Public schools are among the most significant investments that any community makes collectively. District leaders work to make the most effective use of resources to benefit students, to develop and manage the budget in a responsible and transparent manner, and to be accountable to taxpayers. Each spring the Board of Education adopts a budget for the coming school year for a community vote, which is typically held on the third Tuesday in May.
Menands voters approve 2021-22 budget
On May 18, Menands Union Free School District voters approved (81 to 20) a $10.28 million spending plan for the 2021-22 school year.
Under the approved budget, spending will increase by $451,265 over the current year. The plan maintains all existing programs and opportunities for students while also enhancing technology hardware and support, and dedicated professional development opportunities that align with district goals. Additionally, the budget supports the district’s increasingly diverse student population and student needs, consistent with the district’s mission and goals.
The budget carries a tax levy increase of $22,497, or 0.31%, which is within the allowable tax levy cap as calculated by the state’s formula. As a result, a simple majority (50% plus one vote) was needed for approval.
Voters also elected Andi DeLancy to the Board of Education. She will begin serving a five-year term on July 1.
Past budget summaries
2020-21
- Final Budget 2020-21: $9,824,370
- Spending Increase: 8.69 percent
- Tax Levy Increase: 3.36 percent
2019-20
- Final Budget 2019-20: $9,038,667
- Spending Increase: 3.53 percent
- Tax Levy Increase: 3.75 percent
2018-2019
- Final Budget 2018-19: $8,730,680
- Spending Increase: 2.14 percent
- Tax Levy Increase: 3.25 percent
2017-2018
- Final Budget 2017-18: $8,548,159
- Spending Increase: 2.54 percent
- Tax Levy Increase: 1.81 percent
2016-2017
- Final Budget 2016-17: $8,336,436
- Spending Increase: 3.41 percent
- Tax Levy Increase: 1.36 percent
Voter Information
Residents across New York State go to the polls on the third Tuesday each May to vote on the annual school budget and elect members to the Board of Education. Voters must be 18 years old, United States citizens, and have resided in the district for at least 30 days prior to the vote. You do not need to be pre-registered in order to vote, but personal identification may be requested at the polls.
Absentee ballot information
Absentee ballots are issued, upon request, to residents of the school district who will be out of town or unable to vote in person due to illness or disability. To vote via absentee ballot, district residents must first complete and sign an absentee ballot application.
A completed application must be received by the district clerk at least seven (7) days before the election if the ballot is to be mailed to the voter or the day before the election if the ballot is to be picked up at the District Office. The ballot itself must be returned to the District Clerk no later than 5 p.m. on the day of the election.
Jeanne Mentiply | District Clerk
jmentiply@menands.org
518-465-4561, ext. 108
Menands School District
19 Wards Lane
Menands, NY 12204
School Taxes
School taxes are collected on behalf of the district by the Town of Colonie Tax Department.
Town of Colonie Tax Department Website | (518) 783-2730 | Tax Dept. FAQs | Look up and pay your tax bill online
The STAR Program
Homeowners who meet certain eligibility requirements through the New York State School Tax Relief Program – STAR – can have a portion of their home’s assessed value exempt from school property taxes. Learn more about the STAR program.