Budget proposal carries 0% tax levy increase
Polls open at noon on Tuesday, May 20
Greater Amsterdam School District residents will go to the polls on Tuesday, May 20, from noon to 9 p.m. to vote on a $104,680,842 proposed budget for the 2025-26 school year. The budget proposal maintains a 0% tax levy increase and is well below the district’s tax levy limit, or cap, of 7.88% / $1,693,633.
“While developing the 2025-26 budget, we remained focused on maintaining high-quality academic programming, student support services, and expanded opportunities—all while minimizing the financial impact on our taxpayers,” Superintendent Richard Ruberti said. “This budget is aligned with our district’s mission to provide a safe, inclusive, and engaging educational environment for all students.”
The proposed budget represents a 7.97% spending increase, or $7,723,430 more than the current school year. Because the tax levy increase is below the district’s limit, the budget requires only a simple majority of votes to pass. If approved by voters, qualifying homeowners would also remain eligible for the state’s Property Tax Relief Credit.
The plan preserves all existing programs and staffing, while also expanding services to meet student needs. It includes funding for additional positions, such as six new special education teachers, a music therapist, a second-shift custodial and security coordinator, a new social worker at Amsterdam High School, and increased aide and clerical support.
Other key areas of investment include increased supplies and textbook costs, benefits, and special education BOCES services. The proposal also reflects a reduction in building aid and accounts for higher transportation costs as the district plans to reduce walking distances for students—down to 0.5 miles for elementary and 1.0 mile for middle school students—to improve accessibility and student safety.
Also on the ballot
Bus Purchase: In line with its longterm bus replacement plan, the district proposes purchasing two 28-passenger school buses using $301,121 from its Bus Purchase Reserve Fund. Because the purchase would be funded from a reserve— similar to a savings account—it would not increase the tax levy.
Capital Reserve Fund: The district is also proposing the creation of a $5 million Capital Reserve Fund to support future facilities improvements. Establishing a reserve fund allows districts to plan ahead and save incrementally for the future and mitigate the financial impact of major, nonrecurring or unforeseen expenditures. The money in the fund cannot be spent without voter approval. Public
Library Budget: Voters will decide upon a $607,920 proposition for the Amsterdam Free Library. New York state law allows libraries to place a funding proposition on school district ballots and requires school districts, at the libraries’ requests, to levy and collect taxes for libraries. The libraries are separate legal entities from the school district, with their own funding and budgets. The school district does not endorse, control or recommend any aspect of how the libraries spend money.
THREE-PART BUDGET SUMMARY
New York state law requires all school districts to present their budgets divided into three expenditure categories—administrative, program and capital—and to compare them to the current year’s amounts.
Administrative
PROPOSED FOR 2025-26: $10,051,107
ADOPTED 2024-25: $8,026,114
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.
Program
PROPOSED FOR 2025-26: $82,648,251
ADOPTED 2024-25: $76,120,510
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).
Capital
PROPOSED FOR 2025-26: $11,981,484
ADOPTED 2024-25: $12,810,788
Includes salaries and benefits of maintenance and custodial staff, debt service on buildings, bus purchases, utilities, general insurance a
TOTAL PROPOSED BUDGET FOR 2025-26 $104,680,842
BUDGET/PROJECT HIGHLIGHTS
What’s included in the proposed budget?
Adding instructional and support positions to enhance academic support and after-school tutoring services, including new Earth Science/ Robotics, business education, and art teachers.
Adding one additional social worker for Amsterdam High School.
Funds for extracurricular activities, student clubs, athletics, and eSports.
Expansion of distant learning lab courses.
Acquisition of Transit Van for $58,000 to facilitate various maintenance tasks and streamline operations.
Budget Highlights from 2024-25
Expanded course offerings with new Computer Science/Robotics, and supporting STEM growth and hands-on learning.
Continuation of enrichment programs like LEGO Robotics and YouCubed Math to ignite curiosity and critical thinking in elementary students.
Hired additional social workers to support student well-being.
Increased special education services with more speech teachers, and staff. Invested in student life with more funding for extracurriculars, athletics, clubs, and eSports program.
Expanded access to remote and advanced coursework through distance learning. Purchased a Transit Van to streamline maintenance operations and support school-wide needs.
RAMpage.AI Robotics Team earned the Rookie All Star Award at the Tech Valley Robotics Competition.
Enhanced food services with new menu options, culturally diverse cuisine, and a focus on student engagement—led by our dedicated school lunch director.
Strengthened school safety with a new director of security hire, upgraded safety protocols, and installed metal detectors.
Increased support to the Music/Drama Departments and the new Indoor Drumline. Increased spending on updating facilities, roof repairs, and purchased new lawn equipment.
Board of Education Election
Two three-year term Board of Education seats will be on the ballot. Terms begin July 1, 2025. Candidate information will be available on the district website.
Q&A ON THE 2025-26 PROPOSED BUDGET
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?
A. 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.
To view the newsletter below click here:
(If having trouble accessing the PDF please contact the district office).