2024-2025 School Budget
The community budget vote for the 2024-2025 school budget will be Tuesday, May 21 from 6:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. in the High School gym lobby.
The proposed budget requires no tax levy increase for the 4th year in a row while building on opportunities and support for our students.
- Overview of proposed budget
- Proposition to purchase school buses
- Proposition to create a Capital Reserve Fund
- Board of Education candidates
Overview of Proposed Budget
The Board of Education adopted the 2024-2025 budget April 8 that requires no tax levy increase for the 4th year in a row while building on opportunities and support for our students.
All academic programs – including art, music and secondary electives – are fully funded along with support for students, athletics and extracurricular activities. There are no cuts to staffing in the budget.
“We are excited to continue to grow opportunities for our students without raising the tax levy for a 4th straight year,” said Superintendent Dr. Thomas Reardon. “We are careful to invest in what we need, great programs for our students and equitable pay for our employees. We truly are Schalmont proud!”
The community budget vote will take place Tuesday, May 21 from 6:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. in the High School gym lobby.
The budget adds IT staff to better support our students and faculty, funds a consistent athletic trainer for all home games, and continues professional development focused on literacy.
A 7th section of kindergarten is also funded, which may be needed based on student registration. We’ve added teachers at Jefferson and Schalmont Middle School in recent years to maintain reasonable class sizes as our enrollment grows.
The $57,880,777 budget increases spending by about 3.6% over this year.
Proposition to Purchase School Buses
As part of Schalmont’s long-term bus replacement plan, a proposition on the May 21 ballot would allow the district to purchase three 66-passenger school buses and two 35-passenger mini school buses.
The total cost would not exceed $685,000. Schalmont pays about one-third of the cost because New York State reimburses the district for approximately 65% on bus purchases.
Schalmont purchases school buses each year as part of a long-term plan to keep the district’s fleet in safe, working order. New buses replace old buses based on the vehicle’s mileage, age, repair history and condition.
Proposition to Create a Capital Reserve Fund
A proposition on the May 21 ballot would create a Capital Reserve Fund to help reduce the amount of borrowing needed for a future Capital Project.
Why create a Capital Reserve Fund?
A Capital Reserve Fund allows Schalmont to set aside savings at the end of a school year to help pay for future facility improvements.
How much money can be set aside?
The district can put up to $30 million in the Capital Reserve Fund over the next 10 years.
Where does money for the Capital Reserve Fund come from?
Funding primarily comes from fund balance. Schalmont’s proposed budget is an estimate of costs for the upcoming year. When costs are less than projected, or revenues are higher, some of those savings can be placed in the Capital Reserve Fund.
How will the community know how funding is used?
Schalmont needs voter approval to use money from the Capital Reserve Fund, like two years ago when voters approved a Capital Project to improve campus traffic and add A/C to classrooms. That project was completed this spring.
What are Schalmont’s plans for the Capital Reserve Fund?
Schalmont does not yet have plans for another Capital Project but Jefferson Elementary likely would be a focus for future facility improvements. As our enrollment continues to grow, Jefferson is getting closer to capacity; additional learning space may be needed if we continue to add sections to maintain reasonable class sizes.
Board of Education Candidates
This year, there are four individuals running for three seats on the Board of Education. Two seats are three-year terms and one seat is a partial, two-year term. Candidates are listed in random order, as they will appear on the ballot.
Angelo Santabarbara
Angelo D. Santabarbara is serving his third term on the Schalmont Board of Education. Mr. Santabarbara is a firm believer in enriching the Schalmont education to build better students within the constraints of budgets that our community can afford. Mr. Santabarbara and his wife, Melissa, are proud parents of four past and present Schalmont students (one in middle school, two attending college and another in the workforce). Angelo is currently the Board of Education President and has served on the Audit, Budget Advisory, Policy, Profile of a Graduate, and Technology Committees. Mr. Santabarbara is the Director Networks & Systems | Information Security Officer at Siena College. He earned his MBA in Information Systems & Technology Management from the Rochester Institute of Technology after receiving his bachelor’s degree from RIT.
David Lawrence
David Lawrence has a bachelor’s degree in Secondary Social Studies Adolescent Education and History from SUNY Cortland and a master’s degree in Curriculum Design and Instructional Technology from SUNY Albany. He has been teaching high school social studies for 18 years. He and his wife, Melanie, have two boys in the Schalmont School District. David is an Assistant Scoutmaster in Troop 54 and also coaches RC Little League, Sabre Youth Football and CDYBL for Schalmont. He is running for school board to continue to create more K-12 educational opportunities (academic, social, and emotional) that are accessible to all students, continue to be a line of communication between the Board, community, and parents, and to help ensure a positive learning environment for all Scalmont students. It takes a parent and educator in the classroom to know what students and educators need, and David Lawrence is both.
William Mau
I am William Mau, and I am running for the Schalmont Board of Education, motivated by my profound connection to the district and a strong desire to contribute to its future. As the current Chief Operating Officer for a company in California, I bring a wealth of experience in leadership, strategic oversight, and operational management. My professional journey is underpinned by a solid foundation in education, having earned my teaching degree from The College of Saint Rose. Having grown up in Schalmont, attending its schools, and now seeing my two children do the same, I have both a personal and generational stake in the quality and integrity of our educational environment. This deep-rooted connection to the community inspires my commitment to ensure that our schools not only maintain high standards but also innovate and improve to meet the challenges of tomorrow. I am eager to leverage my skills and experiences to enhance the educational landscape at Schalmont, ensuring it remains a place where future generations can thrive and succeed.
Kyrish Iyer
Kyrish Iyer, a committed parent of two Schalmont students, is actively pursuing re-election to the Schalmont School Board. With nearly two decades of advancing expertise in Supply Chain management at GE and Regeneron, complemented by an MBA from Clarkson University and over a decade serving as a professor at Albany, Kyrish offers a unique perspective. Notably, his previous tenure on the school board underscores his dedication to educational leadership.Kyrish helped spearhead the transition and succession plan for the Schalmont Superintendent position, as well as navigating a challenging period during the pandemic, showcasing his strategic acumen and commitment to the district’s future.
School Tax Information
2022-23 Tax Rates for Schalmont Central School District
Duanesburg
Homestead tax rate: $61.40055662
Non-homestead tax rate: $78.63921143
Florida
Homestead tax rate: $19.6458754
Non-homestead tax rate: $22.14585357
Guilderland
Homestead tax rate: $17.82160332
Non-homestead tax rate: $23.03670803
Princetown
Homestead tax rate: $60.90481811
Non-homestead tax rate: $77.78372352
Rotterdam
Homestead tax rate: $19.42158263
Non-homestead tax rate: $25.49366148
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.