North Colonie school district residents on Tuesday, May 20, passed a $101.3 million budget, with 1,328 votes in favor to 566 votes opposed. Three new school board members were also elected.
The 2014-15 budget increases the property tax levy 3.63 percent, which is the maximum increase allowed under the school district state-mandated tax cap. Residents are estimated to also see a similar increase in their tax rate, but the exact amount will be set when the Town of Colonie finalizes its assessment roll in August.
“I’d like to thank the voters of North Colonie for exercising their right to vote, and being involved and aware,” said Superintendent Joseph Corr. “We are pleased that our voters supported the budget that provides the resources and support for our students, faculty and staff to continue fulfilling our district mission.”
The budget did not include any cuts to full-time staff or programming, and there were some savings stemming from retirements.
“The district’s goal was to craft a budget that not only aligns spending and uses savings gained from attrition to fund educational priorities, but also puts the district in a position where it can continue on a path to sustainability in the coming years,” school district officials said in a statement.
The Board of Education elections had three candidates running unopposed. Pennie Grinnell and Avideh Sadaghiani were each elected to a five-year term beginning on July 1. Patrick Masson was elected to a four-year term and will be sworn in during the next board meeting.
