The annual series of budget committee meetings to develop the North Colonie Central School District 2026-27 budget kicked off on Tuesday, March 10, 2026. Superintendent Kathleen Skeals shared with those in attendance and viewing on the livestream how North Colonie CSD is committed to putting forth a budget that is both future-focused and student-centered, while also being thoughtful about what we ask of our community members.
“We have always worked hard in this district to make sure that we are using taxpayer dollars wisely, that we are thinking about sustainability, and that we are thinking about how we invest so that we can provide a first class education and I think this budget will be no different,” said Superintendent Skeals. “We will be mindful of all the stressors that are facing our taxpayers, while we're also thinking about how we offer a great education because we know that that is a game changer for students and their families.”
January projections of Governor Kathy Hochul’s state budget proposal had NCCSD projected to receive a 4.09% increase in foundation aid. That number dropped to 3.32% during the most recent projections run in the middle of February. That 3.32% foundation aid increase is well above the 1.0% minimum increase due in large part to the increasing enrollment in NCCSD.
“We are very much an anomaly compared to our surrounding neighbors,” said Skeals. “Some of them, in the last year, have added more students, but no one has had the growth and enrollment over the last decade like we have had. We've gone up probably 700 students in the last 10 years. And we continue to maintain that.”
A public school district’s main source of revenue is state aid and taxes. Taking all of the available information into account ahead of the first budget committee meeting, when calculating the tax cap formula, the allowable growth factor under the law is the lesser of Consumer Price Index (CPI) or 2.00%. With the CPI at 2.63%, that means the allowable growth factor for 2026-27 is 2.00%, which equates to a preliminary maximum tax increase of 4.79% or $4,713,562 increase in tax revenue. Much like the increased expenses we face at home, Assistant Superintendent for Business Dr. Brian Carey explained the increased expenses for the school district, specifically related to increased health insurance costs.
“Employee Retirement System (ERS) went up over a percent,” said Dr. Carey. “Health insurance rate increases ranged from 9.54% to 20%. Yes, 20%. The third year in a row that we're looking at double digit increases across the region. Something needs to change. We can’t keep going up at these rates, specifically in health insurance. Health insurance represents over a million dollar increase budget to budget.”
As a result, the district is looking not only at this year, but at planning to budget for the upcoming years as well.
“I do think it's incumbent upon us as we continue to talk about the budget that we think about, ‘What does this look like years out?’ It can't be an annual year-to-year budgeting,” said Superintendent Skeals. “It's really not new, budget forecasting for multiple years out. We have always been fiscally responsible while providing an outstanding education. I think that always is what is on this board's mind. I know that we will continue to do that.”
The district will host weekly budget committee meetings through Tuesday, March 31.