Budget & Taxpayer Information

GASD 2024-25 School Budget

The 2024-25 school budget is in development. Eligible residents will have the opportunity to vote on the proposed budget on Tuesday, May 21, 2024.

Proposed 2024-25 budget

Proposed Budget: $96,957,412
Budget Change: $5,535,432 or 6.05%
Tax Levy Change: 0.00%

What's on the Ballot?

Proposition 1: 2024-25 Budget

The Greater Amsterdam School District (GASD) Board of Education will vote on the 2024-25 school budget proposal May 21. The $96,957,412 million spending plan calls for a $5,535,432 or 6.05% increase in spending over the current year’s budget.

The district’s calculated tax levy limit is 4.85%. The budget proposal carries a tax levy increase of 0.00%, which will require a majority (50% + 1) of voters to authorize the proposal.

The proposal emphasizes student-centered expenditures. Along with preserving all existing programming and maintaining low-class sizes. New staff positions and initiatives would be offered to better meet student needs, including continued support for students’ social-emotional and mental health. Additionally, hall monitors would be hired at the elementary levels to provide the necessary safety precautions for our students.

Proposition 2: Bus Purchases

Also on the ballot is a proposition for the district to use $302,602 from its Bus Purchase Reserve Fund to buy one 50-passenger and one 66-passenger school bus, which follows the district’s bus replacement schedule to maintain a safe and efficient bus fleet. Because the money would come from a reserve fund, which is like a savings account for school districts, the purchase would not increase the tax levy.

Proposition 3: Capital Project

The Greater Amsterdam School District (GASD) has proposed a capital improvement project plan that prioritizes facility needs district-wide, with a focus on enhancing HVAC systems to tackle aging infrastructure and implementing improved air filtration and ventilation systems in all school buildings.

Valued at $62 million, this initiative stands out because it will have 0.00% taxpayer impact. If approved by voters, state building aid would reimburse the district for 95.30% of the project cost and the remaining funds, $4.5 million, would come from the district's Capital Project Reserve Fund, covering the local share of the project.

The proposed capital project has a range of upgrades, including revamped parking lots to improve traffic flow, updates to plumbing fixtures, and the installation of charging stations for electric buses. The stations will be necessary as the state is requiring school districts to transition to a 100% zero-emission electric school bus fleet by 2035. Electrical system enhancements are also on the agenda to ensure optimal functionality.

Proposition 4: Board of Education Vote

On May 21, Voters will decide the new two three-year Board of Education seats Terms begin July 1, 2024.

When is the Vote?

Tuesday, May 21, 2024
noon - 9 p.m.
Signs will direct you to the polls

A community budget newsletter and postcard will be mailed in May.

Where Can You Vote?

School Election District #1
Amsterdam High School – 140 Saratoga Ave., Amsterdam, NY 12010

Ward 1- District 4
Ward 2- District 3
Town of Amsterdam - District 1, 2, 4 District 3 and 4 merged it is now district 3

School Election District #2
Lynch Literacy Academy – 55 Brandt Pl., Amsterdam, NY 12010

Ward 1- District 1, 2, 3
Ward 2- District 1, 2
Ward 3- District 1, 2, 3
Ward 5- District 3

School Election District #3
Marie Curie Institute – 9 Brice St., Amsterdam, NY 12010

Ward 2- District 4
Ward 4- Districts 1, 2 - There is now only 1 district in Ward 4
Ward 5- District 1
Town of Amsterdam- District 3 district 3 and 4 merged it is now district 3

School Election District #4
Barkley Elementary – 66 DeStefano St., Amsterdam, NY 12010

Ward 5- Districts 2, 4
Town of Florida- District 1, 2, 3 district 1,2,3 merged now just district 1

School Budgets in 60 Seconds

Watch the video below for a quick overview of how school budgets are developed in New York

Three-part Budget Summary

All New York state public schools are required by law to report their spending in three categories: administrative, capital, and program. This will be shared here and in the district’s annual budget newsletter.

Administrative Component: $8,062,144/8.28%

Includes salaries and beneﬁts of administrators, supervisors, and administrative clerical staﬀ, school board costs, tax collection, legal and auditing costs, property insurance costs, BOCES administrative costs, and central data processing.

Capital Component: $12,810,788/13.21%

Includes salaries and beneﬁts of all teachers and staﬀ who deliver pupil services (guidance, health, library/media, etc.), BOCES programs, special education services, textbooks, equipment, athletics, and transportation costs (except bus purchases

Program Component: $76,120,510/78.51%

Budget Q&A

What is the difference between the tax levy and the tax rate?

A. The tax levy is the total amount of money a district raises from local taxpayers, while the tax rate is the amount of tax that property owners pay per $1,000 of assessed property value. Keeping the levy flat does not mean tax rates will also stay the same. Tax bills can change when tax rates are set by the city in the summer.

What happens if the budget is voted down?

A. If a proposed budget is defeated by voters, a school district has the option of putting the same or a revised budget up for a revote or adopting a contingent budget. If a proposed budget is defeated twice by voters, a district must adopt a contingent budget.

What is a contingent budget?

State law mandates that under a contingent budget, a school district must adopt a budget with no tax levy increase and eliminate all non-contingent expenses, such as certain student supplies, certain equipment purchases and community use of school facilities that results in a district expense. (In other words, the district would likely need to charge fees for any community use of buildings and grounds.) The administrative budget would also be subject to certain restrictions.

Why is the district proposing a capital project now?

Just like a home, school facilities need regular attention and upkeep to continue to operate year after year as originally intended. The cost of keeping up with the daily wear and tear caused by hundreds of students, staff and visitors, year after year, can rise above and beyond what the annual school budget can support. Capital improvement projects are a way for school districts to complete a larger amount of facilities work sooner than otherwise possible within the scope of the annual school budget.

What happens if voters reject the capital project?

If the capital project is rejected, the district would be left with aging infrastructure, some of which is becoming difficult to update. Facilities would continue to deteriorate and could eventually cause health and safety issues for staff, students and visitors. To use money in the capital reserve fund, the district would need to put forth another referendum, which would delay repairs. If emergency repairs need to be made, they typically cost more and the district does not have the benefit of planning for the expense.

Board of Education Election

On May 21, Greater Amsterdam School District voters will choose two district residents to serve on the GASD Board of Education. Board members each serve a three-year term.

The board is the official policy-making body of the school district. It is responsible for carrying out the laws and regulations pertaining to the education of children living within the district. The board adopts district policy, curriculum, programs of study and approves the hiring of all personnel, as well as establishing the conditions of employment. The board is also responsible for maintaining district facilities, establishing an annual budget and setting a tax levy.

To qualify for board membership, an individual must be:

A district resident for at least one year,
A U.S. citizen,
A minimum of 18 years of age and
Be able to read and write.

The terms of the following incumbents expire on June 30, 2024: Gavin Murdoch and Curtis Peninger.

Early Voting Ballots

A qualified voter may vote as an early mail voter. Each person entitled to vote as an early mail voter and wanting to obtain an early mail ballot must submit a written application to the District Clerk. Any questions regarding the vote or running for the board, please contact Kristi McGaffin, District Clerk, (518) 843-3180 ext. 7801 or kmcgaffin@gasd.org.

The application is available for request on April 3, 2024, and must be received by the District Clerk at least seven (7) days before the election/vote if the ballot is to be mailed to the voter, or the day before the election/vote if the ballot is to be delivered personally to the voter. Applications cannot be received any earlier than 30 days prior to the budget vote, this would mean the application cannot be received before April 22, 2024.

Upon receipt and approval of the application, a ballot will be mailed. The completed ballot must be received by the District Clerk by 5 p.m. on May 21, 2024.

Absentee Ballots

Absentee ballot applications will be available on April 3 for the Greater Amsterdam School District 2024-25 budget vote. A district voter must request an application for an absentee ballot in advance of the vote date. The voter must complete the application and state the reason they will not be able to appear in person on the day of the district election/vote for which the absentee ballot is requested.

A qualified voter in the district may use an absentee ballot if, on voting day, they are a patient in a hospital or unable to appear personally because of illness or physical disability; is required to be outside the country because of duties, occupation or studies; is on vacation outside the country; or is detained in jail awaiting conviction of an offense other than a felony.

If the absentee ballot application form does not provide a reason that you are entitled to an absentee ballot, the application will be processed as an application for an early mail ballot and you will be sent an early mail ballot if otherwise eligible.

The application must be received by the District Clerk at least seven (7) days before the election/vote if the ballot is to be mailed to the voter, or the day before the election/vote if the ballot is to be delivered personally to the voter. Applications cannot be returned any earlier than 30 days prior to the election, which is April 22, 2024.

Upon receipt and approval of the application, a ballot will be mailed. The completed ballot must be received by the District Clerk by 5 p.m. on May 21, 2024.

If you are registered as a permanently disabled absentee voter with the Montgomery County Board of Elections, an absentee ballot will be provided to you after April 22, 2024, without having to request an application.

Any questions regarding the vote or running for the board, please contact Kristi McGaffin, District Clerk, (518) 843-3180 ext. 7801 or kmcgaffin@gasd.org.

Military Application Ballots

Members of the United States Armed Forces may request an application for a military ballot to vote in the upcoming Greater Amsterdam School District budget and board of education election on May 21. Please contact Kristi McGaffin, District Clerk, (518) 843-3180 ext. 7801 or kmcgaffin@gasd.org.

For a military voter to be issued a military ballot, the District Clerk must receive a valid ballot application no later than 5:00 p.m. on April 26, 2024.

If you have any questions please contact Kristi McGaffin, District Clerk, (518) 843-3180 ext. 7801 or kmcgaffin@gasd.org.

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.

The Audit Committee & Financial Statements

School district finances are subject to internal and external auditing, which promote both accountability and transparency. The Greater Amsterdam School District Audit Committee, which is comprised of Board members and community members, is charged with providing independent advice and recommendations to the board.

Each year, in accordance with New York State regulations, an independent auditor conducts a review of the districts’ financial statements. After the audit is completed, it is reviewed by the Audit Committee and accepted by the Board. This typically takes place in the fall. Below are the most recent audited financial statements:

2022-23 SY

Past year audits