Board of Education Meeting 2-24-2026

The South Colonie Central School District Board of Education held a meeting on February 24, 2026, focusing primarily on educational program updates, budget discussions, and capital improvement projects. Key procurement-related topics included the upcoming May 2026 capital project vote, which involves leveraging $4.7 million from the district's capital reserve to fund air conditioning and cooling system upgrades in renovated classrooms, with a total borrowing plan of $13 million to maximize state aid without taxpayer impact. The board also discussed the district's tax cap and levy growth factors, projecting a tax levy increase of approximately 3.49% for the 2026-2027 budget year, staying within the allowable cap. Additional budget priorities include staffing increases in student support services, such as adding a full-time psychologist and behavioral specialist, and expanding special education sections. The board approved various personnel changes and passed a resolution to serve as lead agency for environmental review related to the capital project. Public comments focused heavily on special education program concerns, particularly the availability and sustainability of co-teaching services beyond ninth grade. The board acknowledged these concerns and indicated ongoing budget workshops and discussions to address them.