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The annual school budget vote – always on the third Tuesday in May for public school districts throughout New York – is first and foremost a critical checkpoint in our planning for the next school year and beyond. 

Does the community agree with our budgeting decisions for the year ahead, as well as other fiscal matters that often accompany the spending plan on the ballot? Like our Proposition 2 and Proposition 3 proposals this year. 

The annual budget vote also is a litmus test for us, a chance to find out how you think we’re doing. Not if we’re perfect, or even close to it – there is always room for improvement and we strive for that continuously. 

But do you think we’re making the right decisions and choices in alignment with our vision, mission and goals, and in service to our students and families. 

Here in Albany, we believe wholeheartedly that we don’t pass our budget with our work in April and May. We do the heaviest lifting from September through March, in all of the work our teachers and staff do every day. 

Because if we get to April and it’s clear that you’re not satisfied with our choices, we know there are many challenges ahead, whether or not the budget passes in May.

That’s why it was so heartening this past Tuesday to see the final budget vote tally reach the 80% approval threshold for the fourth year in a row. There aren’t a lot of school districts that ever get to 80% approval, and fewer still that achieve that so consistently. 

That tells us you believe in the work we are doing, the progress we are making and the direction we are going. We are grateful for that vote of support.

We are grateful that you have approved our budget for 2026-27, as well as our proposals to expand elementary transportation and complete $98 million in facilities work across all of our buildings. 

We are grateful that you see value for our community and a return on your investment in our schools through the gains we are making:

• Albany High School’s highest non-COVID graduation rate (76%) since the state starting its current accountability system two decades ago
• A three-fold increase in enrollment in Albany High’s Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs, thanks to your investment in our amazing new facilities
• A 98% graduation rate last year for Albany High students who completed a full three-year CTE pathway
• A 50% increase in proficiency for Albany High students on Advanced Placement exams from 2019-25, and an increase of 200 students enrolled in AP classes this year over last
• The largest National Honor Society induction class in Albany High history this spring
• 33% gains in proficiency in ELA and math for our students in grades 3-8 from 2019-25
• 14 of 16 schools in good standing academically – by far our most ever
• A reduction in chronic absenteeism to pre-pandemic levels district-wide, and an increase in daily attendance

Our budget supports all of that, and so much more. You support all of that, and we are grateful that you do.

It is easy, when we are faced with challenges, to see the glass as half empty. It can be a challenge to call it half-full.

Your strong support on the third Tuesday in May once again this year tells us you see the glass as half-full when it comes to your city’s public schools. That you take pride in what is going well or improving, and believe we are doing the right work in the areas that aren’t yet where we need them to be.

That’s an important message for our entire community of educators and support staff. 

Thank you, Albany!

Sincerely,

 

 

 

 

Joseph Hochreiter
Superintendent