2026-27 Proposed School Budget
Schalmont’s budget for 2026-2027 once again preserves all programs and supports for our students, requires no cuts to faculty or staff, and continues our Pre-K program that we started at Woestina Elementary this year.
The proposed budget includes a 1.95% tax levy increase, largely needed to help address rising health insurance costs, a challenge facing most districts.
The budget marks 15 straight years that Schalmont has stayed within the NYS Property Tax Cap, which allows for a 4.2% increase next year. Instead, next year’s budget continues eight straight years of keeping the tax levy increase at or below 2%.
“We are excited to continue the great opportunities for students that our community expects while even creating some new ones,” said Superintendent Dr. Thomas Reardon. “This budget keeps Schalmont financially strong despite the financial challenges facing school districts.”
Dr. Reardon noted Schalmont expects to add new classes next year such as AP Physics 2 and a second Home Improvement & Maintenance elective. New opportunities such as an Acapella Club would join other recently added activities such as Middle School Drama Club and Pickleball.
“Our faculty, staff and administrators are always looking at ways we can add more things that our students are interested in,” said Dr. Reardon. “We are proud to support their efforts that result in meaningful new opportunities for our students.”
The budget also continues Schalmont’s Pre-K program at the reopened Woestina Elementary. Once again, our community has shown great interest in the program, which has already started registering families for next year.
The $61,854,952 budget increases spending by 2.3% over this year (See page 6 for detailed tables and charts).
The Budget Vote is Tuesday, May 19 from 6:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. in our High School Gym Lobby where our community will also decide on a proposition to purchase five diesel school buses as part of our long-term bus replacement plan, a proposition to create a Capital Reserve for Bus Purchases, and two seats on the Board of Education.
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.