On Tuesday, May 17, voters in the Niskayuna Central School District will decide on the proposed 2022-23 budget, as well as a bus purchase proposition and elect three members to the Board of Education. The $99,853,607 budget proposal, which was unanimously approved by the Board of Education, continues all current student programs and services and funds staff additions that are critical to meeting student and operational needs.
Read below for more information on the budget, how to vote and upcoming budget information sessions. Our annual budget newsletter will soon be distributed across the district with more details on the proposed budget.
2022-23 Proposed Budget
The 2022-23 budget proposal calls for a tax levy increase of 2.87% percent, which is the district’s limit for next year based on the state’s tax cap formula. Because the district is not exceeding the cap, the support of a simple majority of voters (50% plus one) is needed for the budget to be approved.
State aid to the district will increase by $5.1 million next year as the state continues to phase in the full amount of Foundation Aid due by law to Niskayuna and many other districts. The increased state aid in 2022-23 will allow the district to add staff and make other investments in education while keeping the tax levy increase at the cap.
The spending plan continues all current staffing and includes the addition of nearly 12 full-time equivalent positions. The budget additions allow the district to bring back some positions that were reduced in prior years as well as new investments to meet educational priorities that have been identified by teachers, families and administrators.
Budget additions for next year include:
- Additional funding for social and emotional supports for students, including an elementary school social worker.
- Additional high school sections based on student course interest and to meet enrollment needs across all core subject areas and electives, including science, language and art.
- Special education program growth to meet student needs.
- Staff to ensure safety during arrival and dismissal of students at the elementary schools.
- A director of pupil personnel services, who will lead the Special Education program and ensure compliance with state and federal regulations and reporting.
- A director of human resources, restoring a critical position that was eliminated two years ago. This position ensures that the HR office has the capacity to support all employees, maintain compliance with regulations and reporting requirements, and recruit and retain staff to meet the needs of students.
Throughout the budget process, the Board of Education focused on using the revenue available to address the most pressing needs of students and the organization as a whole. The Board decided that utilizing the growth in state aid, strategic use of savings, and a tax levy increase at the cap provided the best opportunity to make these investments and sustain them over time.
Join us at an Upcoming Community Information Session
- Tuesday, May 3, 6 p.m.
District Office Board Room, 1239 Van Antwerp Road
Click here for the live stream
- Thursday, May 5, 1 p.m.
Niskayuna Branch Library, 2400 Nott St. East
Click here for the live stream
- To access the live streams:
Username: livestream@niskyschools.org
Password: Nisky123
A recording of the budget presentation will be posted on the website (www.niskyschools.org) on the Budget & Finance page.
What’s on the ballot?
School Budget of $99,853,067
- Spending increase: $6,795,555
- Tax levy increase: $1,734,465
Bus Purchase Proposition
- $970,000 for seven buses as part of the district’s long-term replacement plan
Board of Education Election: Four Candidates for Three Open Seats (Candidates are shown below in ballot order.)
- Judith Tomisman
- Elisabeth Cococcia
- Kimberly Tully
- Joseph Drescher
Voting Information
In-Person Voting
Tuesday, May 17, 7 a.m. to 9 p.m., Niskayuna High School
Absentee Ballots
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, voters who prefer to vote by absentee ballot can do so.
Voters who choose to vote by absentee ballot need to submit an absentee ballot application. To request this application, please visit the district website, www.niskyschools.org and click on Budget, or contact District Clerk Cynthia Gagnon, cgagnon@niskyschools.org or (518) 377-4666, ext. 50706. Applications for absentee ballots that are to be mailed to the voter must be received no later than May 10, 2022. After that date, please contact the district clerk directly for information about obtaining an absentee ballot.