution is now established, and has an appearance that promised permanency; but in this world nothing can be said to be certain, except death and taxes.”

The Voorheesville School Board approved a $26 million spending plan for the 2020-21 school year, which comes with a 3.14-percent levy increase — if voters approve it. 

“The irony is mindblowing. The taxpayers are losing out because of the state’s own computer problems … The state has denied the town funds as a result of the state’s own glitch. It was their fault,” says Andrew Farbstein, a consultant who helped Guilderland with its townwide revaluation last year.

“We’re  going to go through a time where we’re going to be seriously economically hurt, disadvantaged, and we need to continue to provide the services …,” said Stephen Acquario, executive director of the New York State Association of Counties.

Voorheesville’s proposed budget for 2020-21 is down $325,000 from this year.

Berne-Knox-Westerlo’s superintendent, Timothy Mundell, told The Enterprise this week that, although there is concern about reductions in state aid, he anticipates a “flat, or reduced” tax levy and a budget proposal that is lower than last year’s. 

Normally in April, school boards are adopting budgets and getting ready to ask the public to approve them; not this year. 

Altamont’s tax rates will go down next year, but after Guilderland’s revaluation last year, what property owners actually owe may go up.