Menands residents will go to the polls on Tuesday, May 19 to vote on a proposed $13,997,420 budget for the 2026-2027 school year.
The proposed budget includes a tax levy increase of 2.01%, which remains within the district’s allowable tax cap as calculated by the state formula. As such, the proposal requires a simple majority, 50% plus one vote, for approval.
The budget represents a $1 million—7.87%—increase in spending. Actual spending on traditional items is increasing by about 6%, Superintendent Jennifer Cannavo said, with the remaining increase of 1.87% required for the short-term borrowing necessary to fund the capital project that voters approved in May 2025.
The spending increase is offset by anticipated revenue from property taxes, state aid, interest earnings, tuition from non-resident students, and the district’s fund balance.
Superintendent Jennifer Cannavo said the proposal reflects the district’s continued commitment to academic excellence and fiscal responsibility.
The proposed budget:
- Maintains rigorous academic programming to ensure all students are challenged and successful
- Supports all learners through academic, social-emotional learning (SEL), and specialized services, including targeted intervention across content areas
- Continues investment in curriculum development and aligned professional development, including Responsive Classroom training for new staff
- Advances diversity, equity and inclusion priorities and inclusive practices to ensure all students feel supported and valued
- Preserves all extracurricular opportunities
- Maintains critical staffing to support student learning and district operations
- Continues the commitment to facilities and infrastructure, including a repair reserve referendum
Savings
Given the skyrocketing costs of everything, Cannavo said the Board of Education and administration have taken an in-depth look at where costs can be reduced.
One key savings was achieved through the joining of a small-schools healthcare consortium that allows Menands to essentially maintain its health insurance options for faculty and staff at current costs.
That, the superintendent said, is a significant savings given that the district was facing upwards of a 20% increase in costs prior to joining the consortium.
Cannavo noted that the savings come with no reductions in the insurance offerings to faculty and staff.
Cannavo said she is pleased with the effort made by everyone within the Menands community to identify cost savings and help address the financial stresses impacting schools across the state.
“It’s not been easy, but our community, our board, faculty and staff have made tremendous effort to identify and implement cost savings so that we can put forth this budget proposal,” she said.
Repair Reserve Referendum
The repair reserve referendum will allow the school to replenish the reserve fund for emergency repairs. During the past couple of years, school officials have faced unexpected repairs, including to the heating, cooling ventilation and refrigeration (HVAC/R) system. The referendum, if approved, would replace those funds.