East Greenbush Central School District residents passed a $99,778,012 budget for the 2020-21 school year and approved the purchase of eight school buses from the Bus Purchase Reserve Fund during this year’s Budget Vote and Board Election. A record turnout of 7,300 ballots were returned through the all mail-in voting process that was established by New York State due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The budget includes a tax levy increase of 1.5%, which is below the New York State tax cap of 1.62% that applies to East Greenbush. It is the lowest tax levy increase in the past five years.
“The district is grateful for the outpouring of community support for our students and staff reflected in this overwhelmingly positive budget result,” said Superintendent Jeff Simons. “Three out of four voters affirmed the leadership of our board and the direction and quality of the education provided by our faculty and staff through this unique budget vote! Such a community commitment to education will help our district overcome the most recent challenges presented by the COVID-19 situation and continue to provide innovative, progressive and safe schools during uncertain times.”
The new school buses, which will replace older buses according to the district’s bus fleet management plan, will be purchased from the district’s Bus Purchase Reserve Fund with no impact to taxpayers. The district will be reimbursed for approximately 65.2% of the total school bus purchase.
In addition to the budget and bus purchase approval, Michael Buono, Kathleen Curtin and Mark Mann were re-elected to three year terms on the Board of Education.
“I want to thank the community for its ongoing support for our school district as demonstrated in this year’s budget vote,” said Mr. Buono. “The board recognizes the very difficult circumstances we all face due to the pandemic and appreciates how we have come together as a district to support one another. The mail-in ballot process was challenging and we want to thank everyone for their patience, as well as all the work that went into making sure it was done fairly and with transparency. We will continue to work hard to do what is best for our students, families, staff and community members as we prepare and plan for the future of our district.”
Results:
Proposition #1: School Budget for 2020-21
Yes: 5,349
No: 1,807
Proposition #2: School Buses from Reserve Fund
Yes: 5,471
No: 1,646
Board of Education Election
All three candidates have been elected to three-year terms on the Board of Education (July 1, 2020 – June 30, 2023)
Michael Buono: 5,125
Kathleen Curtin: 5,291
Mark Mann: 5,291
Write-In: 156