On Tuesday, June 16, Schenectady residents approved the 2020-2021 Budget of $204.6 million with 3,203 in support of the proposal and 1,090 opposed.
Bernice Rivera, Princella Learry and Nohelani Etienne were elected to the Board of Education. Rivera is elected to her second term while Learry and Etienne will both be entering their first term, effective July 1. All will serve three year terms.
The budget represents a $2.2 million or 1.1 percent increase in spending. The tax levy remains unchanged.
While there are no employee layoffs in the budget, the district did implement a hiring freeze, reduce the workforce by not backfilling many positions, and is restructuring the Office of Curriculum and Instruction, which accounts for a reduction of six administrative positions.
As part of the plan, the Office of Educational Equity and Instructional Support will be created to replace the Office of Curriculum and Instruction. The department will be led by a District Director of Educational Equity and Instructional Support and include three assistant directors. The change supports the direction outlined in the Strategic Plan with an emphasis on ensuring equity.
The budget vote and election were held via absentee ballot as per an executive order issued by Governor Cuomo. Ballots were mailed to 33,000 qualified voters.
Budget details are available
here.