The East Greenbush Central School District hosted its third budget workshop at the public Board of Education meeting on Tuesday evening in the Genet Elementary School auditorium. Superintendent Jeff Simons provided an overview of the budget process and presented three different scenarios for the 2025-26 school budget to fill a $6.5 million gap with varying levels of reductions, use of fund reserves, and tax levy increases.
The budget gap for next school year is the result of increasing expenses, primarily from employee benefits, and revenue not keeping pace. For example, health insurance costs are rising significantly for next year, with a 14.7% overall increase. This includes an 8.8% increase in medical premiums and a 20% increase in prescription drug premiums.
Additionally, over the last five years, the district added staffing positions, primarily to address student needs and mandated services following the pandemic. Positions were added to support early intervention and lower class sizes at the K-5 level, implement new instructional programs such as Pre-K, focus on student academic and social-emotional needs, and meet the needs of an increase in students who require mandated services in special education and English as a New Language.
The district has been exploring potential strategies to address the budget gap. This has included staff reductions through attrition, careful review of supplies, equipment, and contractual expenses, and the use of the district’s fund balance.
Mr. Simons outlined three potential scenarios for the school budget.
School Budget Scenarios
Budget Scenario #1 (Least Cuts)*
Total Budget: $115,511,530
Use of Fund Balance and Reserves: $7,754,422
Tax Levy Increase: 5.19% (exceeds tax cap)
Proposed Reductions: $3,058,000 including Elevate K-8 Summer School Program, Legal Fees, Cyber Security Insurance Premium increase reduced from 15% to 3%, shift 2 Questar UPK classes to community based sites, .5 Business or Other Elective Teacher, 5 Elementary Teachers, 1 Math Teacher, .2 Technology Teacher, 1 Music Teacher, 2 Special Education Teachers, 1 Psychologist, 3 Teaching Assistants, 1 Custodian, 1 Typist, 2.47 Library Typists, .5 Motor Vehicle Operator, a stipend position, BOCES OLAS Recruitment Platform, BOCES WAN Connection, BOCES Data Analyst, funding shifts for certain staff from general fund to federal funding sources.
* This is the only scenario that preserves current regular school year programs and services
Budget Scenario #2 (More Cuts)
Total Budget: $115,147,530
Use of Fund Balance and Reserves: $7,944,921
Tax Levy Increase: 4.25% (exceeds tax cap)
Proposed Reductions: $3,422,000 including reductions from Budget Scenario #1 plus a consolidation of alternative education programs and the elimination of certain software subscriptions purchased through BOCES.
Budget Scenario #3 (Most Cuts)
Total Budget: $114,172,530
Use of Fund Balance and Reserves: $7,593,147
Tax Levy Increase: 3.19% (within tax cap)
Proposed Reductions: $4,397,000 including reductions from Budget Scenario #1 and Budget Scenario #2 plus 3 elementary teachers, 1 library media specialist, 1 Goff assistant principal, 1 Goff typist, eliminate Goff Middle School Achievement Program and teaming in 7th and 8th grades, and shift remaining 2 Questar UPK classrooms to community based sites.
Please note: All positions recommended for reduction are still under review and subject to change.
“During the next several weeks, as our board finalizes the budget, we hope the community will attend meetings or watch our meetings online,” said Mr. Simons. “We need the community to understand the factors driving our decisions regarding the budget. Most importantly, our budget is centered around the preservation of exceptional programs and services for students of which the community has become accustomed. We also want to ensure long term fiscal stability for our community.”
The district has averaged a 0.51% tax levy increase over the past five years, which is one of the lowest among school districts in the Capital Region.
“During times when we received additional federal and state resources, we kept property tax increases low,” said Mr. Simons. “We are now going to ask the community for a needed tax increase to help us sustain one of the strongest school districts in the region.”
Following the presentation, the board discussed the school budget and the options available to the district. There was a consensus to preserve student programs but they also asked Mr. Simons and his administrative team to continue looking for cost savings.
The district will host a 4th Budget Workshop at its regular Board of Education meeting on Tuesday, April 22 at 7:00 p.m. in the Goff cafeteria. Following that presentation, the board will vote to adopt a proposed budget.
Budget Vote and Board Election
The Budget Vote and Board Election is scheduled for Tuesday, May 20. Other propositions on the ballot will include replacement of school buses from the Bus Purchase Reserve Fund, including both traditional fuel and electric vehicles, and the re-establishment of the Bus Purchase Fund. Voters will also select four individuals for the Board of Education.
Upcoming Budget Presentations
Residents can learn more about the proposed budget at one of the following public meetings.
- Budget Workshop #4 – Tuesday, April 22 at 7 p.m., Goff Middle School Cafeteria
- PTO Presentation – Monday, May 5, 6:30 p.m., Virtual Meeting
- Budget Hearing and Presentation – Tuesday, May 6, 7 p.m., Columbia High School Auditorium
- Town of East Greenbush Presentation – Wednesday, May 14, 6:00 p.m., East Greenbush Town Hall
Resources