The East Greenbush Central School District Board of Education adopted the proposed school budget for 2021-22 at Wednesday’s public meeting. It will be voted on by district residents on Tuesday, May 18.
The proposed budget, which has been updated since the New York State budget was approved earlier this month, totals $103,535,117 and requires a simple majority to pass the budget. The proposed tax levy increase is 0.0%.
The district was able to avoid any tax levy increase in the proposed budget due to an increase in State and Federal Aid and through deductions in some district expenses.
“Due to sufficient state aid, during this difficult period, the district is pleased to offer a budget to our community that preserves all programs for students, ensures we have the resources to fully reopen in the Fall and offers no increase to the tax levy for the 2021-22 school year,” said Superintendent Jeff Simons.
The proposed budget maintains all current programs and includes funding for a new Summer School Program, additional academic intervention support services and a new system for online student registration.
“This budget protects and advances our students and provides efficiency for our taxpayers,” said Mr. Simons. “The additional federal monies will be deployed carefully to address student academic needs and mental health concerns accelerating the progress of our students who’ve been impacted by COVID-19. Strategically we will deploy these resources in ways which maintain our trajectory of fiscal stability.”
In addition to the school budget, voters will decide on the purchase of eight new school buses out of the Bus Purchase Reserve Fund and elect four Board of Education members.
As part of the district’s bus fleet management plan, it plans to trade-in eight older school buses and replace them with new buses that have better fuel efficiency, lower emissions, improved safety features and lower costs for maintenance and repairs. All of the buses would be purchased from the district’s Bus Purchase Reserve Fund with no impact to taxpayers. The district would be reimbursed for approximately 66.6% of the total school bus purchase.
The Bus Purchase Reserve Fund acts like a savings account, allowing the district to store money for the sole purpose of purchasing buses. It also helps the district avoid the costs that come with borrowing.
Residents can learn more about the proposed budget by watching the public hearing on Tuesday, May 4 at 7:00 p.m. The event will be live streamed.
What’s On the Budget Vote and Board Election Ballot
- Proposition 1: School Budget of $103,535,117 with 0.0% Tax Levy Increase
- Proposition 2: Authorize $757,670 from Bus Purchase Reserve Fund for Eight Buses
- Election of Four members to the Board of Education
Budget Vote and Board Election Resources
- 2021-22 Proposed Budget Presentation
- Budget Timeline
- Annual Information on Budget Vote and Board Election
Polling Information
Polls will be open to eligible voters on Tuesday, May 18, 2021 from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. The school district is divided into election zones as follows:
- Bell Top – Residents of the Town of North Greenbush
- Goff – Residents of the Town of East Greenbush
- Donald P. Sutherland – Residents of the Towns of Sand Lake or Chatham or Residents with a Nassau mailing address
- Green Meadow – Residents of the Town of Schodack who do not have a Nassau mailing address
You may also contact the Business Office at 518-207-2535 to find your polling place.
Absentee Ballots
Qualified district residents who are unable to go to the polls (e.g., illness, COVID-19 risk, out of town for business or vacation) may cast their votes by absentee ballot. An application is required first and may be obtained by calling the District Office at 518-207-2535.
- Absentee Ballot Application (due by May 11, 2021 if received by mail or Monday, May 17, 2021 if received in person at the District Office)
- Military Absentee Ballot Application (due by April 22, 2021)