Residents of the East Greenbush Central School District will vote on the proposed school budget for 2024-25 on Tuesday, May 21. Polls are open from 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.
The proposed school budget, totaling $111,660,557, maintains all programs and services with a 0.55% tax levy increase, which is within the NYS Property Tax Cap. The proposed budget 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.
Other items on the ballot include 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.
What’s On the Ballot
- Proposition 1: School Budget of $111,660,557 with 0.55% Tax Levy Increase
- Maintains all current programs and services
- Expands Pre-K Program from 97 students to 165 students
- Maintains current average class sizes
- Continues 1:1 Chromebook Program
- Upgrades wireless network and other technology systems
- Proposition 2: Bond Proposition (Capital Project)
- Proposed capital project includes items such as replacement of HVAC systems for improved indoor air quality and adding air conditioning throughout all five elementary schools, classroom additions at elementary schools, library renovations in all schools, new playgrounds, athletic field improvements, upgrades to sidewalks and parking lots, and infrastructure improvements at all schools
- Estimated cost for the proposed project is $116 million, but due to state building aid and expiring debt, there would be no additional impact to local taxpayers
- It is estimated that the state will reimburse the district approximately 72% of eligible costs for this project ensuring no additional tax burden for district residents
- Proposition 3: Replace Eight School Buses from Bus Purchase Reserve Fund
- 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 at a cost of $1,044,301 from the district’s Bus Purchase Reserve Fund with no impact to taxpayers
- Two of the eight school buses would be electric buses (dependent on rebates and grants)
- Reimbursed for approximately 69.4% 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
- Election of Three Members to the Board of Education
- There will be five candidates on the ballot (listed in alphabetical order)
- Cheryl Kennedy
- Samantha Phillips
- JoAnn Taylor
- Kimberly Turner
- Catherine Van Orden
- There will be five candidates on the ballot (listed in alphabetical order)
Budget Vote and Board Election Resources
- 2024-25 Proposed Budget Presentation
- Budget Timeline
- Budget Newsletter
- Budget Packet
- Capital Project
- Voter Information and Eligibility
- Board of Education Candidates
Voting Information
Polls will be open to eligible voters on Tuesday, May 21, 2024 from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. The school district is divided into election zones as follows:
- Bell Top – Residents of the Town of North Greenbush
- Goff – Residents of the Town of East Greenbush
- Donald P. Sutherland – Residents of the Towns of Sand Lake or Chatham or Residents with a Nassau mailing address
- Green Meadow – Residents of the Town of Schodack who do not have a Nassau mailing address
Capital Project
The East Greenbush Central School District has proposed a Capital Project that would improve facilities and grounds at all seven schools. The proposed project includes items such as replacement of HVAC systems for improved indoor air quality and adding air conditioning throughout all five elementary schools, classroom additions at elementary schools to accommodate pre-k and increasing enrollment, library renovations in all schools, new playgrounds, athletic field improvements, upgrades to sidewalks and parking lots, and infrastructure improvements at all schools.
The estimated cost for the proposed project is $116 million, but due to state building aid and expiring debt, there would be no additional impact to local taxpayers. It is estimated that the state will reimburse the district approximately 72% of eligible costs for this project ensuring no additional tax burden for district residents.
Scope of the Capital Project:
- HVAC/Air Conditioning in Elementary Schools
- Athletic Fields/Courts
- Goff Middle School
- New Multipurpose Turf Field and 6-Lane Track
- New Elevated Grass Practice Fields with Drainage
- New Tennis/Pickleball/Basketball Court
- New Access Road with Parking Lot
- Renovations to Locker Rooms
- New Digital Sign
- Columbia High School
- Improvements to Baseball Field, Softball Field and Grass Fields
- Replacement of Tennis Courts
- Reconstructed Basketball Courts
- Install New Fiber Runs from School to Turf Field
- Replacement of PA System
- New Bleachers on Visitor Side of Turf Field
- New Digital Sign
- Goff Middle School
- Elementary Playgrounds
- Library Renovations in All Schools
- Classroom Additions
- New Lighting/Sound System in Columbia Auditorium
- Redesigned Four-Lane Entrance to Columbia with Pedestrian Walkway
- New Roof at Columbia High School
- New and Reconstructed Sidewalks
- New and Reconstructed Parking Lots
- Safety/Security
- New Water Fountains with Bottle Fillers
- Electrical
- Removal of Hazardous Materials
- Plumbing
- Exterior Doors/Weather Protection
- General Site Improvements
- Buildings and Grounds Improvements
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