Kenneth C. Crowe II is reporting for the Times Union the Rensselaer Board of Education July 9, adopted a proposed $27.19 million budget for the 2020-21 school year. In so doing, the board eliminated funding for the district's interscholastic sports program. Officials are promising a campaign for community donations to cover the $219,000 needed to keep students competing athletically. Cutting the sports budget was part of a package of cuts totaling $524,400 that combined with taking more than $280,000 from the district's cash reserves, reduced the proposed tax levy increase from 19.5 percent to 9 percent. In June, Rensselaer district voters rejected the $27.71 million original spending proposal by an almost two-to-one margin. Superintendent Joseph Kardash said following the board budget decision, there is community interest in raising the funds to restore the sports program. That effort is being led by the Rensselaer Athletic Association and the alumni association. The district plans to tie the campaign into its educational theme of advocacy for the 2020-21 year. The amended budget proposal must be approved by a supermajority of 60 percent of all registered voters on July 28. Read the full story in the Times Union.