A public hearing on the proposed 2026-27 budget will be held May 5 at 6:00 p.m. in the Schuylerville CSD Board of Education room. Following the hearing, qualified voters of the Schuylerville Central School District will vote on a $40.8 million proposed budget for the 2026-27 school year on May 19 from 12:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. in the District Office Board of Education room. The proposed budget calls for a 2.12% spending increase and an estimated tax levy increase of 2.99%, which is below the district’s allowable tax cap. Tax rates for individual properties will be determined over the summer once equalization rates and assessments are available for the district’s seven towns.
Expenditures
Year to year, the budget always includes previously-agreed upon salary increases from all current contracts, as well as increases or decreases to other expenses depending on the needs of the district. The 2026-27 budget proposal reflects several areas of increased expenditures, including salaries, payroll taxes, and employee benefits such as health insurance and retirement contributions. The district is also seeing higher costs related to student services, particularly BOCES special education placements and private tuition. In addition, utility expenses for natural gas and electricity continue to rise.
Revenue
State aid continues to make up a significant portion of Schuylerville’s revenue, accounting for roughly half of the district’s overall budget. In NYS Governor Hochul’s executive budget proposal, Schuylerville received a modest increase in foundation aid of approximately one percent. While expenditures continue to rise at a steady rate, annual revenues are not keeping pace due to the limitations of the state’s tax cap and minimal growth in foundation aid. This ongoing imbalance has created a structural gap in the budget. To address this, the district plans to use $1.687 million in fund balance to help offset the difference between revenues and expenditures.
“While the district continues to navigate a widening gap between revenues and expenditures due to minimal growth in foundation aid, we remain steadfast in our commitment to protecting strong academic programs and ensuring high-quality opportunities for all students,” said Dr. Ryan Sherman, Schuylerville CSD Superintendent.
In addition, the district is taking measured steps to control costs, including restructuring outside counseling services, reducing staffing through the elimination of one math position, and not filling two upcoming vacant teaching positions due to retirements.
“This is a fiscally responsible, forward-thinking budget that keeps students at the forefront and positions the district to continue delivering strong educational opportunities,” said Bernie Buff, Schuylerville CSD Board of Education President.
Bus Lease Proposition
As part of the May 19 budget vote, voters will also consider a proposition that would allow the district to renew a five-year bus lease agreement. If approved, the lease would replace eight, 65-passenger buses. The proposition reflects the five-year total cost of $1,334,500 and will be budgeted annually over five years. Keeping an up-to-date fleet allows the district to reduce and simplify the parts inventory, eliminate large repairs (the buses are all warrantied for five years), and cut down on fuel usage due to the industry standards regarding emissions. The district has a fleet of 35 buses and four vans. The vehicles travel more than 371,000 miles a year, between daily runs, private school runs, sports trips, field trips and summer travel.
Contingent Budget
If the 2026-27 proposed budget is voted down, the Board of Education has the following options:
- Put another budget (revised or not) up for a vote in June
- Immediately adopt a contingent budget
If the district adopts a contingent budget, there can be no increase to the tax levy from the prior year. Ordinary contingent expenses may also have to be reduced to ensure no increase to the tax levy.
Schuylerville Board of Education Election
On May 19, voters will elect one member to the Schuylerville Central School District Board of Education for a five-year term beginning July 1, 2026. The seat is currently held by Katie Brunson, who is running for re-election unopposed.
Brunson is seeking her second term on the Board of Education, having first been elected in May 2021. She has served as vice president of the Board for the past two years. A graduate of Schuylerville High School, Brunson earned an associate degree in Early Childhood Education from SUNY Cobleskill, a bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education from SUNY Oneonta, and a master’s degree in Literacy Education from The College of Saint Rose.
Brunson has been a reading teacher in the Ballston Spa Central School District for more than 20 years, where she provides small-group literacy support to students in grades K-5. She remains actively involved in the Schuylerville community, volunteering with the Middle School Drama Club and Schuylerville FFA, and serving on the Board of Trustees for the Schuylerville Public Library. When her children were younger, she was also active with the Old Saratoga Athletic Association (OSAA), serving as a softball commissioner and sponsorship coordinator. Brunson has a daughter who is in 10th grade at Schuylerville High School, and a stepson who graduated in 2023.
“I am running for reelection for my board seat because I have found my service to the district to be incredibly rewarding. I have heard many times, we are a small school with big opportunities. I wholeheartedly agree with this statement. It is amazing to have a front row view of our students having amazing experiences and thriving in our district. As an educator myself, I feel I continue to have a strong understanding of what our students, teachers, staff, and administration need to be successful. I want to continue to see Schuylerville Central School District thrive and be the best that it can be.”