Budget & Finance

Overview

Public schools are among the most significant investments that any community makes collectively. District leaders work to make the most effective use of resources to benefit students, develop and manage the budget responsibly and transparently, and be accountable to taxpayers.

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Current Operating Budget

Budget Archive

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Budget News for Current Budget Year

Stillwater residents approve 2025-26 budget, elect three to the Board of Education

On Tuesday, May 20, 2025, residents of the Stillwater Central School District approved the proposed $31,707,356 budget for the 2025-26 school year by a vote of 373 to 145, a 72.01% approval. The budget reflects a 3.00% increase in spending over the current-year budget and a 4.87% increase in the tax levy, which is within the district’s tax levy limit.

“On behalf of the Stillwater Central School District, I sincerely thank the community for their participation in today’s vote,” said Superintendent of Schools Joseph Mariano, Jr. “Your approval of the 2025-26 budget ensures we continue providing a safe, high-quality education that supports student success while maintaining long-term fiscal responsibility. We’re excited to move forward together, building on this foundation for our students and future generations.”

The approved budget maintains all educational programs for students, preserves current services and includes the purchase of four new diesel school buses. It also provides funding for faculty and staff salary increases, higher health insurance and employee benefit costs, the elementary STEAM program, BOCES Career and Technical Education (CTE), and a new agricultural science teacher position.

The projected tax levy—the total amount of money a school district raises through property taxes—increases by 4.87% under the approved budget. This increase is below Stillwater’s maximum allowable tax levy increase of 4.88% as determined by the state’s tax levy “cap” formula.

District officials surmise that school tax rates, which are the amount of taxes residents pay per $1,000 of assessed property value, will increase by approximately 2.31% for district residents. Final school tax rates are set in August when municipalities finalize their assessment rolls.

In addition to approving the 2025–26 budget, residents elected Tara Gutman, Rob McCoy, and Aimee Salecker to the Board of Education for three-year terms beginning July 1, 2025. Voters also passed a $413,782 budget for the Stillwater Public Library and elected Christine Zakrzewski, Brandon Dingeman and Lora Segura to its Board of Trustees, each for three-year terms starting July 1, 2025.

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Budget Development Information

2025-26 Budget Documents

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Previous Budget Development Information

2024-25 School Year Budget Information

On May 21, 2024, Stillwater residents approved a proposed $30,782,778 budget for the 2024-25 school year by a vote of 183 to 92. They also elected three members to the Board of Education, approved the Stillwater Public Library budget and elected library trustees.

2024-25 Budget Documents

2023-24 Budget Documents

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Fiscal Transparency

Local & State Audits

• 2024 Financial Audit Report (Via Google Drive)
• 2023 Financial Audit Report (Via Google Drive)
• 2022 Financial Audit Report (Via Google Drive)
• 2021 Financial Audit Report (Via Google Drive)
• 2020 Financial Audit Report (Via Google Drive)
• 2019 Financial Audit Report (Via Google Drive)

School-level Spending Reports

• 2018-19 Fiscal Accountability Report

NYS Report Cards

• SCSD NYS Report Card 2020-21
• SCSD NYS Report Card 2019-20
• SCSD NYS Report Card 2018-19

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School Budget 101

In New York state, local school boards must annually develop a balanced school budget proposal and put it up for a public vote on the third Tuesday in May. Learn more about school budget development.

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School Taxes Links

District Tax Rates

Tax rates for the four municipalities in the district are set each August. They are based on the tax levy for the year and final municipal assessments for each of the towns. Tax rates vary between the towns because property in each is assessed at different levels of full market value. The state assigns each town an equalization rate to fairly divide the tax levy between the towns.

The district does not control any part of the assessment or equalization process. Tax rates are as follows:

*Tax rates are per $1,000 of assessed property value; above figures are rounded to two decimal points.

For information about STAR exemptions, visit the STAR website or call 518-457-2036.

The tax rates differ between the towns because, as is often the case in school districts that span multiple municipalities, properties in different communities are assessed at varying levels of full-market value. The state assigns each town an “equalization rate” to fairly distribute the amount of taxes each town must pay.

Instructions for Paying School Taxes

The Stillwater Central School District will not be offering an in-person tax payment option at the district or Ballston Spa National Bank for the 2025-26 school tax collection. Payments will only be accepted through the mail (postmark determines the date). All residents will receive an envelope to mail payments to:

Tax Collector
Stillwater CSD
P.O. Box 14855
Albany, NY 12212

You can also pay by credit card or e-check online here. *Please note, there are fees associated with using this service, and they are paid by the taxpayer directly to the vendor.

Please keep in mind that tax bills should arrive at your home in early September. Thank you for your attention, understanding, and cooperation.

If you have any questions, please contact the district’s School Tax Collector, Louann Tetrault, at (518) 373-6176.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: When will I get my school tax bill?

A: Bills will be mailed out during the last week of August. If you don’t receive your bill by September 10, you may contact the school tax collector at (518) 373-6176.

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Q: When are my school taxes due?

A: School taxes are due, without penalty, by Sept. 30. From October 1-31, payments must include the 2 percent late penalty.

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Q: What if I am not able to pay my bill before the October 31 deadline?

A: Any bills that are not paid by October 31 will be turned over to the County Treasurer for collection. At that point, additional penalties will be imposed.

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STAR

STAR is New York State’s School Tax Relief Program that provides a partial property tax exemption from the school taxes to eligible homeowners. STAR is the New York State School Tax Relief Program. It exempts a portion of a home’s full value from school property tax for eligible homeowners. New Yorkers who own and live in their homes and meet certain income requirements can participate in the STAR program for their primary residence.

The STAR Program has two kinds of exemptions:

Basic STAR

This exemption is available for owner-occupied, primary residences, regardless of the owners’ ages, for those with household incomes below $500,000. The program works by exempting a portion of the full value of a home from school taxes. Each city or town has a different exemption amount. Homeowners only need to apply for Basic STAR once, and it remains in effect for that property each year. For many homeowners, STAR is applied directly to property tax bills. However, in 2016, the state began transitioning STAR to a credit that comes in the form of a check directly from the state. When people buy a new home (first-time or otherwise), they need to register with the State of New York or by calling (518) 457-2036.

Enhanced STAR

This exemption is available for the primary residences of people age 65 and older with yearly household incomes that do not exceed a level set by the state. Like Basic STAR, this program exempts a portion of the owner’s residence from school taxes, but the Enhanced STAR exemption is larger. Again, each city or town has a different exemption amount.

STAR is a state program, which school districts have no control. Homeowners must go through their town assessor’s office to apply for the exemptions.

Resources by New York State Dept of Taxation and Finance

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Budget Voting Information

On the third Tuesday of each May, residents from across New York State go to the polls to vote on the annual school district budget and to elect members of the Board of Education.

In early May, Stillwater residents can expect to receive in the mail a copy of the district’s newsletter that provides details about the budget that residents will vote on. If you do not receive a copy of the newsletter, please contact the Stillwater Communications Office to request that one be mailed to you. Budget details are also available on the district website and social media, and in the local newspapers.

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Voting Eligibility

You are eligible to vote if you are a United States citizen, 18 years or older, and a resident of the Stillwater Central School District for at least 30 days before the annual vote date. Residents wishing to register may do so at the school’s voter registration day or through the county Board of Elections.

Am I Registered?

Visit Am I Registered to determine if you are registered to vote on the budget and Board of Education in May.

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Polling Locations

Where to Vote

Visit Where to Vote to see the polling location.

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Absentee Ballots

Absentee ballots are available to registered residents who are unable to vote in person for reasons of illness or disability or who will be out of town on the date of the vote. Any qualified voter of the Stillwater Central School District may request an application for an absentee ballot by either:

1. Print and return the application to the District Clerk.
2. Email District Clerk, Renee Price.
   **Applications must be received by the District Clerk seven days before the election if the ballot is to be mailed to the voter, or the day before the election, if the ballot is to be delivered in person. All absentee ballots must be returned to the District Clerk by 5 p.m. the day of the vote (May 20, 2025).

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Early Mail Ballots

Any qualified voter of the Stillwater Central School District may request an application for an Early Mail Ballot by either:

1. Print and return the application to the District Clerk.
2. Email District Clerk, Renee Price.

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