2025-26 School Budget – Preserving Programs & Investing in Pre-K
Schalmont’s budget for 2025-2026 once again preserves all programs and opportunities for students, requires no cuts to faculty or staff, and invests in a new Pre-K program at the reopened Woestina Elementary.
After four straight years with no tax levy increase, the proposed 2025-26 budget includes a 1.75% increase.
Our community will vote on the proposed budget Tuesday, May 20 from 6:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. in the High School gym lobby.
“We would love to continue our streak of no tax levy increases but we want to ensure Schalmont’s finances are strong as we build our Pre-K program,” said Dr. Reardon. “This budget allows us to invest in our educational program while keeping our first tax levy increase in four years to less than 2%.”
This spring, Schalmont announced we are reopening Woestina Elementary in September to start a Pre-K program with three classrooms in the Rotterdam Junction school. Schalmont hopes to grow the program in future years but started with a program for 54 students to minimize the start-up cost while we gauge community interest.
Dr. Reardon stressed that adding the Pre-K program will not impact any opportunities or programs for Schalmont’s other students.
“Our Pre-K Committee has said all along that adding Pre-K can’t be done at the expense of our K-12 students. This budget also funds all the opportunities our community has come to expect for their children at Schalmont schools,” said Dr. Reardon.
The $60,210,234 budget increases spending by 3.9% over this year.
If you have any questions about the budget, please contact Dr. Reardon at treardon@schalmont.net.
School Tax Information
2024-25 Tax Rates for Schalmont Central School District
Duanesburg
Homestead tax rate: $60.664081
Non-homestead tax rate: $57.051055
Florida
Homestead tax rate: $18.57647
Non-homestead tax rate: $11.767416
Guilderland
Homestead tax rate: $17.268934
Non-homestead tax rate: $12.962889
Princetown
Homestead tax rate: $62.013139
Non-homestead tax rate: $52.601379
Rotterdam
Homestead tax rate: $19.391488
Non-homestead tax rate: $24.115949
School Taxes May Be Paid In Person or Online
Taxpayers in the Schalmont Central School District may pay school tax bills by dropping your payment in the mail slot at the District Office or you can pay them online here. You can also view your tax bill online without having to make a payment, as well as find an assessed valuation, see any exemptions on the property and print a receipt.
Payments can be made in the secure, online payment feature by using your credit or debit card (Visa, MasterCard, Discover) or electronic check (using your checking account number and routing number). There is a 2.5 percent fee to pay your bill online.
Please note: This service is available to those residing in the towns of Duanesburg, Princetown and Florida. The towns of Guilderland and Rotterdam also provide a similar service for their taxpayers.
In-Person Collections
For individuals who would prefer not to use the online payment feature, payments may still be made by mail or in person by dropping them in the mail slot at the District Office at 4 Sabre Drive, Schenectady, NY 12306. Once your payment is processed we will send you a receipt.
Payments of checks or money orders should be made payable to the Schalmont School Tax Collector. Cash payments are not accepted. Please include a phone number with your payment
The mail slot is to the left of the District Office front doors. Payments made before 7:30 a.m. will be credited to the previous day’s business. Please make sure you have funds in your checking account when you make your payment. Return item fee is $20.
You do not have to notify your mortgage holder if you pay taxes through an escrow account. The process should be seamless and you should not have to make any adjustments. If you receive your bill in error please forward it to your mortgage holder.
If you have a question or problem, you should contact School Tax Collector Donna Woods at 518-355-9200, ext. 4001.