GUILDERLAND, N.Y. (NEWS10) — The Guilderland Central School District Board of Education held a special meeting on Tuesday to discuss the upcoming budget. Projections show the district is facing a budget shortfall over $1 million for the 2026-2027 school year.
The district blamed declining elementary school enrollment and rising operation costs for the deficit. To make up the difference between expenses and revenue, the district has recommended cutting some teaching and staff positions as well as some athletic and extracurricular programs.
According to the district, the cuts that have already been recommended have lowered the budget deficit from $4.1 million to its current $1.8 million.
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Recommended changes for elementary schools include:
- Additional reductions in art and reading instruction
- Elimination of first-grade teaching assistants
- Elimination of the Positivity Project and enrichment supplies budget in elementary schools
- Addition of ENL instruction to meet mandated English language learner service hours
Suggestions for the middle school includes:
- Reductions in enrichment offerings
- Elimination of a TV studio position
- Reductions to co-curricular stipends, with several clubs discontinued
- Addition of sixth-grade world language section
Ideas for high school include:
- Elimination of science teacher (through attrition) and library clerical position
- Reduction of instructional time in social studies, art, PE and music
- Reduction in the number of math teaching assistants from two to one
- Reductions to co-curricular stipends, with several clubs discontinued
- Continuation of online access to AP registration and exam fees
The district is also considering eliminating several modified and freshman teams, eliminating five special education teaching assistant positions, eliminating the director of diversity, equity and inclusion, and reductions to instructional technology materials and services.
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“Preserving reserves helps ensure the district remains financially stable and able to respond to unexpected needs. Reserves are intended for one-time emergencies, unforeseen capital projects or to reduce the tax impact of major planned investments—not to support ongoing operating expenses,” he wrote…