Budget development is underway in the Menands School, and the Board of Education is working with the administration to ensure a budget for the coming school year that continues the district’s commitment to academic rigor while remaining fiscally responsible to the residents of the village.
Superintendent Jennifer Cannavo said the board and administration have four key goals during development of the 2026-27 school year budget.
- Invest in equitable practices and supports to ensure all students thrive and feel valued
- Support academic excellence through high-quality, responsive curriculum and instruction
- Invest in whole-child development by fostering a safe, supportive school community
- Remain fiscally responsible to the taxpayers
The district is currently operating with a $12.97 million budget that was approved by nearly 90% of voters last May.
The district has been diligent in recent years in meeting the educational needs of students while also being responsible to taxpayers. A key component of that work is the creation of the Riverside Special Education Collaborative that was launched in 2024 to provide the “least restrictive educational environment” for students in the Menands, Cohoes, Green Island and Watervliet schools.
This collaborative allows all students’ educational needs to be met in local, generalized educational offerings with their peers and to remain a part of the greater Menands community. At the same time, it reduces costs by sharing services with other districts.
Additionally, Cannavo said, the district is maintaining a regular equipment replacement plan; updating/changing curriculum in order to best prepare students for the changing workplace; and fostering community-building through programs such as Sweethearts and Heroes.
“Thanks to the support of taxpayers, our school is meeting the needs of its students and building thoughtful citizens ready for an ever-changing world,” she said.
Board of Education budget workshops are planned for March 9 and March 23 at the school. Budget workshops begin at either 6:30 p.m. or immediately following the Board of Education meeting, which begins at 6:30 p.m. All meetings are live-streamed on the Menands Board of Education YouTube channel.