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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Columbia Named National Banner Unified Champion School

Oct 6, 2023 | Columbia, District

Columbia Unified Basketball TeamColumbia High School is one of eight high schools in New York State that was named a National Banner Unified Champion School by Special Olympics New York earlier this fall. The distinction marks the highest level of achievement for Unified Champion Schools in the nation, recognizing their leadership in creating an inclusive school community where all students are accepted and celebrated.

Columbia offers Unified Sports teams in basketball and bowling, which brings together students from regular education and special education classes to compete on the same teams. There is also an informal cheer team that supports the basketball team at games.

Student celebrates at Unified Bowling match

Columbia added a Unified Bowling team in 2015-16.

“Unified Sports creates a space for inclusion, friendships, physical activity and fun,” said Columbia Unified Basketball Coach Audra Di Bacco, who works as a school social worker. “We see student athletes in our program challenge negative perceptions of people with intellectual disabilities by highlighting their capabilities instead.”

Columbia formed the Unified Basketball team 10 years ago, and then added Bowling in 2015-16.

“It makes me happy because I’m out there making everybody happy, and I make everybody feel like they’re a part of the team,” said Patrick Tracey ’24, who plays for Columbia Unified Basketball.

Unified Sports are offered in partnership through Special Olympics New York and New York State Public High School Athletic Association.

“Special Olympics Unified Champion Banner Schools are ensuring all students enjoy an inclusive future,” said Special Olympics New York President & CEO Stacey Hengsterman. “It’s our privilege to honor these athletes, partners, coaches, administrators, and communities. They are the Unified Generation!”

Statewide, Special Olympics New York partners with more than 250 Unified Champion Schools and nearly 10,000 participating students.

Unified team with bronze medals

Columbia’s Unified Basketball team won a bronze medal at the 2018 Special Olympics USA Games in Seattle.

“The New York State Public High School Athletic Association is honored to partner with Special Olympics New York to provide incredible participation opportunities for students,” said Dr. Robert Zayas, NYSPHSAA Executive Director. “The Unified Sports program continues to positively impact students and their school communities throughout our state.”

The Columbia Unified Basketball team has served as a model for other schools locally, and five years ago, the team won a bronze medal at the 2018 Special Olympics USA Games in Seattle.

Columbia also provides a Devils for Inclusion club that supports the unified teams and a positive school climate for all.

“Our Devils for Inclusion club not only supports our Unified teams during their seasons – the students also work so hard to make sure our school is more inclusive all year long,” said Chelsea Dyer, who is the advisor of the club, an assistant coach for Columbia Unified Basketball and an English teacher at the school. “Over the years, our Devils for Inclusion club has organized team building activities like tie-dying shirts together or having dance parties – activities to make sure all of our students have a meaningful high school experience. I see the impact in the hallways and lunch rooms – authentic friendships that have been forged.  Making ‘inclusion’ be a word our whole student body is familiar with has definitely shifted our climate to be more positive.”