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 Receives School Safety Excellence Award

Apr 15, 2024 | Bell Top, Columbia, District, Genet, Goff, Green Meadow, Pre-K, Red Mill, Sutherland, Transportation

2024 Utica National School Safety Excellence AwardFor the 21st consecutive year, the East Greenbush Central School District has received the School Safety Excellence Award from Utica National Insurance Group. The district received the Titanium with Honors level designation this year, the highest level available, which includes a $500 check to be used for safety expenses.

The award was presented at the Board of Education meeting on March 27.

“Safety for our students, employees and visitors is a core value of our school district,” said Superintendent Jeff Simons. “We are proud of our record of safety within our schools and appreciate the recognition of our efforts by Utica National Insurance. This award reflects the diligence of our board of education, administration and faculty and staff as it relates to our safety protocols.”

The award, presented annually to Utica National’s clients, recognizes school districts’ safety efforts as they work to help keep students, staff and visitors safe.

Schools are measured in a number of areas such as transportation, playground safety and bullying prevention programs.

The district’s comprehensive safety program, which is guided by the annual district safety plan, includes the following:

  • All schools have a locked single point of entry through which students, employees and visitors enter
  • All staff must wear photo ID badges while in school buildings
  • All visitors must sign-in and put on a visitor sticker before entering school
  • Security cameras monitor school entrances and surrounding areas
  • All schools have an integrated security system with the ability to lockdown buildings
  • Columbia High School and Howard L. Goff Middle School each have a police officer who serves as a School Resource Officer every day at those schools. They may also report to other schools as needed.
  • District-employed security personnel monitor Columbia High School during school days and in the evening and on weekends
  • All employees must be fingerprinted and pass a thorough background check before starting work
  • Students must adhere to the District’s Code of Conduct, which contains information on the range of consequences that may be imposed if students misbehave. This information is reviewed with students each year during the opening weeks of school.
  • Every school engages in a comprehensive set of safety drills (fire, lockdown, secured lockout) to ensure that students, faculty and staff are prepared should an emergency occur. Each November, every school dismisses students 15 minutes early to test its Emergency Management Plan. The “Go Home Early Drill” tests the effectiveness of the transportation and communications systems in the event of an emergency.
  • Safety training is provided to staff annually during Superintendent’s Conference Days
  • All school buses have stop arm cameras installed to monitor for vehicles illegally passing buses