Voters approve district’s 2025-2026 budget
Pine Bush Central School District voters approved the $149,849,943 budget, with 65 percent of voters supporting this 2025-2026 spending plan.
The three incumbent candidates faced no opposition for their seats on the board. Gretchen Meier, Erik Buckley and Dori Johnson will begin their new three-year terms on July 1, 2025.
“We are incredibly thankful to our community for the unwavering support you’ve shown our district over the years,” said Interim Superintendent of Schools Amy Brockner. “This year is no exception. Our students remain at the heart of everything we do, and because of your continued support, we’re able to provide them with the resources, opportunities, and encouragement they need to thrive. Thank you for being such a vital part of their success.”
“Our team has worked diligently to develop a budget that balances the needs of our students with the fiscal responsibility owed to our taxpayers,” said Joseph Lenz, assistant superintendent for business. “We recognize the deep pride this community takes in its schools, and we look forward to building on our tradition of excellence together.”
“We are deeply grateful to Gretchen Meier, Erik Buckley, and Dori Johnson for their dedication to our district and community,” said Brockner. “Their steadfast commitment to our students and their tireless service to the district are truly inspiring. We are so incredibly fortunate to have them leading the way.”
This year’s budget included a tax levy increase of $1,028,967 or 1.62 percent. This budget increases spending by $8,345,296. State aid increased by $7,677,200. All existing programs are maintained in this budget. A business teacher, three special education teachers and a teaching assistant were added in this budget. One teacher and one counseling position were eliminated through attrition.
BUDGET VOTE/BOARD OF EDUCATION ELECTION
UNOFFICIAL RESULTS
Budget
Yes – 650
No – 345
Board of Education
*Gretchen R. Meier – 796
*Erik Buckley – 780
*Dori Johnson – 796
* Incumbent
Budget Newsletter
Click here for the 2025-2026 Budget Newsletter
Haga clic aquí para obtener el boletín informativo sobre el presupuesto 2025-2026 en español.
The 2025-2026 budget vote and board of education election will be held on Tuesday, May 20, 2025, from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Board of Education Candidates’ Statements
Three seats on the board are available. The three incumbents – Gretchen Meier, Erik Buckley and Dori Johnson – are seeking reelection. There are no challengers.
Click on the links below to view their statements, which they made at the May 6 board of education meeting.
Gretchen Meier
Erik Buckley
Dori Johnson
Board of Education adopts $149,849,943 budget for 2025-2026 school year
The Pine Bush Central School District Board of Education adopted the 2025-2026 budget Thursday night, a $149,849,943 spending plan that maintains all existing academic, co-curricular and athletic opportunities for our students, and includes a new Career and Technical Education (CTE) class at Pine Bush High School.
Next step is for voters to have their say. Voters in the district will vote on the budget on Tuesday, May 20, 2025, from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m.
In addition to the budget vote, voters will also chose three board members for three-year terms. The three incumbents – Erik Buckley, Dori Johnson and Gretchen Meier – are running unopposed.
Polling Locations –
- Election District No. 1: Pine Bush High School
118 State Route 302, Pine Bush
(Residents of the Towns of Gardiner, Shawangunk, Crawford and Montgomery) - Election District No. 2: Circleville Elementary School
2000 State Route 302, Circleville
(Residents of the Towns of Mount Hope, Wallkill and Mamakating)
Budget FAQs
Candidate Petition Packet
Residents of the Pine Bush Central School District who wish to run for a seat on the board of education must complete a petition with a minimum of 27 signatures and turn it in to the district clerk by Monday, April 21, 2025 at 5 p.m.
Prospective candidates may download a petition packet here or stop by the district office, located at 156 Route 302, Pine Bush, and pick one up.
The packet explains the process of running for school board. It contains the physical petition pages that can be printed out and returned after signatures are gathered, as well as board policies, contribution and expenditure statements and information on upcoming workshops to prepare for becoming a board of education member.
Voter Information
For information on voter registration and eligibility, absentee ballots, military ballots and early mail ballots, click here.
Absentee and Early Mail Ballots
This year, New York State has instituted early mail voting for any residents wishing to vote in this manner. Similar to absentee voting, registered voters must request an early mail ballot in writing no sooner than 30 days before the election.
The form to request an early mail ballot can be found here. After verifying the status of the voter, the district will either mail the early mail ballot or the voter may pick it up at the district office.
Applications for absentee ballots may be obtained from the district clerk or downloaded here.
Applications must be received by the clerk at least seven days before the election, if the ballot is to be mailed to the voter, or the day before the election if the ballot is to be delivered personally to the voter.
Applications for ballots may not be submitted more than 30 days prior to the election. The clerk will begin accepting absentee ballot applications on Monday, April 21, 2025.
All completed ballots must be received by the Office of the District Clerk no later than 5 p.m. on Tuesday, May 20, 2025.
For further information, contact the district clerk at (845) 744-2031 ext. 4023.
Military Ballots
Any residents who are members of the military and in service on the date of the election may request a military absentee ballot. Please return the request by 5 p.m. on April 21, 2025. Your ballot will then be sent to you.
For further information, contact the district clerk at (845) 744-2031 ext. 4023.
Voter Registration
Qualified voters may personally register at the district office during regular office hours, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., until May 8, 2025.
In addition, personal registration will be conducted on Thursday, May 8, 2025, between 4 and 8 p.m. at the district office.
Any qualified voter may register with their respective county board of elections at any time prior to voting in a school election. You may also register online through New York State.
Residents of the district who are already registered with their county board of elections are registered to vote in school elections.
Budget Development
Budget Presentations
The following presentations were made at board meetings.
Second Draft – Property Tax Cap Calculation; State Aid Analysis (presented March 25, 2025
Proposed 2025-2026 Instructional Budget (presented March 25, 2025)
Proposed 2025-2026 Administrative Staffing; Proposed Budget Extra-Curricular Programs and Athletics; Technology Budget; Transportation Budget; Operations and Maintenance Budget; Debt Service/Draft Budget (presented March 11, 2025)
2025-2026 Draft Rollover budget/Estimated Property Tax Cap Calculation/Preliminary State Aid Analysis (presented Feb. 25, 2025)
2025-2026 Draft Rollover Budget/Preliminary State aid Analysis (presented Feb. 11, 2025)
Demographic Study Update (presented Jan. 28, 2025)