April 20, 2010 - At its monthly meeting on April 19, the North Colonie Board of Education officially adopted the proposed 2010-11 budget of $91,150,000. The budget proposal, which voters will consider at the polls on May 18, carries a projected tax increase of 3.6 percent.

Due to rising costs such as health insurance, pension contributions and contractual salary increases and a 12 percent loss of state aid under the Governor’s proposal, the Board entered its budget process on March 8 with a nearly $4 million gap between projected expenditures and revenues. Superintendent for Business, Thomas J. Rybaltowski estimated at that time that it would take a tax increase of about 11.34 percent to close this gap through local property taxes alone, which was unacceptable given the financial situation New York State and its citizens are currently facing.

Throughout the months of March and April, the Board of Education held weekly Budget Committee meetings to review all components of the proposed budget. The Board trimmed $3.2 million in program cuts across each budget area. The cuts include 12 instructional positions, consisting of seven positions at the elementary level, 1.4 positions at Shaker Junior High School and 3.6 positions at Shaker High School.

The district withdrew a proposal to expand student walk zones, thereby eliminating the need for additional students to walk to school.

“Each reduction that was discussed was a difficult one,” Superintendent Randy Ehrenberg said. “I am very appreciative of the work of our administrative team, the Board of Education and the community members who are serving on our District Budget Committee this year.".”

Each week, dedicated community members attended these meetings, offered valuable suggestions and shared concerns and comments with the Board in an effort to help shape a budget that would best reflect the needs of the North Colonie community.

“We offer our sincere gratitude and extend our hands in respect to the North Colonie community,” Board President Mary Nardolillo said. “We had to make some very tough decisions. Since our motivation to serve on this Board of Education is to champion for our students, this was a particularly difficult process.”

North Colonie will be holding a Budget Forum and Meet the Board Candidates Night, on Thursday, May 6, 7:30 p.m. at Shaker Junior High School. Residents are encouraged to attend to learn more about the district's budget proposal and the board candidates and their positions on important school matters.

The annual school budget vote will be held on Tuesday, May 18 at all Elementary Schools and the Goodrich Building, from 9:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m.