Community budget hearing to be held at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, May 5 at JHS
The GJSD Board of Education adopted the proposed budget for the 2026–2027 school year at its meeting on Thursday, April 23. Community members are invited to a budget hearing at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, May 5, in the Large Group Instructional Space (LGI) at Johnstown High School. The District will also host a voter registration event that day from 2:30 – 6:30 p.m. in the District Office.
The April 23 board meeting was livestreamed and is available to watch on demand on the District’s YouTube channel. The budget presentation begins at the 38:30 mark. The budget presentation slides are available here and are also included in the meeting agenda posted on BoardDocs.
Proposed $47,291,679 spending plan enhances robust programming slate
On Tuesday, May 19, residents of the Greater Johnstown School District (GJSD) will vote on a proposed $47,291,679 spending plan for the 2026-2027 school year. The proposal includes a 3.49% ($440,655) tax levy increase—the sixth consecutive year the levy has remained at or below the cap, requiring a simple majority for approval. Polls will be open from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. in the lobby of the Johnstown High School auditorium.
The proposed budget reflects a 4.73% ($2,134,862) spending increase from the current year, driven primarily by debt service for ongoing capital improvements to District facilities. These costs are largely offset by increased building aid generated from prior capital projects.
Just over 58% of the budget comes from state aid, with Foundation Aid as the largest share. GJSD is projected to receive a 1% increase in Foundation Aid ($175,855), which falls short of meeting the growing needs of the District and its students. To maintain a balanced budget, the District will utilize $5,041,076 from its fund balance and reserves.
“Strategic long-range planning, careful stewardship of resources, and a focused commitment to operational efficiencies have strengthened and stabilized the District’s financial position,” said Superintendent Alicia D. Koster.
“Our ability to sustain this progress depends on meaningful increases in state funding. Without it, our long-term financial plan will face increasing strain, especially as costs for non-discretionary items such as health insurance, contractual obligations and utilities continue to rise,” she added.
Despite these challenges, the spending plan prioritizes investments to expand opportunities and support all students. At JHS, a new dedicated Learning Center will provide tutoring, credit and grade recovery, peer mentoring, and additional academic support. A new district-wide Family Resource Center at Warren Street will offer educational resources and community-based services designed to help remove barriers to student success. The District continues to offer a wide range of high-quality opportunities that support growth and success for every student.
Through thoughtful planning and responsible resource management, GJSD is expanding its academic programs, extracurriculars, and student support to meet diverse interests and needs. These include drivers education, Unified Sports, an early career and technical education (CTE) program for ninth‑ and 10th‑grade students, continued development of the business program at JHS, and the addition of a Future Business Leaders of America chapter.
Students will benefit from expanded College in the High School opportunities, electives aligned to the Portrait of a Graduate at JHS and Knox Middle School, and the continued implementation of Conscious Discipline at the primary level. A renewed focus on STEAM, project‑based learning and agricultural education will continue across grades pre‑K through 12.
The District will also realize cost savings through attrition, as four retiring teachers’ positions will not be filled following a review of programmatic needs.
“I am proud of the program expansions in next year’s budget and equally proud of the fiscal efficiencies reflected,” Koster said. “With careful and deliberate attention to operational effectiveness supporting teaching and learning, the District continues to strategically align administrative responsibilities, instructional assignments, and support staff to advance its vision as a regional model of educational excellence for all students.”
As in previous years, the budget includes a $100,000 capital outlay project to be completed within the school year, allowing the District to receive full building aid the following year. This work will continue water infiltration remediation and classroom renovations on the ground floor of Knox.
In a separate proposition, voters will consider a “Small III Capital Project” not to exceed $2.5 million. The project will be funded entirely with unspent cash from recently completed capital projects and will have no tax impact. The scope includes replacing lighting towers and fixtures at Knox Field, along with continued ground-floor work at Knox. Pending approval from the New York State Education Department, work is expected to start this summer and conclude in the fall.
Also on the ballot, voters will elect two members to the District’s seven-member Board of Education. The terms of David D’Amore (current president) and Joyel Richardson will expire June 30, 2026. Newly elected board members will start their three-year terms on July 1, 2026. Nominating petitions are due back to the District on Wednesday, April 29, after which, candidates’ bios and pictures will be available here on the website.
BUDGET BOOK
Click here to view the complete 2026-2027 Budget Book.
VOTER REGISTRATION
Only qualified voters are able to participate in the community vote on May 19. You may vote if you:
- are at least 18 years old;
- are a U.S. Citizen;
- have been a resident of the Greater Johnstown School District for the past 30 days; and
- are a registered voter
Visit the Greater Johnstown SD Poll Place Finder website and choose “Am I Registered” to determine if you are currently registered to vote in the GJSD. The District will host a voter registration event on the day of the Budget Hearing, Tuesday, May 5 from 2:30 – 6:30 p.m. in the District Office.
ABSENTEE & EARLY MAIL BALLOTS
- Voters registered as permanently disabled with the county board of elections will automatically receive an absentee ballot.
- Any other qualified voter wishing to vote by absentee ballot or by early mail voting must first fill out an application with the district clerk.
- There are separate applications for early mail voting or absentee ballot, but the application process and deadlines are the same for both.
- Applications are available on the District website or by contacting the district clerk, Larraina Carpenter, at (518) 762-4611, ext. 3119.
- Completed ballots must be received by the District by mail or drop-off no later than 5 p.m. on May 19.
- Go to the “Voting Information” section of the “Budget and Finances” page of the District website for more information and specific deadlines.