School Budget Vote and Board Election - Tuesday, 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. The proposed budget, totaling $111,660,557, would maintain current average class sizes, expand the Pre-K Program from 97 students to 165 students, continue the district’s 1:1 chromebook program and upgrade the wireless network and other technology systems.

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East Greenbush CSD Expands Pre-K Program for 2024-25

Apr 11, 2024 | District, Pre-K

Red Mill Pre-K class on first day of schoolThe East Greenbush Central School District will be expanding its universal pre-k program for next school year, increasing the number of slots from 97 in 2023-24 to 165 in 2024-25. 

The increase in capacity was made possible by approving additional universal pre-k classes at community service providers at no additional cost to the district. Each of the providers will be paid $5,400 per student by the district, and the district will be fully reimbursed through NYS UPK State Aid.

2024-25 Pre-K Program Sites

  • Genet Elementary School
  • Donald P. Sutherland Elementary School
  • Green Meadow Elementary School
  • Red Mill Elementary School
  • Holy Spirit School
  • Tutor Time of East Greenbush
  • Tutor Time of North Greenbush
  • TSL Adventures
  • Early Childhood Education Center

“The district is very pleased that we will be able to serve more 4 year olds and their families through expanding the number of UPK classes we offer next year,” said Superintendent Jeff Simons. “New community partners will join our efforts with the district overseeing all classes to ensure consistent delivery of language rich, socially engaging and academically based early childhood services for our children and their families.”

The East Greenbush CSD began offering full day universal pre-k in 2021-22 for 36 students using new UPK State Aid and COVID federal funds. Based on research studies that show the value of pre-k, the success of the program and demand from families, the district has expanded the program in each subsequent year.

Pre-K Expansion line graph

The district will be hosting a Pre-K Lottery Drawing on Wednesday, April 24 at 6:00 p.m. in the Genet Elementary School auditorium for families who submitted applications. The lottery, which is open to the public, will determine which students will be offered spots in the 2024-25 Pre-K program.

Parents/guardians who submitted pre-k applications for 2024-25 were sent a Pre-K Site Preference Form on Wednesday afternoon, asking for them to rank each of the sites in order of their preference. Those responses will be used to start student placement following the lottery.

The Board of Education approved the additional community pre-k classes for next year at its public meeting on Tuesday evening.

“The board is pleased with the positive response from our community partners in supporting expanded Pre-K opportunities for families in our district,” said Board of Education President Michael Buono. “We can now utilize the resources provided through our UPK funding and we look forward to being able to serve additional families in PreK.”