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School Board Election Information

The Board of Education is comprised of nine volunteer members from the community who are elected by District voters for three-year terms. Public meetings are held twice monthly. The Board, which is sensitive to community needs, aspirations and available resources, encourages community participation and support for the schools.

Members of the East Greenbush Central School District Board of Education are elected by voters to establish policy and set direction for the administration of the school district. New York State Education Law does not limit the number of terms of office a member may serve. Board members receive no salaries or other compensation.

Learn more about the school board experience, including qualifications, desired traits and how to run a campaign.

About our School District

DISTRICT PHILOSOPHY

The East Greenbush Central School District’s Board of Education has established that it is the mission of the district “To make available to all students, a safe learning environment that affords academic excellence in all its programs; provide dedicated and supportive staff; and work in partnership with family and the community with the intent to set up all students for success with their future endeavors.”

Board of Education Vision, Goals and Objectives (2023-24)

DISTRICT OVERVIEW

Approximately 4,100 pupils are enrolled in the seven schools within our award-winning district. We have five Kindergarten to fifth grade neighborhood elementary schools: Bell Top, Donald P. Sutherland, Genet, Green Meadow, and Red Mill. Our students in grade six, seven, and eight attend Goff Middle School, and our high school students attend Columbia High School. We also serve 97 students in Pre-K.

Running for School Board

Each spring, the East Greenbush Central School District seeks residents from the community to run for the school board. In the May 2024 election, there will be three open seats. Interested candidates must pickup a Nominating Petition from the District Clerk, 29 Englewood Ave., East Greenbush, NY 12061 beginning on March 27, 2024. The deadline to return petitions is Monday, April 22, 2024 at 5:00 p.m.

Q: What are the requirements for Board candidates?
A: A candidate for the Board of Education must be:

  • able to read and write
  • age 18 or older
  • a resident of the East Greenbush Central School District for a continuous and uninterrupted period of at least one year
  • United States citizen

Q: What qualities make a good school board member?
A: The New York State School Board Association (NYSSBA) defines the qualities of a good board member as an:

  • Effective Communicator
  • Consensus Builder
  • Community Participant
  • Decision Maker
  • Information Processor
  • Leader
  • Team Player
IMPORTANT DATES FOR SCHOOL BOARD CANDIDATES

(Terms beginning July 1, 2024)

March 25, 2024 Board candidate petition packets available
April 22, 2024 Nomination petitions due back to District Clerk by 5:00 p.m. Must have at least 25 signatures from district residents. Board candidate campaign expenditure statements due.
April 23, 2024 Candidates draw for ballot position at 8:00 a.m. at Central Administration, 29 Englewood Ave., East Greenbush, NY 12061
May 15, 2024 Meet the Candidates Night (if needed)
May 16, 2024 Board candidate campaign expenditure statements due
May 21, 2024 Election Day for Board Candidates
June 10, 2024 Board candidate campaign expenditure statements due
*Campaign expenditure statements must be filed with the Office of the District Clerk and the NYS Commissioner of Education if the expenditures are over $500. If the expenses are under $500, the campaign expenditure statement need only be filed with the District Clerk

Q: Are there any reporting requirements for candidates?
A: New York State Education Law requires that Board candidates file three campaign expenditure statements. If the campaign expenditures are over $500 the statement must be filed with the District Clerk and the NYS Commissioner of Education. If the expenses are under $500 the campaign expenditure statement need only be filed with the District Clerk. A preliminary campaign expenditure statement must be filed at least thirty days before the election, a second statement must be filed on or before the fifth day preceding the election and a final statement must be filed within twenty days after the election.

Q: What do I need to do as a School Board Member?
A: The major responsibilities of a Board member include:

  • Setting the District’s direction by creating annual goals and developing strategies to achieve those goals. Board members have an annual goal setting meeting in July
  • Aligning strategies, resources, policies, programs, and processes with district goals
  • Using comprehensive data, thorough deliberation, and open communication to assess the progress toward achieving the district goals
  • Striving to improve by accentuating the positive, and correcting the negative

For additional information about the responsibilities of a Board member visit the NYSSBA website.

Q: What guidelines does the Board of Education follow?
A: Board of Education establishes policies which are the guidelines that provide guidance and direction to school employees regarding many matters ranging from students to finance. There are two basic types of policies — those required by law and others developed as local policies of the Board of Education.

The policies of the Board of Education are reviewed periodically and some policies are required by New York State law to be reviewed annually. The Board of Education typically creates a Board member policy review committee that meets outside of regular Board meetings to review and develop recommended modifications to existing policies or the creation of new policies.

Information about being a board member is also provided in these Board policies:

2120 School Board Elections
2120.1 Candidates and Campaigning
2121 Board Member Qualifications
2160 School District Officer & Employee Ethics
2165 School Board Member Code of Conduct
2250 Board Committees
2310 Regular Meetings
2320 Special Meetings

View all Board of Education Policies.

Q: What are the functions of the Board of Education?
A: The primary functions of school Board members include:

  • Request regular reports on student progress and needs, based on a variety of assessments to evaluate the quality and equity of education in the district, including instruction, services, and facilities
  • Monitor and evaluate the Superintendent’s performance
  • Monitor and evaluate the Board’s performance
  • Monitor and evaluate progress toward the achievement of district long- and short-term goals and ensure that board policies and resources effectively support the district vision
  • Provide appropriate staff and board training opportunities
  • Fulfill governance responsibilities that are required by state and federal law

Q: When are Board Meetings?
A: Board Meetings are usually the second and fourth Wednesdays of each month except as scheduled by the Board. A meeting schedule is set forth by the Board at their organizational meeting in July.

Q: What does a Board member have to do to prepare for Board meetings?
A: Board members receive a “Board packet” before each Board meeting. The Board packet includes the agenda for the meeting and any attachments associated with each planned Board action. It is important to preview the materials in preparation for each meeting.

Q: What is the role of the Superintendent of Schools?
A: The Board of Education is the legislative body that sets the policies and goals of the district. The Superintendent is chosen by the Board to see to the day to day management of the school district. The Superintendent is the Chief Executive Officer and works closely with the Board in implementing and supporting Board policy and goals.

Q: Are there any trainings that are required of Board members?
A: All newly elected Board members are required to participate in two six-hour training workshops:  Fiscal Responsibility and Board Member Governance.

Q: How long does an elected Board member serve?
A: A term of office for a Board member is three years beginning July 1 and ending June 30. Board members run at-large, meaning Board members represent the entire District, not a specific geographic location. There are typically three seats available at each election. The candidates that receive the highest votes earn the open seats available during each election cycle.

Q: What are some of the other duties of a Board member?
A: Board of Education members are expected to participate in one or more subcommittees of the board which meet periodically throughout the year. If possible, Board members are encouraged to attend PTO meetings and school activities and events.

Q: Is the East Greenbush Board of Education associated with any local or state organizations?
A: The East Greenbush School Board is a member of the New York State School Board Association (NYSSBA). Through NYSBBA Board members take two mandatory six hour trainings on fiscal oversight and board governance and other periodic workshops as needed.  Board members also attend NYSSBA’s annual state conference.

Updated February 2024