The information below regarding the 2026-27 budget vote, voter information, and related elections will be updated and archived soon.
Thank you for your patience as we continue to update the website.
Budget Basics
School budgets can be confusing. We created a Budget 101 section to help explain how school budgets work, define common budget terms, and share short videos that walk through the process. You can visit Budget 101 here.
Budget Revote!
Walter B. Howard Elementary School
June 16, 2026 12pm-8pm
Absentee Ballots are Available (See Details Below)
Who Can Vote?
Anyone over the age of 18 living in New Lebanon for at least 30 days can vote.
– You do NOT need a child in school
– You do NOT need to own property – renters can vote too!
You can vote in-person OR via absentee ballot
– Absentee ballots must be received by the district before 5pm on June 16
– An Absentee Ballot application and further absentee voter details can be found HERE
Unregistered voters who are 18+ and living in the district may still be eligible to vote on June 16. We recommend contacting your local county’s Board of Elections for info on that process, before coming to vote.
– General information on voter registration is available HERE
– Columbia County Board of Elections: (518) 828-3115
– Rensselaer County Board of Elections: 518-270-2990
Why a Revote?
On May 19, 2026 the proposed budget received 336 votes in favor and 235 against. While the majority of voters (58.8%) did vote in favor of passing the proposed budget, a 60% supermajority vote was required. The New Lebanon Board of Education has decided to put the proposal up for a revote and they ask voters to come out to participate in the process once again, on June 16.
Other May 19 Outcomes
- The bus purchase proposition passed with a vote of 373 in favor to 197 against.
- Two school board members were reelected. Congratulations to Sharon Powers (410 votes) and Alex Polacinski (431 votes).
Click HERE to Review
the 2026-2027 (Initial) Budget Notice
This newsletter document (linked above) was sent to all district taxpayers, ahead of the May 19 school budget vote. It includes a letter from Interim Superintendent Christopher M. Harper, a detailed breakdown of the proposed budget and expectations for taxpayers, etc. An additional document will be sent to taxpayers, ahead of the June 16 revote.
More 2026–27 Budget Information
The Board of Education begins discussing budget for the following school year every January, during monthly meetings. As materials become available, they are added below:
Most Recent Presentation & Summary:
26-27 Budget Presentation REVOTE – 6.08.26
The graphic above breaks down average costs to taxpayers, with the proposed budget for the 2026-27 school year
Previous Presentations & Summaries:
26-27 Budget Presentation #1 – 1.14.26*
Summary of Budget Presentation #1
26-27 Budget Presentation #2 – 2.11.26*
Summary of Budget Presentation #2
26-27 Budget Presentation #3 – 3.11.26*
Summary of Budget Presentation #3
26-27 Budget Presentation #4 – 4.1.26*
Summary of Budget Presentation #4
26-27 Budget Presentation #5 – 4.21.26*
Summary of Budget Presentation #5
26-27 Budget Presentation #6 – 5.06.26*
Summary of Budget Presentation #6
2026-27 Budget Development Timeline
The following information is a ~monthly overview, as planned at the start of the year.
January: Operations and Maintenance & Food Service
February: Instructional Budget
March: Preliminary Budget
April Meeting 1: Budget Workshop (if needed)
April Meeting 2: Budget Adoption
May: Budget Hearing
May 19, 2026: Budget Vote
*Additional hearings, workshops, a revote etc. may be added (if May 19 budget does not pass)
2026-2027 New York State Executive Budget Proposal
New York State released the Executive Budget Proposal for 2026-2027. Under this proposal, our district is projected to receive ONLY a $26,431 increase in Foundation Aid from the state, which is a 1.00% increase over the current year.
That means the Foundation Aid we receive would increase from $2,643,190 to $2,669,621; $2,669,621 – $2,643,190 = $26,431.
While we appreciate any increase in state support, this proposal reflects a very modest change in funding for our district.
Additional information on the Executive Budget can be found in the graphs below. It is best viewed on a desktop/laptop computer.
2026-27 Budget Appropriation
A significant portion of the budget is allocated to salaries and benefits. A detailed report on how all funds will be spent in the 2026-27 school year is shown in the document below:
Budgeting Appropriation Status Report For 2026-2027 Budget (Detail)
Further documentation on salary disclosures can be found here: School Administrator Salary Disclosure Form
It is important to note that a small amount of revenue is actually generated from each percentage increase in the tax levy. The district receives roughly $100,000 for every 1% increased.
Information on Tax Exemptions
Columbia County Exemption Report
Rensselear County Exemption Report
More 2026-27 Financial Information