School districts are starting to finalize their budgets that will be voted on next month.

The Albany City School District Board of Education approved its $342.4 million budget proposal on Tuesday. The plan includes a 0.9% tax increase.

Officials also say it strategically reduces staffing expenses through retirements and eliminating some vacant jobs.

They say despite this, staff-to-student ratios are expected to be the same or better, and that no employees will lose their jobs as part of this.

In East Greenbush, school board officials will be asking residents to consider a 4.8% tax increase, which is over the state tax cap and would require 60% support to pass.

Leaders there say they have a budget gap to fill due to increasing expenses, primarily from employee benefits and because revenue is not keeping pace.

Despite the proposed increase, officials say it would preserve academic and extracurricular programs, but it does include some staffing cuts and use of reserve funding.

Both votes are on May 20.