Voters to go to the polls Tuesday, May 19
Board proposes budget with a 2.21% estimated average tax rate increase for 2026-27 school year
On Tuesday, May 19, Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake School District residents will go to the polls to vote on a proposed $94,867,769 budget for the 2026-27 school year. Voters will also be asked to elect three candidates to the Board of Education.
Polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. in the gym at BH-BL High School, 88 Lakehill Road.
The proposal carries a 2.21% estimated weighted average tax rate increase with a 3.5% tax levy increase, making this the 15th consecutive year the district has proposed a budget at or below the state’s tax cap.
“Budget development is a complex balancing act between striving to maintain and enhance our existing student programs and opportunities and keeping taxes at a responsible level,” explains Superintendent Dr. Patrick McGrath. “Fortunately, we’ve been able to do both. Fifteen years of historical data shows that BH-BL’s final average tax rate has actually always been lower than what we’ve estimated in May. And, as a result of the board’s steadfast commitment to pursue strategic cost-saving measures, we’ve been able to continue growing and keeping pace with the educational changes that are necessary to prepare our students for the future.”
Budget Drivers
Overall spending in the proposed budget will increase by $5.67 million. The proposed budget-to-budget increase, in terms of an increase in the operating budget, is 4%. A budget-neutral transfer of $2.1 million from the debt service fund as well as other reserve funds (on the revenue side) into the general operating budget (on the expenditure side) for work associated with the 2023 Capital Project must be calculated as a budget increase. Therefore, while the impact of these transfers is recorded as a budget increase, it actually does not impact the proposed tax levy nor the estimated tax rate. When including the budget-neutral transfer, the budget-to-budget increase is calculated as 6.35%. Other factors impacting the 4% operating budget-to-budget increase can be attributed to rising operational costs due to inflationary pressure, rising health insurance costs, and mandated out-of-district placements based on students’ needs.
“We are feeling the pressure of rising operational costs alongside school districts across the state,” says Assistant Superintendent Dr. Christopher Abdoo. “The board focused on finding ways to address these increased price points while maintaining our academic standards. Their priority was to offset growing expenses without compromising the educational experience our community expects.”
Budget Proposals
The proposed 2026-27 school year budget maintains all academic programming and services, prioritizes fiscal responsibility, and expands opportunities for students while simultaneously identifying key areas for
cost savings.
- Reductions & Realignments. The budget includes a cost savings by not filling some retirement/resignation vacancies and strategically realigning those role responsibilities among current staff. This includes the reduction of a K-12 administrative position, a district-level supervisor role, a district office position, and three teaching and two teacher assistant positions. “We are confident that reallocating these roles in-house and distributing responsibilities among existing experienced staff and administrators will allow us to preserve the quality of programming and leadership our students are accustomed to and our community expects,” says Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction Dr. David Collins.
- Expanding the Security Department. The budget supports restoring a Director of Security position, which is also a cost-neutral addition. The position is vital for maintaining the proactive security model currently practiced at the schools and also for providing consistent, high-level supervision of security personnel across all campus locations. Having a Director of Security ensures the district can strike a balance between a secure environment and a supportive, welcoming school climate. The district will continue to partner with the Glenville Police and the Saratoga County Sheriff’s Office to support two SROs.
- Expanding extracurricular offerings. Next year, each elementary school drama club will have an additional advisor to better support students exploring everything from acting, singing, and dancing to the technical behind the scenes side of set design and production. Early exposure to drama clubs can be an outlet for encouraging children to tap into their creative side and hone their collaborative skills, which can help when they step into the middle and high schools’ advanced theatrical productions. The proposed budget also supports additional funding for the middle school’s Organizational Club and the O’Rourke Observer (news publication club), the high school’s Mock Trial and Crocheting & Knittings Clubs, the PEACE Exchange program, and a districtwide Rugby Club.
- Creating Spartan Studios, Jr. A spin off of the high school’s audio/video production team, Spartan Studios (see page 8), this new club at O’Rourke Middle School will be a stepping stone into the world of multi-media production. Students will be introduced to everything on the creative side such as copy writing and producing to the technical precision of filming, editing, and multi-camera setups. Students will also gain hands-on experience with professional-grade video cameras, microphones, lighting, video editing software, etc. The junior club’s main project will be a weekly video for their peers featuring school news, athletic recaps, event highlights, etc. “As the multi-media landscape continues to evolve, it’s important that young people understand it and properly acquaint themselves with it not just as consumers of media, but also as skilled creators,” adds Superintendent McGrath.
- Expanding athletic offerings. The 2026-27 budget proposal supports the addition of two new modified 9 teams—girls flag football and boys soccer. Students in grades 7-9 are eligible to play on Mod 9 teams. As the popularity of these sports increase, the harder it is for the existing levels to accommodate the demand, often resulting in the difficult decision to turn students away. Providing another level of play can reduce the risk of discouraging student athletes from pursuing a sport altogether. Additionally, modified play is crucial in helping students develop the skills needed to seamlessly transition to higher level competitive play in high school. The budget also includes the addition of a part-time Aquatics Director to provide more opportunities for students and the community to use the swimming pool when not in use by swim teams.
- Constructing a new baseball field. This work is being done as a direct extension of the 2023 Capital Project, which supports the construction of a second multipurpose turf facility on the site of the current varsity baseball field. The project does not impact the tax levy because it is funded primarily through the use of existing district funds earmarked for construction-related costs. The 2026-27 budget supports the replacement of the high school’s outdated space with a modern field featuring professional-grade drainage, a leveled playing surface, a precision-built pitching mound, and new dugouts. This work will also alleviate significant safety concerns caused by foul balls landing in the stands and on the surface of Centennial Field.
Q. What happens if voters do not approve the proposed budget?
A. Under New York state law, if the school budget is defeated, the BH-BL Board of Education typically has two options: put the same or a modified budget up for another vote on the third Tuesday in June, or immediately adopt a contingent budget. If residents defeat the proposed budget during a second vote, the board must adopt a contingent budget.
Contingent Budget Rules
Under New York state law, districts that adopt a contingent budget cannot increase the current tax levy by any amount—resulting in a zero percent tax levy increase.
Bringing the BH-BL tax levy increase down to zero would force the board to reduce the proposed budget by $1,666,084. In doing this, it is unlikely that the board will be able to adhere to its goal of preserving student programs and services or staff, or expanding academic and extracurricular programming. It would also likely have to make a number of staff reductions at all schools, which would increase class sizes.
Adopting a contingent budget also prohibits a district from spending any money in certain areas, including community use of school facilities (unless all costs are reimbursed to the district); new equipment purchases
including school buses; nonessential maintenance; capital expenditures (except in emergencies); salary increases for non-instructional and non-unionized employees; and certain field trips and student supplies.These requirements existed prior to the tax levy cap and remain in effect.
Q. Are new buses being purchased for next year?
A. Yes, new buses, both electric and diesel, are included in the budget for next school year. The total estimated cost of the new buses is included in the budget proposal rather than as a separate proposition. Bus purchases are done this way so the district doesn’t have to borrow funds and incur debt. The proposal includes $1,962,525 for the purchase of six new buses to replace some of the district’s oldest buses. This figure includes funding for two full-size buses and one small diesel bus as well as three full-size electric buses. However, electric buses will only be purchased if the district receives grant funding for a significant portion of the total cost.
The district anticipates being reimbursed approximately 72 percent or $1.37 million of the cost of the buses through state transportation aid in subsequent years. Additionally, by purchasing buses outright, the district saves an estimated $50,000 annually in interest and legal fees associated with borrowing funds.
Bus Replacement Plan
The buses scheduled to be replaced in the 2026-27 school year are among the oldest in the district’s fleet and have already accumulated high mileage, exceeded their warranties, and undergone many maintenance repairs. Beyond certain limits, buses typically become too costly to maintain given the state’s stringent safety codes. Furthermore, new school buses are aligned with the latest safety and emissions standards and have better fuel economy rates.
BH-BL’s 69-bus fleet travels more than 890,000 miles a year, transporting more than 3,100 students to and from its five schools. The buses are also used for sporting events, out-of-district school placement runs, shared transportation runs, field trips, summer school, and other events.
In order to keep buses in safe working order, the district’s long-standing policy
has been to replace several of the oldest buses each year.
Q. Are there any tax savings programs available to help taxpayers?Homeowners can receive a property tax exemption or credit under the School Tax Relief (STAR) program.
The Basic STAR* exemption or credit is available on a homeowner’s primary residence for anyone who owns and lives in his/her own home. Homeowners who earn $500,000 or less can receive a STAR credit. Homeowners earning $250,000 or less can receive a STAR exemption.
The Enhanced STAR exemption is available on the primary residence of taxpayers age 65 and older with yearly incomes of $110,750 or less.
Other Tax Relief Options
BH-BL residents over the age of 65 with incomes of $37,400 or less also can be exempted from paying school taxes on 5 to 50 percent of their home’s assessed value depending on their exact income. The district also grants a disability exemption, ranging from 5 to 50 percent, for qualifying residents of any age with disabilities and incomes of less than $37,400.
The board adopted the Alternative Veterans’ Tax Exemption and, more recently, the Firefighters’ Tax Exemption, which allows qualifying veterans and firefighters to be exempted from paying school taxes on a portion of their home’s assessed value depending on their military and fire service.
Applications for these district exemptions must be filed with your town assessor’s office. Please visit your town’s website or call your town assessor if you have questions.
Board of Education Candidates
On May 19, residents may also elect three members to the Board of Education for three-year terms.
* The statements were written by the candidates. The opinions contained within are theirs and may not reflect the opinions or views of BH-BL School District leaders or the Board of Education.
Lakshmi Nagarajan is seeking her third term on the BH-BL Board of
Education. During her six years on the board, Lakshmi served as both president and vice president, and as an active member of several committees such as Audit, Finance, Health & Safety, and Diversity. She was also a member of the 2023 Capital Project Committee and played an integral role in the Superintendent Search. She is an officer for the high school’s PTSA and involved in many school-related activities. Professionally, Lakshmi is a Certified Financial Planner, holds multiple securities licenses and is a Senior Wealth Manager and partner at Holistic Wealth Advisor. She holds her Master’s in Business Administration from the University of Connecticut. She and her husband, James, are 19-year residents and have two children in the district. *See Lakshmi’s position statement below.
“I have had the privilege of serving on the Board of Education for the past six years. In that time, I have gained a better understanding of our education system and, more importantly, our community. I firmly believe that while our opinions, politics, and beliefs may be different, our core values are shared.
As we build on our district’s success, it is essential that all voices and perspectives from our community are heard. I am passionate about fostering meaningful community involvement. Constituents should be able to debate different policies and proposals while administrators and educators should be empowered to implement best practices. This process should be transparent to all stakeholders to encourage open communication, trust, and collaboration.
While involvement is important at the district level, we need to stay competitive at state, national and global levels. Education is facing rapid change, particularly with the growing influence of technology, which must be carefully evaluated for its impact. At the same time, we must remain mindful of ongoing economic pressures that impact us all.
Our community is best positioned to identify what our needs are to sustain the district’s high levels of achievement. Although we rely on financial support from the government, we must advocate for ourselves—pushing back on mandates that do not serve our community while maximizing monetary and infrastructure support for which we qualify. Competing demands for resources across all grade levels must be carefully considered and balanced against budgetary constraints, as well as the reality that taxpayers face financial priorities beyond education that continue to put pressure on household budgets. Recognizing and weighing the priorities of all stakeholders is key to our continued success.
As a BH-BL resident for almost 20 years, I am proud of our community’s values. I remain fully committed to serving the best interests of our community and our schools, and I will always look for a path that considers the betterment of both.
I would be truly humbled and honored for the opportunity to continue to serve on the Board of Education so we can continue moving our district forward—thoughtfully, responsibly, and together. “
James Ireland is seeking his second term on the BH-BL Board of Education.
He and his wife, Kim, have been district residents for 24 years. They have two children, a senior and a 2023 BH-BL High School graduate. Jim holds a Bachelor’s degree from St. Lawrence University where he studied math and economics. Professionally, he is a Mortgage Loan Originator for Ballston Spa National Bank. Jim is also a member of the Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake Business & Professionals Association, a member and vice president of the Leadership Saratoga Alumni Association, and a volunteer for the community-wide Flag Day Parade. He and his family also play an integral role in the BH Track Club, both within the district and the community. *See Jim’s position statement below.
“It has been an honor serving as a member of the Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake School Board for the last three years. I am seeking a second term to the board to build on our successes and to lead during the inevitable challenges ahead.
During my tenure, the Board of Education has:
- Overseen a Capital Project Plan, overwhelmingly supported by the community, that makes strategic investments in our school’s infrastructure;
- Expanded academics and programs to meet the growing needs of our students;
- Managed the district’s finances in a manner that keeps tax rates affordable while supporting educational programs;
- Conducted a leadership search that will see Dr. Christopher Abdoo as the district’s new superintendent;
- Implemented a successful smart phone policy; and
- Created an Artificial Intelligence policy founded on academic integrity that recognizes that this is an ever changing topic that will require many tough conversations in the future.
I believe that BH-BL’s utilization of Shared Decision Making is fundamental to the success of our district’s operations and is a practice I will continue to support. It enables varied stakeholder groups to come together to guide important conversations. It allows decisions to be made that benefit our children, staff, and community.
When I came to the board, I had experience having already served on two hiring committees, co-chaired the last two Capital Project Committees, and was a member of the O’Rourke Middle School Building Council for six years. I visited the classroom teaching Junior Achievement at Charlton Heights, participated on the Charlton Heights Playground Build Committee, and served as President of the BH Track Booster Club.
My wife and I have been members of the community for more than 24 years. We chose to raise our family here those many years ago for good reason—the quality of the school. Our oldest is a junior at SUNY Geneseo studying to become a history teacher. Our youngest will walk across the stage this June and will head to Plymouth State University to study Environmental Science. While my family’s time in the schools will shortly come to an end, my interest and commitment to the district does not.
I look forward to continuing to serve this community and humbly ask for the voters’ support.”
John Shillito is seeking his first term on the BH-BL Board of Education. He has been a Burnt Hills resident for more than 20 years.
For the past nine years, John has served in the Civil Air Patrol as a Cadet First Lieutenant. Professionally, he works at Gil’s Garage in Burnt Hills as a technician. In this capacity, he is also responsible for mentoring local high school students who have an apprenticeship at Gil’s Garage either through a BOCES Career & Technical Education program or through the work study program at BH-BL High School.
John was also a volunteer firefighter for three years and currently volunteers as a pit crew member at the Albany-Saratoga Speedway in Malta. *See John’s position statement below.
“Greetings, my name is John Shillito. I have been a resident of Burnt Hills for more than 20 years. I take great pride in this town and have a great appreciation for the men and women who assist in the development of the next generation. I would love to give back to the community that has supported me by running as a candidate for the BH-BL school board.
I am currently employed as a Technician at Gil’s Garage here in Burnt Hills. I have been employed there for three years. My current duties are general maintenance and mentoring students who apprentice at the Shop through either BOCES or the BH-BL Shop program. I have nine years of leadership training and experience through Civil Air Patrol, where I achieved the grade of Cadet 1st Lieutenant. I also have 15 years of Public Speaking experience through Civil Air Patrol and speaking at individual events. I believe that these skills make me an excellent candidate for the School Board.
My main priorities are first, to create an environment suitable for training and teaching the next generation of great leaders in sacrificial leadership, and to continue the legacy of our great town into future generations. Secondly, I want to guide our Schools into a strong financial position free from debt. And finally, I want to give our Schools the ability to pivot with changing times. I strongly believe that my experience and training give me an excellent advantage to accomplish these goals.
If I am elected, I will seek to build up Leadership and Financial programs to equip our youth to face the ever-changing world, seek to create financial stability in our school through a balanced budget, and give alternative views on current problems. I want to continue the legacy that our School was founded on, and create a bright future for our community here in Burnt Hills and Ballston Lake, our state, and our nation.
Thank you for your consideration of my candidacy for the BH-BL school board.”