NISKAYUNA — Niskayuna taxpayers could see a total school tax levy increase of just under 3.5 percent for 2008-09, school officials said Monday.

The superintendent’s budget was presented to the school board, with a vote expected as early as next week. Once the budget is accepted, it begins the public hearing and trimming process.

Expenditures would increase 3.88 percent under the plan, for a budget of $65,682,182. Add new debt related to the building project and the total budget would be $70,086,420. The new debt is expected to be covered by state aid. That would leave an increase to the tax levy at 3.48 percent, for a total of $45.46 million.

The impact on individual taxpayers, however, remains unclear. The town is in the midst of a property revaluation, to be completed and available by the time the school fiscal year begins in July.

But, for now, officials said, calculating a tax rate for individual homes is difficult.

Superintendent Kevin Baughman acknowledged current economic concerns.

“I believe that this budget reflects the realization of the economic times,” he told the board. Baughman noted that the tax levy increase is the lowest in five years. It is also the fourth straight year where the increase is lower than the previous year. The recommended 3.48 percent increase follows a 4.7 percent total tax levy increase last year. The tax levy is the total tax collected in the district under the year’s budget.

In personnel, the budget adds 3.6 instructional staff, half a maintenance position and one full administrative post, officials said. One health educator would be added for drug and alcohol abuse prevention for grades five to nine. A position and a half in elementary school teachers would be added to reflect an increase of 30 students, as well as new class-size guidelines.

The coming school budget year will be the first to include the town’s new property tax assessment figures. Town and county budgets will include them for the 2009 spending plans.

Assistant Superintendent for Business Matthew Bourgeois said that creates problems when comparing year-to-year individual increases. The property tax assessment rolls aren’t complete yet.

But, strictly for comparison purposes, and using the old property valuation figures, Bourgeois said the rate would increase from $28.80 per $1,000 of assessed value to $29.80. However, he emphasized those numbers are under the old system.

The budget public hearing is scheduled for May 6, with the vote May 20.