Greater Amsterdam School District residents voted 325 to 104 on Tuesday, May 21, to approve a $96.9 million budget proposal, a $62 million capital project and purchasing two new school buses. Voters also elected Gavin Murdoch and Dennis P. Boice Jr. The results will remain unofficial until the Board of Education meeting tomorrow night.
The 2024-25 budget carries no tax levy increase and will preserve all existing programming and maintain low-class sizes.
“Thank you to all of the Amsterdam voters for supporting our students,” said Richard Ruberti, superintendent of schools. “We are so excited about what this result means for our students. This work will improve all areas of our district.”
The primary focus of the budget will emphasize student-centered expenditures. New staff positions and initiatives will be offered to better meet student needs, including continued support for students’ social-emotional and mental health. Additionally, hall monitors will be hired at the elementary levels to provide the necessary safety precautions for our students.
Bus Purchases:
Voters approved the proposition for the district to use $302,602 from its Bus Purchase Reserve Fund to buy one 50-passenger and one 66-passenger school bus, which follows the district’s bus replacement schedule to maintain a safe and efficient bus fleet with a vote of 347 to 80.
Capital Project:
Voters additionally approved the district's $62 million capital project proposal that would have no tax impact due to state aid and the planned use of capital reserve funds by a vote of 323 to 103.
Board of Education Vote:
Finally, two candidates were elected to the board of education. The candidates elected to the board are: Gavin Murdoch and Dennis P. Boice Jr.
The board vote numbers were as follows:
Gavin Murdoch: 315
Dennis P. Boice Jr.: 261
Janice Newbold: 157