Capital Project

The East Greenbush CSD has proposed a $116 million capital project that, if approved by voters, would improve facilities and grounds at all seven schools at no additional cost to the local taxpayer. The proposed capital project will be a proposition on the School Budget Vote and Board Election ballot scheduled for Tuesday, May 21, 2024.

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2023-24 School Budget Maintains Programs and Stays Well Below Tax Cap; Goes to Vote on May 16

Apr 26, 2023 | Bell Top, Budget, Columbia, District, Genet, Goff, Green Meadow, Pre-K, Red Mill, Sutherland

The East Greenbush Central School District has proposed a school budget for 2023-24 that maintains all programs and services with a 0.5% tax levy increase. The proposed budget, totaling $108,812,882, which was adopted by the Board of Education at Tuesday evening’s public meeting, would include staffing additions, technology upgrades, facility improvements and funding to continue the Pre-K Program. 

Residents will vote on the proposed school budget on Tuesday, May 16.

Other items on the ballot include the purchase of eight replacement school buses from the Bus Purchase Reserve Fund with no impact to taxpayers and the election of three individuals to serve on the Board of Education.

“The proposed budget ensures continued academic and social emotional support for all students, expands extracurricular offerings and ensures continued affordability for our taxpayers.”

The district’s proposed tax levy increase of one half of one percent (.5%) means that many residents may not see an increase in their tax bills due to the growing tax base throughout the school district.

“We are pleased to be able to use the additional state aid projected to be received by the district to enhance our services to students while keeping the tax levy increase far below the allowable limit of 3.96%,” Mr. Simons said.

What’s On the Ballot

Proposition 1: School Budget of $108,812,882 with 0.5% Tax Levy Increase

  • Adds three classroom sections at the K-5 level to lower class sizes, three teachers at middle school to implement team-teaching model and lower class sizes, an assistant principal at Goff, a reading teacher at Columbia, and increased orchestra instruction at the elementary schools
  • Technology investments include network WiFi expansion, power supply support and chromebook purchases
  • Facility improvements include playground repairs, purchase of equipment for new Physical Education: Fit for Life class, and establishment of Girls’ Wrestling team
  • Reserves monies to address further class size reduction, student mental health and school safety once further reviews are completed by the district

Proposition 2: Authorize $965,386 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 69.5% 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

Board of Education Election

  • There are three open seats on the Board of Education, each with three year terms
  • Michael Buono, Mark Mann, Jesse Temple and Andy Garrigan are candidates on this year’s ballot
  • A Meet the Candidates Night has been scheduled for Wednesday, May 10 at 7:00 p.m. in the Columbia High School Library

Budget Vote and Board Election Resources

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

  • Public Hearing – Wednesday, May 3, 7:00 p.m., Columbia High School Library
  • PTO Budget Presentation (PK-12) – Thursday, May 4, 6:30 p.m., Virtual
  • Town of East Greenbush Presentation – Wednesday, May 10, 6:00 p.m., East Greenbush Town Hall

Polling Places

Polls will be open to eligible voters on Tuesday, May 16, 2023 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 for more information or 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.