Developing the annual school budget proposal is a year-round process that involves the Watervliet Board of Education, as well as district and school leaders.
On the third Tuesday of each May, that process culminates when residents go to the polls to vote on a school budget proposal for the following year and to elect Board of Education members.
2025-26 School Budget Vote
The 2025-26 School Budget Vote and Board of Education Election will be held on Tuesday, May 20, 2025. Polls will be open from 11 a.m. – 8 p.m. Please mark your calendars and be sure to vote!
Proposed 2025-26 Budget Presentations/Workshops
- March 11, 6 p.m. – State Budget Overview with NYS Assembly Member John McDonald at BOE Meeting — View Presentation #1 (via Google Drive)
- March 25, 6 p.m. – Community Budget Workshop, WJSHS Conference Room — View Presentation #2 (via Google Drive)
- April 2, 6 p.m. – Budget Workshop at PTA Meeting — View Presentation #3 (via Google Drive)
- April 8, 6 p.m. – Final Budget Presentation — View Presentation #4 (via Google Drive)
- April 23, 6 p.m. – Special BOE Meeting for BOCES Budget Vote
- May 6, 6 p.m. – Public Budget Hearing
- May 20, 11 a.m. – 8 p.m. – Budget Vote and BOE Election
* NEW * Watervliet Public Library proposition to appear on May 20 ballot
City residents will see a separate proposition to increase the library tax for the Watervliet Public Library on the May 20 school budget ballot. Read more about the proposition
Voter Information
If you are looking for information on absentee ballots, polling locations and voter registration, please visit the Voter Information page.
Budget Overview
Budget Statement (2024-25)
The annual budget statement includes the following components:
- 2024-25 Budget Notice;
- 3-Part Budget;
- 2024-25 Budget;
- Property Tax Report Card;
- Exemption Reports for the City of Watervliet & Town of Colonie;
- Administrative Compensation Disclosure;
- School Accountability Summary and School District Report Card.
Budget Archive
2024-25 School Budget at a Glance
- Budget Total: $41,394,000
- Spending Increase: $3.6 million (or 9.6%)
- Tax Levy Increase: 1.89%
2023-24 School Budget at a Glance
- Budget Total: $37,759,000
- Spending Increase: 11.9 percent (or $4 million)
- Tax Levy Increase: 2.13 percent
2022-23 School Budget at a Glance
- Budget Total: $33,736,000
- Spending Increase: 10.7 percent (or $3.27 million)
- Tax Levy Increase: 2.04 percent
View the WCSD State Foundation Aid Funding Plan
2021-22 School Budget at a Glance
- Budget total: $30,463,000
- Spending Increase: 6.7 percent (or $1.9 million)
- Tax Levy Increase: 0.5 percent
2020-21 School Budget at a Glance
- Budget total: $28,560,000
- Spending Increase: 1.30 percent
- Tax Levy Increase: 1.98 percent
Fundamentals of Budget Development
Learn the ABCs of school budget development in less than 3 minutes by watching the video clip below: