Glens Falls residents vote “Yes” on the 2023-24 school budget
Glens Falls City School District residents approved the 2023-24 school budget today by an unofficial tally of 441 “yes” votes to 104 “no” votes – an 81 percent approval rate. The $57.1 million 2023-24 school budget will increase the tax levy by 2.57 percent. The spending plan adds teaching and staff positions to support academic, social-emotional, and mental wellness efforts. It also allows for the purchase of 4 school buses, and provides for strategic planning and professional development to implement district goals.
Proposition 1, to authorize using the funds in the previously-established capital reserve to replace the artificial turf on the High School athletic field, passed by an unofficial tally of 434 to 110 votes.
Board of Education candidate Sara DiLandro received an unofficial tally of 482 votes. Her five-year term will begin on July 1st.
The Board of Education will certify all results at its next meeting on June 12, 2023.
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Read the budget newsletter, mailed to all resident households
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View the sample ballot, and don’t forget to vote both sides!
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April 3, 2023: Board of Education budget adoption: Slides
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May 8, 2023: Public Hearing on the Proposed Budget: Slides
Budget Proposal at a glance
- Total proposed budget, 2023-24: $57,135,126
- Tax levy percentage increase: 2.57%
- Tax levy dollar amount increase: $586,475
- Total tax levy: $23,431,072
- Maximum allowable (tax cap): 2.57%
Building student achievement + success in 2023-24
With the goal of enhancing learning outcomes for all students, the Board of Education has adopted a $57.1 million budget proposal for the 2023-24 school year that expands current programs and services and stays within the property tax cap.
If approved by the voters on Tuesday, May 16, the spending plan would increase the tax levy by 2.57 percent, which is the district’s maximum allowable without a super majority vote. The proposed budget would increase the tax levy by $586,475 over the current year budget.
The 2023-24 budget includes a substantial transfer, in the amount of $5,495,000, from the General Fund to the Capital Fund, to help fund the voter-approved (December 2021) $32.1 million capital project. These funds come from the district’s previously established (2009) capital reserve fund ($250,000) and savings on hand ($5,245,000), and is part of the district’s capital plan for ensuring the project has no tax impact.
Voting takes place from noon to 9 p.m. in the Sanford Street School gym on May 16th.
The spending plan includes:
- A new teaching position for Math Academic Intervention and Support at the elementary level.
- Purchase of two existing school buses at residual value.
- Purchase of two new 65-passenger school buses to replace the oldest vehicles in the fleet.
- Comprehensive strategic planning to focus district resources, time, and attention on our most important goals and objectives.
- Structured, evidence-based, multi-year professional development for faculty and staff to align, focus, and implement district goals.
- A brand new driver education program at GFHS.
- A Director of Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS) position to support our students with challenges to their academic and social-emotional development.
Board of Education candidate
The Board of Education of the Glens Falls City School District is made up of nine members who are elected by qualified voters of the district. They serve without pay for five-year terms. The Board of Education, in serving its role as trustee of the district’s five schools, is responsible for the development of the policy through which the Superintendent administers the educational program, the students, and the staff.
All Board members serve “at large” and represent the entire district. This year, there is one candidate running for one open seat on the Board of Education.
