Superintendent Jeff Simons
After 32 years in education and currently in his ninth year leading the East Greenbush Central School District, Superintendent Jeff Simons announced his retirement in a letter to faculty, staff and families on Monday. He will retire at the end of the current school year, effective July 1, 2025.
It is expected that the Board of Education will approve Mr. Simons’ retirement at their next public meeting scheduled for November 6.
Superintendent Jeff Simons with Columbia students at the Empowering Student Voices Youth Summit in April 2024.
“Upon reflection on my 25 years as a school leader and 32 years in public education, I consider my experience serving as your Superintendent for almost 9 years to have been a distinct honor and the most rewarding experience of my educational journey,” Mr. Simons said in the letter to the school community.
Mr. Simons was hired as Superintendent of Schools in 2016. Since that time, the East Greenbush CSD has earned many accomplishments – Best School District in the Capital Region, a Times Union Top Workplace, and awards from the NYS Education Department and United States Department of Education.
Mr. Simons is providing more than eight months notice to enable the Board of Education to conduct a search for a highly qualified successor. The Board of Education issued the following statement regarding Mr. Simons’ decision to retire at the end of this school year:
“It is with heartfelt gratitude that we thank Mr. Simons for his nine years of dedication and service to our district,” the Board of Education said in the statement. “His unwavering leadership has brought us many accolades and accomplishments, but his legacy will also include the compassion and respect he embodies.
Superintendent Jeffrey Simons signs an Early Assurance Agreement with Sage College in February 2020.
“Hiring a Superintendent of Schools is the most important task a Board of Education takes on, and we want to ensure the community that we are committed to finding the best next leader for our great district” the board statement continued. “Community input will be included during the process. Details on our path forward including opportunities to contribute will be provided in the coming weeks and months.”
During Mr. Simons’ tenure as Superintendent, the district expanded academic offerings to students such as college courses at the high school, Career and Technical Education programs, Summer School programs, and a new Pre-K Program.
There have also been improvements to school safety, mental health services, technology, school infrastructure and athletics.
East Greenbush CSD Accomplishments (since 2016)
- East Greenbush CSD was named a Top Workplace by the Albany Times Union in 2018, 2019 and 2021.
- Voted “Best School District” the last three years in the Times Union Best of the Capital Region contest.
- Green Meadow was named a National Blue Ribbon School by the U.S. Department of Education in 2021.
- Goff ranked #1 middle school in the Capital Region (U.S. News) in 2023.
- Columbia was named by the NYS Education Department as a Recognition School (2019 and 2020) and a Reward School (2018).
- Red Mill Elementary was named by the NYS Education Department as a Recognition School (2020).
- Residents have passed all eight school budgets and all eight school bus propositions (2017-2024).
- Residents approved two capital project proposals – one in 2017 totaling $39 million and and one in the Spring of 2024 totaling $116 million – $155 million to improve school facilities.
- Columbia received a Silver Medal ranking in the U.S. News & World Report’s 2018 Best High Schools list.
- District ranked #1 for ELA and #2 for Math in the Capital Region for the 2023 NYS assessments.
- Started a Pre-K Program in Fall 2021 which has grown to serve 165 children this school year.
- Expanded the number of college courses for Columbia students to 28 courses.
- Expanded Partnerships with local colleges including Hudson Valley Community College, Sage College, Siena College and UAlbany.
- Increased the number of district students participating in Career and Technical Education programs including STEM High School at HVCC.
- Increased school-based mental health services for students.
- Increased academic intervention services in reading and mathematics services for students.
- Improved safety protocols and infrastructure in all schools.
- Started a 1:1 chromebook program in 2018 to improve instructional technology access for students.
- Began live streaming and recording video of all public Board of Education meetings in 2020.
- Received the School Safety Excellence Award from Utica National Insurance Group every year.
- Received a “no designation” fiscal stress score from the New York State Comptroller’s Office every year, indicating a low level of fiscal stress.
- Added five interscholastic sports to the athletic program (Ice Hockey, Girls’ Wrestling, Boys’ Swim, Girls’ Swim and Girls’ Flag Football).
- Columbia received the state sportsmanship award from NYSPHSAA in 2017, 2018, 2019 and 2020 out of nearly 800 member schools.
- Began offering free breakfast and lunch to all students this school year through state and federal funding.
Mr. Simons also led the district through the COVID-19 pandemic which presented unprecedented challenges for schools. Despite the new and ever-changing state guidance, Mr. Simons, his administrative team and all faculty and staff rallied to continue educating students. They also implemented new programs and services to close learning gaps that the pandemic created, including establishment of universal screeners to evaluate students, hiring intervention specialists to provide increased reading and math services, and a free K-8 summer school program open to all students.
Green Meadow teachers Denise Romer and Michelle Ecker, Principal Daniel Garab and Superintendent Jeff Simons at the National Blue Ribbon Schools Ceremony in Washington, D.C. in November 2021.
In his retirement letter, Mr. Simons thanked the East Greenbush CSD staff.
“I would be remiss if I did not thank all of the board members within whom I served, the talented and dedicated teachers, school administrators, support staff and bus drivers with whom I have been so fortunate to work side by side with each day,” Mr. Simons wrote. “I marvel at the excellence you provide our students each day.”
Prior to joining the East Greenbush CSD, Mr. Simons served as Superintendent of Schools in the Rome City School District. He spent his first six years in education as an elementary school teacher before becoming a curriculum and staff development specialist, elementary school principal, assistant superintendent for curriculum and instruction, and deputy superintendent.