The East Greenbush Central School District has proposed a school budget for 2025-26 that closes a $6.5 million budget gap and maintains all current regular school year programs.

The proposed budget, totaling $115,153,000, was adopted by the Board of Education at Tuesday evening’s public meeting following its fourth Budget Workshop. The proposed  budget preserves academic and extracurricular programs for students but also includes staffing reductions, use of fund reserves, and a tax levy increase of 4.8% to close the projected budget gap. The proposed tax levy increase is 1.61% above the tax cap, thus requiring approval of 60% of the voters. 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.

Residents will vote on the proposed school budget on Tuesday, May 20.

“We need to preserve the excellence we have provided our students and our community during the last several years,” said Superintendent Jeff Simons. “Our expenses in areas such as employee benefits have increased beyond available revenues. Thus, we are asking the community to consider the low tax levy increases we have been able to offer taxpayers in recent years and to provide us with additional support next year so that we can preserve programs and services for our students.”

The budget gap for next school year was caused by increasing expenses, primarily from employee benefits, and revenue not keeping pace. For example, health insurance costs are rising significantly for next year, with a 14.6% 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 increased staffing positions in some areas, primarily to address increased 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.

District administrators have worked with the board over the last two months to evaluate the budget and reduce expenses without impacting instructional programming. Even with staffing reductions, average class sizes will remain below district guidelines at all levels.

Other propositions on the ballot include two different school bus propositions that would replace up to 10 school buses from the Bus Purchase Reserve Fund at no cost to taxpayers and a proposition that would re-establish the Bus Purchase Reserve Fund. Voters will also select four individuals for the Board of Education.

“We serve a diverse student population and through everyone’s effort, the East Greenbush Central School District is a top achieving district in the region,” said Mr. Simons. “Our student and staff success is due, in large part, to our exceptional staff but importantly community support. As community members weigh all of the factors which are involved in crafting the school budget proposal for next year, we hope they will support the programs we wish to maintain for all students. These include support services for special education students, early childhood intervention programs, student mental health services, college credit and Advanced Placement courses as well as Career and Technical Education Courses we offer our students who are interested in pursuing the trades. 

“We don’t want to reduce options for our kids,” Mr. Simons said.

What’s On the Ballot?

• Proposition 1: School Budget of $115,153,000 with 4.8% Tax Levy Increase
  • Maintains all current regular school year programs and services
  • Keeps class sizes below district guidelines at all levels
  • Preserves Special Education, Related Services, English as a New Language support, Career and Technical Education, Advanced Placement courses, college credit offerings, and extracurricular activities
  • Maintains pre-k program for 165 students
• Proposition 2: Replace 8 School Buses from Bus Purchase Reserve Fund (Gas/Diesel)
  • Replace eight older buses with new gas/diesel buses
  • Purchased at a cost of not to exceed $1,220,045 from the district’s Bus Purchase Reserve Fund with no impact to taxpayers
  • New York State reimburses approximately 66.8% 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
• Proposition 3: Replace 2 School Buses from Bus Purchase Reserve Fund (EV)
  • Replace two older buses with new EV buses
  • Purchased at a cost of not to exceed $695,632 from the district’s Bus Purchase Reserve Fund with no impact to taxpayers
  • New York State reimburses approximately 90-100% of the total purchase with those funds going back into the Bus Purchase Reserve Fund. New York State updated state aid formulas to include aid on any grants or rebates received on zero-emission bus purchases, which has increased the level of reimbursement.
  • 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
• Proposition 4: Re-Establish Bus Purchase Reserve Fund
  • New Bus Purchase Reserve Fund would replace the current fund
  • Allows money to be set aside for the sole purpose of purchasing buses
• Election of Four Board of Education Members
  • There will be five candidates on the ballot (listed in ballot order)
    • Emily Steinbach
    • Rob Panasci
    • Robert Shane
    • Rob Marchiony
    • Cyndi Herron

Budget Vote and Board Election Resources

• Budget Summary
• Budget Workshop Slides Presentation
• Watch Presentation of Proposed School Budget
• FAQ: 2025-26 Budget Process
• Budget Timeline
• Voter Information and Eligibility

Upcoming Presentations
Residents can learn more about the proposed budget and capital project at one of the following public meetings.

• 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
• Presentation at Town of East Greenbush Meeting – Wednesday, May 14, 6:00 p.m., East Greenbush Town Hall

Voting Information

Polls will be open to eligible voters on Tuesday, May 20, 2025 from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. The school district is divided into election zones as follows:

1. Bell Top – Residents of the Town of North Greenbush
2. Goff – Residents of the Town of East Greenbush
3. Donald P. Sutherland – Residents of the Towns of Sand Lake or Chatham or Residents with a Nassau mailing address
4. Green Meadow – Residents of the Town of Schodack who do not have a Nassau mailing address

You may also contact the Business Office at 518-207-2535 to find your polling place.

Absentee Ballots

Qualified district residents who are unable to go to the polls (e.g., illness, out of town for business or vacation) may cast their votes by absentee ballot. An application is required first and may be obtained by calling the District Office at 518-207-2535.

• Absentee Ballot Application (due by May 13, 2025 if received by mail or Monday, May 20, 2024 if received in person at the District Office)
• Military Absentee Ballot Application (due by April 25, 2025)

Early Voting by Mail
Early voting by mail for school budget votes and board elections is now available to New York State residents. Registered, qualified voters of the school district may apply for an early mail ballot by requesting an application from the District Clerk.

Early Voting by Mail Application (due by May 13, 2025)