PK-12 Half Day - Friday, April 26

All East Greenbush CSD schools will have a half day on Friday, April 26 due to professional development. Dismissal Times: Columbia (10:03 a.m.), Goff (10:40 a.m.), Pre-K at DPS/Genet/Green Meadow/Red Mill (10:45 a.m.), Genet (11:15 a.m.), Bell Top (11:30 a.m.), DPS (11:30 a.m.), Green Meadow (11:30 a.m.), Red Mill (11:30 a.m.).

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Board of Education Adopts Proposed Budget with No Tax Levy Increase; Goes to Vote on May 17

Apr 14, 2022 | Bell Top, Budget, Columbia, District, Genet, Goff, Green Meadow, Red Mill, Sutherland, Transportation

The East Greenbush Central School District has proposed a school budget for 2022-23 that maintains all programs and services with no tax increase for the second year in a row. The proposed budget, totaling $104,840,470, was adopted by the Board of Education at Tuesday evening’s public meeting.

Residents will vote on the proposed school budget on Tuesday, May 17.

Other propositions on the ballot include the purchase of eight replacement school buses from the Bus Purchase Reserve Fund with no impact to taxpayers and the creation of a new Capital Reserve Fund. Voters will also select three individuals for the Board of Education.

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.

“We are pleased to offer the community a budget that supports continued academic and co-curricular success for our students with no increase to the tax levy,” said Superintendent Jeff Simons. “Additional proposals, which will be included on the ballot, include use of the transportation reserve and the establishment of a capital reserve which reduces local taxpayer costs associated with maintaining our bus fleets and making necessary repairs and renovations to our school buildings.”

What’s On the Ballot

  • Proposition 1: School Budget of $104,840,470 with 0.0% Tax Levy Increase
    • Maintains all current programs and services
    • Adds K-2 Special Education Teacher, ENL Teacher, Library Media Specialist and increased FTE Social Studies Teacher at Goff
    • New purchases of textbooks and playground equipment
  • Proposition 2: Authorize $752,468 from Bus Purchase Reserve Fund for Eight Buses
    • Replace eight older buses with new buses that have better fuel efficiency, lower emissions, improved safety features and lower costs for maintenance and repairs
    • Purchased from the district’s Bus Purchase Reserve Fund with no impact to taxpayers
    • Reimbursed for approximately 67.9% of the total purchase with those funds going back into the Bus Purchase Reserve Fund
    • Bus Purchase Reserve Fund acts like a savings account, allowing the district to store money for the sole purpose of purchasing buses and avoiding the costs that come with borrowing
  • Proposition 3: Creation of New Capital Reserve Fund
    • Used to defray the cost of construction, repairs and equipping of school buildings and facilities
    • Limited to $5,000,000 over a term of 10 years
    • Requires Board of Education approval and any expenditures of the Reserve Fund requires voter approval
  • Election of Three Members to the Board of Education

Budget Vote and Board Election Resources

Upcoming Budget Meetings
Residents can learn more about the proposed budget at one of the following public meetings.

  • Budget Meeting (Columbia/Goff) – Tuesday, May 3, 7 p.m., Virtual
  • Budget Meeting (Elementary Schools) – Thursday, May 5, 6:30 p.m., Virtual
  • Public Hearing – Wednesday, May 4, 7 p.m., Columbia High School Library

Voting Information

Polls will be open to eligible voters on Tuesday, May 17, 2022 from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. The school district is divided into election zones as follows:

  1. Bell Top – Residents of the Town of North Greenbush
  2. Goff – Residents of the Town of East Greenbush
  3. Donald P. Sutherland – Residents of the Towns of Sand Lake or Chatham or Residents with a Nassau mailing address
  4. 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, 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.