District overview
Where Saratoga Springs City Schools stand on money, governance and building projects
Saratoga Springs City School District serves the city of Saratoga Springs and parts of the towns of Greenfield, Wilton, Milton, Saratoga and Malta. About two-thirds of its 2026-27 budget comes from the property tax levy and about a quarter from New York State aid. A nine-member, unpaid Board of Education sets the budget, and residents vote on it and elect three board members every May. The board is chosen by voters, not appointed.
The 2026-27 levy is $107.6 million of a $166.1 million budget. It rose 3.85%, below the state tax cap, about $31 more per $100,000 of assessed value.
State aid is $40.6 million. The district says it is a 'formula' district that gets only the minimum 1% foundation aid increase, so growth in costs lands mostly on local taxes and savings.
The 2026-27 budget uses about $8.4 million of fund balance and $3.5 million moved to the capital fund. The district estimates its unassigned fund balance at 5.93%, down from 11%; the state limit is 4%.
On May 19, 2026 voters passed the budget 1,526 to 509 and a $2.4 million bus bond 1,529 to 375. The next budget vote and board election are May 18, 2027.
None of this means the district is in financial trouble: auditors gave a clean opinion on the 2024-25 statements. Their one finding was that unassigned savings were above the 4% state limit, a cushion the district has since been drawing down.
Up $6,696,830 (4.20%) from $159,398,849 in 2025-26.
Up 3.85% ($3,987,455).
24.47% of revenue; 2025-26 was $38,467,369.
Projected 5,691 in 2026-27 by the Capital District Regional Planning Commission; kindergarten was 380.
$166,095,679 divided by 5,717 students. This is total district spending including benefits, debt, transportation and transfers, not a classroom-only figure.
Down from 11%; the state limit is 4%. Reported to the board September 24, 2026.
Budgeted, not all filled; about 73-76% of the budget is salaries and benefits.
71 daily buses; nine runs contracted to an outside carrier.
Elected to three-year terms; three seats are on the ballot each May.
The district's official agenda and minutes site could not be retrieved; recordings and district posts are used instead.
A $129.7 million project for all eight school buildings and the transportation facility: secure entrances, roofs, classrooms, energy upgrades. Summer 2026 work finished at Geyser Road, Lake Avenue and the high school; more than $60 million of construction had been completed by February 2026.
About 63% state building aid, $7.5 million capital reserves, and $40.8 million of debt replacing expiring debt. The district says no new taxes are expected.
A $142.8 million project approved in May 2025: more classroom and bathroom renovations, roofs and windows, accessibility, a renovated high school auditorium and athletic facilities. It runs alongside Legacy 2020.
State building aid, capital reserve funds ($7.5 million local contribution including $3.5 million in 2026-27) and existing debt scheduled to expire
A four-year plan with a new mission ('prepare all learners to thrive in a rapidly changing world'), core values and three priority areas, built from a fall 2025 survey of more than 1,200 people. It includes phasing in New York's Portrait of a Graduate and graduation changes (New York Inspires) beginning with the class entering ninth grade in 2029-30.
Operating budget; no separate funding line was identified
Voters approved a bond of about $2.4 million for buses and vehicles in May 2026. A fleet electrification study (about 75% covered by BOCES) is under way because state law will require zero-emission school buses, with a waiver available.
Bond about $2,413,000 with roughly 38-40% state transportation aid; study district share about $14,000
Students research and vote on how to spend $25,000. In March 2026, 1,645 students (nearly 90%) voted and chose a cafeteria grill; the program won a national school business award in October 2026.
$25,000 set aside in the school budget
Saratoga Springs City School District
The annual school budget vote and board election are scheduled for May 18, 2027. Seats with terms ending in 2027 are held by John Ellis (one-year term), Matthew Kopans and Dr. Connie Woytowich.
Official source · verified Oct 20, 2026
Saratoga Springs City School District · $166,095,679
Voters approved the 2026-27 budget 1,526 to 509. It raises the property tax levy 3.85%, within the state tax cap.
Official source · verified Oct 20, 2026
Saratoga Springs City School District · $2,413,000
Voters approved borrowing about $2.4 million to replace aging school buses and vehicles. State aid is expected to cover roughly 40% of the cost.
Official source · verified Oct 20, 2026
Saratoga Springs City School District
Three seats on the nine-member board were filled for three-year terms starting July 1, 2026.
Official source · verified Oct 20, 2026
Saratoga Springs City School District · $142,800,000
Voters approved a $142.8 million capital project for all eight school buildings. The district says no new taxes are expected because of state aid, reserves and expiring debt.
Official source · verified Oct 20, 2026
Figures marked verified come from the district's own budget booklet, notices, plans or board meeting recordings (auto-generated captions). Figures marked context are calculations. The district posts board agendas and minutes on BoardDocs, which could not be retrieved, so board decisions here come from meeting recordings and district announcements.
We read every agenda, packet, recording, and set of minutes, and write up the decisions that affect families — each one linked to the document it came from.
View alerts for this district