On Tuesday, May 19, Queensbury Union Free School District residents will decide on a proposed $85,973,621 budget for the 2026-27 school year. The proposed spending plan preserves and enhances programs and services currently provided in Queensbury schools and reflects a spending increase of $3,290,468, or 3.98%.
The projected tax rate is $13.90 per $1,000 of assessed valuation. Actual tax bills are calculated in August using a property’s assessed value as determined by the local town assessor and the property tax rate. STAR exemptions or other exclusions can reduce school tax bills for eligible residents.
“We’re proud to put forward a budget that retains our staff, upholds a strong standard of education, and is fiscally responsible to taxpayers,” said Superintendent of Schools Kyle Gannon.
Voters will elect candidates to fill two seats on the Queensbury Board of Education, one for a five-year term expiring in 2031, and one expiring June 30, 2027 (see p. 4). Polls will be open from 10 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. Tuesday, May 19, in the Queensbury High School Queensbury Room, 409 Aviation Road.
Under the proposed plan, the school tax levy — or total amount of money collected from local property owners — would increase by 2.5%, or $1,005,832.
The tax levy accounts for 47.97% of the proposed budget, while state aid will fund 42.46%, with a projected $2,284,636 increase in state aid in the 2026-27 school year.
“Schools are experiencing declining enrollment, but not declining costs,” said Scott Whittemore, the assistant superintendent of business. “The ‘hold harmless’ provision means some schools are getting more state foundation aid than they should and that money is not going to schools that need it.”
The tax levy increase is due to the increase in employee salaries and benefits — mainly an expected 5% increase in health insurance costs. Queensbury UFSD is part of a 30-school health insurance consortium that shares administration costs and obtains volume discounts on health insurance for current and retired employees.
“The increasing cost of health insurance is going to be a long-term issue for all school districts,” Whittemore said. “Queensbury has planned ahead for this increase to mitigate the effects.”
Included in the budget is the purchase of two small buses and four 72-passenger buses, which will cost about $1.3 million. All of these six buses will be diesel powered. There are no electric bus purchases included in this proposed budget.
The district did purchase four electric buses through federal grants that existed at the time, and was able to purchase these four buses at a significantly lower price — lower than the price of a diesel bus.
The proposed budget also includes money to replace communal bathrooms at Queensbury Middle School with more single-stall bathrooms like at the high school.
The proposed budget will also include funds for air conditioning in the William H. Barton Intermediate School cafeteria, new lighting in the high school auditorium, and single-use bathrooms at the middle and high schools.
“This budget reflects our long-term planning efforts to sustain a high-quality education while keeping tax rate increases modest,” Whittemore said. “It strikes a balance between meeting community expectations and ensuring we have the resources to support strong educational programs.”