On April 20, 2021, the Troy City School District Board of Education adopted a proposed 2021-2022 budget of $115,293,164. With this plan, the tax levy will increase 0%, which is $532,537 below the allowable tax cap of 1.4%. This is the ninth consecutive year the District has proposed a budget at or below the tax cap.
This year, residents will vote in person on the proposed budget on Tuesday, May 18. They will also vote for candidates running for three open seats on the Board of Education. In addition, they will vote on the establishment of a new $5 million capital reserve to be funded over 10 years. This reserve will be used to help keep district facilities safe and up to date.
The New York State Budget included an increase in Foundation Aid as well as a promise to fully fund this aid over the next three years, something for which the district has been advocating for years. This allows the district to offer a 0% tax levy increase while maintaining all programs and staff.
“This has been an extraordinarily difficult year for everyone due to the pandemic. With the increase in State Aid, we feel the only right thing to do is to offer a 0-percent tax levy increase to our already overburdened taxpayers,” said Superintendent John Carmello. “The future is looking bright for the district both financially and in terms of the exceptional programming we offer our students.”
The budget will allow the district to continue to offer small class sizes, STEM programming, mental health support and a vast selection of athletics and other extracurricular activities. It will include a robust educational program for all students from Pre-Kindergarten all the way to graduation.
Separate from the district budget on which residents will vote, the District will receive roughly $15 million from the federal government to be used over the next three years. Much like a grant, it has specific requirements and allowable uses, but will allow the district to boost its programming for students. The district will hold a public comment period and is already brainstorming ideas. More information on this will be provided in the near future.
“Looking forward, one of the district’s primary objectives will be the return to normalcy as much as possible while continuing to provide resources for our students and their families,” said Carmello. “While we don’t yet know what next year will look like, as we are awaiting guidance from the CDC and other entities, we look forward to developing a plan to ensure we meet the needs of all of our students and support them in reaching their full potential and achieving success.”
To learn more about the proposed budget and for information about the May 18 Budget Vote and Board of Education Election, including how to request an Absentee Ballot, visit www.troycsd.org/budget.