Thank you voters!

Watervliet City School District residents Tuesday approved the $46,319,000 budget for the 2026-27 school year by a margin of 65%, or 138 yes votes to 72 no votes.

Two elected to school board

Victoria Donnelly was re-elected to the Board of Education with 149 votes. She will serve her second three-year term on the school board beginning July 1, 2026.

Laurence Truscello was elected to his first three-year term on the Board of Education with 81 votes. His term also begins on July 1.

Candidates Shane Sportman and Adam Wass received 72 votes and 69 votes, respectively.

More about the budget

The 2026-27 budget increases overall spending by $2.2 million, or 5.07 percent, compared to the current year’s budget. It maintains all academic programs and instructional services, while providing additional resources and opportunities for students.

The budget yields a tax levy increase of 1.47 percent, which is below the district’s tax levy limit under New York’s tax “cap” law. As such, a simple majority of voters was needed to approve the budget.