School Budget Vote and Board Election - May 21

The East Greenbush CSD has proposed a school budget for 2024-25 that maintains all programs and services with a 0.55% tax levy increase, which is within the NYS Property Tax Cap. Residents will also vote on a $116 million capital project that would improve school facilities and grounds across the district with no impact to local taxpayers, the replacement of eight school buses, which if approved by voters, will be fully paid for by the Bus Purchase Reserve Fund, and elect three individuals to the Board of Education.

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State Legislators Tout Historic Education Funding and its Positive Impact in East Greenbush Schools

Sep 14, 2023 | Bell Top, District, Genet, Green Meadow, Pre-K, Red Mill, Sutherland

Superintendent Jeff Simons speaking at a press conference about education funding at Red Mill Elementary School on Thursday morning.

Superintendent Jeff Simons speaking at a press conference about education funding at Red Mill Elementary School on Thursday morning.

Two New York State legislators – Assemblyman John McDonald and Senator Jake Ashby – visited Red Mill Elementary School on Thursday morning for a press conference to tout the historic education funding allocated to schools in the most recent state budget, and how that money is being put to good use in the East Greenbush Central School District.

The press conference was held at Red Mill because it is one of the pre-k sites in the district. 

Along with building and expanding on its pre-k program, the East Greenbush CSD has directed increased state aid from recent years to other early childhood education programs.

“Our schools have used additional funding made possible through the leadership of our local legislators to offer small class sizes and to provide early intervention reading and math instruction to students in kindergarten through third grade,” said Superintendent Jeff Simons. “Additional funding provided through the fully funding of Foundation Aid enabled our school district to expand pre-k for our four-year-old children and their families.”

The East Greenbush CSD began offering full day pre-k in 2021-22 for 36 students using new UPK State Aid and COVID federal funds. The district expanded the program last year to serve 61 students, and then, based on demand, added two additional classes for this school year for a total of 97 students.

District administrators including Mr. Simons are continuing to advocate for pre-k funding so that all families can be served.

Pre-k classes are located at Red Mill, Donald P. Sutherland, Genet and Green Meadow Elementary Schools, which are all operated by Questar III BOCES, and two community sites at Holy Spirit School and the Early Childhood Education Center.

Teachers and principals have seen the benefits of the pre-k program firsthand.

Red Mill Principal Helen Squillace discussing early childhood education at a press conference at Red Mill Elementary School on Thursday morning.

Red Mill Principal Helen Squillace discussing early childhood education at a press conference at Red Mill Elementary School on Thursday morning.

“The increased funding has made it possible for us to provide high quality Pre-K programming for our community, strengthening the social and emotional development and confidence of our youngest learners, and leveling the playing field as they enter kindergarten,” said Red Mill Principal Helen Squillace.

Mrs. Squillace also highlighted some of the early intervention investments that have helped students improve academically:

  • Implemented a new universal screener which is given to students three times a year. This monitors the growth of students in specific learning standards, identifies needs and provides a way to intervene quickly.
  • Hired a Multi-Tiered Systems Support (MTSS) Coordinator to provide support, resources and coordination of academic intervention and behavioral support for students.
  • Provided professional development for teachers in the science of reading.
  • Purchased new reading programs for students strengthening early literacy skills and increasing phonemic awareness, phonics skills and reading fluency.

Following the press conference, the state legislators and members of the media were invited into the Red Mill pre-k class, taught by Priscilla Halsey, and were able to see the students engaged in learning.

Assemblyman John McDonald visiting the pre-k classroom at Red Mill Elementary School.

Assemblyman John McDonald visiting the pre-k classroom at Red Mill Elementary School.

“There is nothing more critical than investing in the education of our state’s children,” Assemblyman McDonald said. “Each year myself and my Assembly colleagues work tirelessly to advocate for our schools to ensure that every child has access to a high-quality public education. The funding from this year’s enacted budget will be transformative to the schools within my Assembly District.”

The NYS Budget provided $34.5 billion to New York’s schools, the highest level of state aid in history.

The East Greenbush CSD received an increase of approximately $4 million in state aid for this year.

Also in attendance at the press conference on Thursday were ELA & MTSS Coordinator Lisa Mahar, Board of Education members Michael Buono and Jesse Temple, Questar Superintendent Dr. Gladys Cruz and Questar Early Childhood Education Principal Mike Burns.