Board of Education adopts 2008-09 budget

The Cohoes City School District Board of Education adopted a $35,028,236 school budget with no expected change in the tax rate at its regular meeting on Wednesday, April 23.

Next year's proposed budget has a spending increase of $1,847,591, which is 5.57 percent more than the current year's approximately $33.2 million budget. The proposed increase in spending is driven primarily by costs incurred through district building projects approved by voters in 2006. These building project costs, however, will be nearly all offset by state building aid.

The projected 0 percent tax increase is based on current expected state aid revenues and currently calculated city assessment figures.

"We are enthusiastic about the budget we are presenting to the community," said Superintendent Charles S. Dedrick. "Our budget has no projected tax impact this year, and we will continue to enable the Cohoes schools to provide sound educational opportunities for our students."

One addition proposed in next year's budget is funding for technology upgrades, including $40,000 to purchase 140 computers for use in all the district's buildings, which will directly affect student learning in the classroom.

Other new items proposed in the budget include:
• Two intern psychologist positions to assist the full-time staff.
• A part-time athletic trainer to assist sports teams in the district.
• Additional athletic equipment, including resistance training and aerobic equipment.
• A planned partnership with another local community organization to enhance the Character Education program.

In recent years, the district has benefited from lower-than-anticipated health insurance costs, a result of restructuring the program through contract negotiations. The district has also been able to save money on energy by being a member of the energy consortium and buying electricity and natural gas in cooperation with other district. In addition, the district's energy conservation program, which encourages students and staff to save energy whenever possible, has saved the district $524,957  since 2005 and is expected to save the district nearly $3 million by 2015.

A public hearing on the budget will be held on May 7 at 6:30 p.m. Residents will vote on the proposed budget on May 20 from noon to 9 p.m. at the district's three elementary schools.

To see the district 2008-09 Budget section, click here.