Upcoming Opportunities to Learn About the GJSD Budget
The Greater Johnstown School District will offer several opportunities in the coming weeks for residents to learn about the proposed 2021-22 school budget and other items on the ballot for this year’s annual school budget vote and Board of Education elections on Tuesday, May 18.
Polls will be open for in-person voting from 11 a.m. – 8 p.m. on Tuesday, May 18 in the Johnstown Junior-Senior High School Auditorium Lobby.
Upcoming information sessions include:
- Budget Workshop
Thursday, April 15
6 p.m. in person at The Knox Building - Regular BOE Meeting with Budget Discussion
Thursday, April 22
6 p.m. in person at The Knox Building - Annual Public Budget Hearing
Tuesday, May 4
6 p.m. in person at Johnstown Jr-Sr High School Performing Arts Center
“Each year the community votes on the school budget on the third Tuesday in May, however budget development is a year-round process,” said Superintendent of Schools Dr. William Crankshaw. “Through budget workshops, regular meetings of the Board of Education and its Audit, Budget and Finance Committee, and conversations with the community, the board provides a number of opportunities for the public to learn about the district’s financial plans.”
“The budget informs everything we do in terms of short-range and long-range planning, and shapes every decision that is made. We welcome the public’s participation in each step of the process, so they can gain deeper insight and perspective on our decision making,” Dr. Crankshaw added.
GJSD Board of Education President Chris Tallon echoed those sentiments and reiterated the importance of having open lines of communication between the district and the community.
“We pride ourselves on transparency,” he said. “We want to ensure the public feels heard and is given the opportunity to ask questions and receive information directly from the Board and administration.”
Tallon and the Board spearheaded an effort earlier this year to present a monthly series of community outreach sessions to spark conversation between the district and community members. During four sessions held in January and February, district officials offered presentations on various topics including preliminary budget calculations and figures, an explanation of the relationships and roles of the Board of Education and Superintendent, and how district policies and plans are created and implemented.
Tallon says the board plans to keep an open dialogue by continuing community sessions throughout the year.
REGISTER TO VOTE:
Residents may register to vote at the office of the Fulton County Board of Elections (or the Montgomery County Board of Elections if you live in the Town of Palatine), or online through the NYS Board of Elections.
You may also register in person between 3-7 p.m. on Tuesday, May 4 in the Johnstown Junior-Senior High School Auditorium Lobby.
Not sure if you’re registered? Check HERE.
ABSENTEE BALLOTS:
Voters registered as permanently disabled with the county board of elections will automatically receive an absentee ballot. Any other qualified voter wishing to vote by absentee ballot must submit an application to the district clerk’s office. Applications are available in both English and Spanish and can be downloaded from the GJSD website. If you are unable to print the application, you may call 518-762-4611 ext. 3119 and ask for an application to be mailed to you.
Completed absentee voter applications must be received in the district clerk’s office by Tuesday, May 11 if the ballot is to be mailed to the voter or by Monday, May 17 if the ballot will be picked up in person.
Completed absentee ballots can be mailed back to the district or dropped off in person, but must be received by the district office by 5 p.m. on Tuesday, May 18.