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.
Budget Vote Delayed
New York state school budget votes and board of education elections will be delayed until at least June 1, 2020, according to an executive order released by Governor Andrew Cuomo on Monday, March 30.
The order specifically says, “Any school board, library board, or village election scheduled to take place in April or May of 2020 is hereby postponed until at least June 1, 2020, and subject to further directive as to the timing, location or manner of voting for such elections.”
This change will also impact our regular notification practices and timelines for sharing information about the vote and election.
Once a new vote date has been determined we will share an updated budget timeline.
2020-21 Budget Development Schedule
The following schedule is subject to change. Additional Budget Workshops may be added if necessary. Any dates and content are subject to change based on information available.
- December 9 – Present Draft 2020-21 Budget Calendar
- January 13 – Budget Workshop – Discuss Parameters, Updates/Projections
- February 3 – Budget Workshop – 2020-21 Budget Draft 1, Tax Cap if applicable
- March 1 – 2020-21 Calculation for Tax Levy limit to the Office of the State Comptroller, Tax and Finance & SED
- March 9 Budget Workshop – 2020-21 Draft 2
- April 7 – Budget Workshop – Canceled
- April 22 – Budget Workshop, to be held remotely w/livestream available
- TBD – Property Tax Report Card/Administrator Salary Disclosure Due
- TBD – Budget Workshop – Budget Hearing
- TBD – Budget Notice Mailed – Final Budget Available
- TBD – Budget Vote
Current Year Budget (2019-20) Information
On Tuesday, May 21, 2019, Menands voters approved the 2019-20 budget by a vote of 80 in favor and 26 opposed.
-
- Proposed budget: $9,038,667
- Proposed spending increase: 3.53 percent
- Proposed tax levy increase: 3.75 percent Budget Statement 2019-2020 : if you have any trouble accessing this document, please contact Jeanne Mentiply at jmentiply@menands.org an alternative version will be provided for you.
- Proposed budget: $9,038,667
Past budget summaries
2018-2019
- Final Budget 2018-2019: $8,730,680
- Spending Increase: 2.14 percent
- Tax Levy Increase: 3.25 percent
2017-2018
- Final Budget 2017-2018: $8,548,159
- Spending Increase: 2.54 percent
- Tax Levy Increase: 1.81 percent
2016-2017
- Final Budget 2016-2017: $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 available for residents who will be out of town or unable to vote at the polls due to illness or disability. Please note the following deadlines for absentee ballots. To request an absentee ballot, please contact the District Clerk by phone at (518) 465-4561, Ext. 106 or in-person at the District Office, 19 Wards Ln, Menands.
- If you are requesting an absentee ballot by mail: Absentee ballots must be requested by May 11 if the ballot is to be mailed.
- If you are requesting an absentee ballot in person: Absentee ballots must be requested by the day before the vote (May 18) if you are picking up the ballot in person.
- Deadline for absentee ballots: All absentee ballots must be returned by 4 p.m. on the day of the vote (May 19).
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.