District Presents Preliminary School Budget for 2019-20

East Greenbush Central School District presented its preliminary school budget for 2019-20 at Wednesday evening’s Board of Education meeting in the Genet Elementary School Auditorium. The preliminary budget estimate is $98,642,402, an increase of $4,376,010 or 4.64%.

The preliminary budget maintains all current programs and services, class size averages, and provides increased support for students including those who require academic intervention and social emotional support. However, because of limited state funding, there is a $4,965,995 budget gap. Under the Governor’s proposed budget, East Greenbush Central School District would receive the minimum state aid increase of $42,216 or 0.25%.

To balance the budget, the district has proposed a preliminary tax levy increase of 8.95%. This figure is expected to change as legislators negotiate the state budget ahead of the new fiscal year on April 1 and district officials receive updated information regarding its projected costs for next year.

Superintendent Jeff Simons indicated that it is likely the final proposed budget will be lowered to remain within the allowable tax levy limit of 5.83%.

The District has averaged a 1.73% tax levy increase over the last six years.

In addition to the District’s school budget, voters will decide on school bus propositions and select three seats for the Board of Education on this year’s ballot.

Residents can learn more about the preliminary budget at the following public meetings or by visiting the Budget/Tax section of the website.