No tax-levy increase in budget plan for second year in a row

The City School District of Albany’s budget proposal includes no tax-levy increase for the second year in a row while continuing to support all current programs and staffing, and also making additional investments to support students. 

The $326.2 million proposal that voters will consider on May 21 includes a $7.1 million increase in Foundation Aid – the main state aid source that school districts use to support programs and services for students. 

The proposal also is supported by $10.3 million from the district’s reserves and fund balance in the ongoing efforts of the district and Board of Education to provide programs and services that students need and deserve while also minimizing the impact on taxpayers.

It is the fourth time in the last nine years that the district has proposed no increase in the tax levy. The district’s average tax-levy increase in that period of time has been less than eight-tenths of a percent. 

“Maintaining our fiscal responsibility to our entire community while also making sure that we are fulfilling our promise to provide equitable opportunities for every student to reach their potential is a fundamental obligation to which our board and our district are firmly committed,” said Board President Vickie Smith.

“We know that many families and residents in our city continue to face a variety of economic challenges, and we believe this budget proposal once again balances those factors while focusing on success for every child.” 

The May 21 ballot also will include three additional school-related propositions, none of which would have any additional impact on taxes. 

There is one board seat up for election this year as well. Board member Hassan Elminyawi is seeking re-election (at press time, no additional candidates had indicated an intention to run in advance of the May 1 filing deadline).

The district also anticipates paying approximately $40.3 million in tuition reimbursements to charter schools in 2024-25.

For more information about the budget proposal and related topics, visit our budget page.

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New staffing proposed

In addition to maintaining all of the district’s current programs and services, the budget also proposes 25.6 new positions for the 2024-25 school year. 

That includes 6.6 new positions at North Albany Middle School to support the final year of the three-year phase-in of the district’s middle school enrollment pattern. It also continues the phased expansion of the Dual Language Program to a two-deep program with the addition of a second third-grade classroom.

Additional positions in the budget proposal are five new special education teachers, two new school counselors at Albany High School, three hall monitors, three clerical positions (two at Albany High School and one bilingual staff position in the Central Registration office), and new positions in communications, human resources and maintenance.

“By carefully managing our resources and maintaining a multi-year framework for our fiscal and programmatic planning, we have been able to propose strategic investments in new staffing that will continue to support our academic and social-emotional goals,” Superintendent Joseph Hochreiter said. 

“Providing all of our students with a diverse range of opportunities across all grade levels is a top priority for us, and we believe this budget proposal would allow us to continue on that path in 2024-25.”

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Early voting by mail new this year

Albany voters will have a new and convenient option for casting ballots in this year’s school budget vote and board election – early voting by mail. 

Early voting by mail will work much the same way that absentee voting traditionally has. 

The main change for this year is that the vote-by-mail option now is available to everyone in addition to the absentee option. 

The district will continue to automatically send absentee ballots to people the Albany County Board of Elections designates as having a permanent disability or are in the military. 

You can download an absentee or vote-by-mail application from our voting information page, or you can pick up an application at any district building or Albany Public Library branch. You also can call (518) 475-6015 and ask to have one mailed to you.

No tax impact for three propositions

Voters will be asked to consider three school-related ballot propositions in addition to this year’s budget proposal and Board of Education election. None of these three propositions would have any additional impact on taxes.

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Proposition 2

This would allow the City School District of Albany to create a Capital Reserve Fund for future facilities improvement and other related needs. Creating a Capital Reserve Fund requires voter approval. All future deposits to the fund would require Board of Education approval, and all withdrawals would require voter approval. The highest amount that could be set aside in this fund would be $20 million.

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Proposition 3

This would allow the district to purchase two 10-passenger vehicles to help with student transportation needs such as transportation between buildings during the school day and athletic events. The maximum total cost for these two vehicles would be $140,000. The purchase of these vehicles would be paid for through the general fund if voters also approve the 2024-25 budget proposal.

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Proposition 4

The district is proposing to buy a parking lot on Spruce Street near Academy Park for a cost not to exceed $170,000. The district currently leases this lot for $21,600 annually for employees working at the district headquarters building. The cost of the proposed purchase would come from the district’s operating fund balance. The purchase would pay for itself in eight years through the annual savings in lease payments.

Looking for a detailed breakdown of the proposal? You can download the complete 2024-25 budget statement.

Voting locations

The City School District of Albany will hold in-person voting at locations city-wide May 21. Polls will be open from 7 a.m.-9 p.m. Not sure of your voting location? Visit albanyschools.org/vote for a searchable directory.

Absentee and mail-in voting

The City School District of Albany sends absentee ballots to people the Albany County Board of Elections designates as having a permanent disability, and who are in the military. 

Also, new this year, all residents now have the option to vote by mail.

Early voting by mail will work much the same way that absentee voting traditionally has. The main change for this year is that the vote-by-mail option now is available to everyone. 

You can call (518) 475-6015 and ask to have an absentee or mail-in vote application mailed to you, or you can visit our voting information page to download one. You also can pick one up at any district building or Albany Public Library branch.

If you want an absentee or vote-by-mail ballot sent to your home, the district clerk must receive your completed application at least seven days before the vote – by Tuesday, May 14 at 4 p.m. 
If you want to pick up your absentee or vote-by-mail ballot in-person at the district headquarters in Academy Park, you must have your completed application to the clerk by 4 p.m. the day before the budget vote – Monday, May 20.

All absentee and vote-by-mail ballots must be received in the clerk’s office by 5 p.m. on the day of the vote – Tuesday, May 21.

Questions? Call (518) 475-6015.

One board seat open

One seat on the City School District of Albany Board of Education will be up for election May 21. 

Board member Hassan I. Elminyawi is seeking re-election to his second four-year term. He was appointed in September 2019 to finish the term of a vacated seat and was elected to a full term in June 2020. He would begin his second full term July 1 if re-elected.

The deadline for prospective candidates to submit petitions was May 1 (no additional candidates had submitted petitions by press time in late April). 

Visit our board section for more information.

What if the budget is not approved?

If voters do not approve the budget May 21, state law gives the Board of Education three options:

• Put up the same proposal for another vote;
• Present a revised budget proposal for voter consideration; or
• Adopt a contingency budget.

If the board opted for a second vote and it also failed, state law would require the district to adopt a contingency budget.

For 2024-25, a contingency budget would be $326,117,831 and would hold the tax levy to its current level as required by state law (the current budget proposal also includes no tax-levy increase). In addition, under a contingency budget the administrative component cannot exceed that of the previous year. The district would need to eliminate $126,458 from the proposed budget to meet that requirement.

The state closely regulates any district operating under a contingency budget. It prohibits spending on student supplies, equipment and certain raises, to name a few items. Community groups also are required to pay to use school buildings when a district is operating under a contingency budget.

This would mean that, in addition to the prohibited spending noted above, the district would have to consider cuts to staffing and programs to meet the new contingency requirements.

Library vote information

In addition to school-related items on this year’s ballot, residents will be asked to vote on the Albany Public Library’s 2024-25 budget proposal and Board of Trustees election.

The library’s proposed budget for 2024-25 is $7,864,740. The total tax levy includes a 2% increase, which is below the library’s tax cap.

The proposed increase would mean that the owner of a $250,000 home would pay approximately $9.15 more in library taxes next year.

There are three library trustee positions up for election this year. 

For more information, visit the Albany Public Library website or contact Stephanie Simon at (518) 708-3912.