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Proposed budget keeps taxes flat; plans for a bright future
Troy City School District students continued the decade-long upward trajectory of academic gains, and the proposed 2026-2027 budget is built to sustain that momentum, without raising taxes.
The Board of Education adopted a proposed budget of $146,348,609 for the 2026-2027 school year at its meeting on April 21, 2026. If approved by voters, the tax levy will remain flat with a 0% tax increase for the fifth time in six years. Since 2021, the school tax levy has risen by just 1.75%. This also marks the 14th consecutive year the district has proposed a budget at or below the allowable tax cap.
Residents will vote on the proposed budget on Tuesday, May 19, 2026, from 7:30 a.m. – 8:00 p.m. They will also vote to fill three seats on the Board of Education.
“We continue to see our students grow and achieve in all areas,” said Superintendent John Carmello. “We are incredibly proud that we can provide educationally sound programming that is producing significant and measurable results, in a way that is fiscally responsible to our taxpayers.”
Click here to view the 2026-2027 Budget Development Presentations
Slides are embedded on this page, and a plain-text version is also available.
What’s in the proposed budget?
This budget maintains all current staffing, programs and student supports. It also includes targeted additions based on student needs identified by building principals and district directors. The 2026-27 budget includes a new five-year contract with Student Transportation of America (STA). This includes in-district home-to-school, athletics/field trips, and summer school transportation.
Expanding Special Education Services
Troy CSD is adding a new self-contained special education classroom section at the elementary level, a speech therapist, two secondary special education teachers and one secondary special education teaching assistant. These additions reflect the district’s commitment to ensuring every student has access to the support they need to be successful.
Strengthening Attendance Support
Helping students get to school (and stay connected to school) has been a district priority for several years. The district has added attendance support specialists and liaisons who work directly with families to address barriers and offer resources. This budget adds one full-time attendance liaison to continue supporting that work.
Planning for the future
Voters in Wynantskill Union Free School District approved annexation to Troy CSD on March 31. The official start date is expected to be July 1, 2027. Once finalized by the state Education Commissioner, this reorganization will bring approximately $241 million in incentive aid from New York State to Troy CSD over 15 years.
Planning is already underway. This budget includes approximately $1 million to begin the transition work — combining student data systems, centralizing records, addressing central office operational needs, and laying the groundwork for a seamless integration that keeps students and families at the center.
“The future of the Troy City School District is bright, and this budget will allow us to continue building on our successes while ensuring a sustainable future for our students,” Carmello said. “I couldn’t be more proud of the work going on in our schools every day, and I am grateful for the partnership of our families and our community.”
For more information on the 2026-2027 school budget vote and Board of Education Election, visit this page: