This past fall, Superintendent Jeff Simons announced he would be retiring at the end of this school year. It marks the end of nine years leading the East Greenbush Central School District and 33 years in education.

On this episode, our Public Information Specialist Mark Adam has a conversation with Mr. Simons about his time in East Greenbush, the many accomplishments our district has achieved under his leadership, some of the obstacles we faced and overcame together, and what he hopes for our district moving forward.

Also, students tell us about their favorite moments from this school year, the staff profile features School Social Worker Kayla Sweet, and we hear reflections from teachers and staff who are retiring at the end of this school year.

(1:22) – A Conversation with Superintendent Jeff Simons
(27:53) – Students Tell Us About Their Favorite Moments from This School Year
(29:09) – Staff Profile of School Social Worker Kayla Sweet
(34:06) – Reflections from Retiring Teachers and Staff
(45:31) – Upcoming Events

Special thanks to our guest host Meadow Wisenburn ’25!

Let’s Learn Together is available on Apple, Spotify, YouTube Music and other apps.

Earlier this spring, New York State approved a cell phone ban for all K-12 public schools. The cell phone ban would prohibit student use of internet-enabled devices - including smartphones, tablets and smartwatches - from the start to the end of the school day.

All school districts are required to create and publish their own cell phone policies by August 1st, 2025 and then implement those policies for the 2025-26 school year.

On today’s episode, Superintendent Jeff Simons discusses the East Greenbush Central School District’s cell phone policy with members of the school’s Cell Phone Committee - Columbia Principal Mike Harkin, Social Studies Teacher and EGTA Vice President Dan Wagner, and Columbia students Manya Madan '25, Nate Garrigan '26, Mariam Conteh '27 and Maddy Marra '28.

They provide important information about the new state law, the research done by the Cell Phone Committee this school year, and what the district's policy will look like starting in September.

Also, students share what makes East Greenbush the Best School District in the Capital Region, the staff profile features School Bus Driver Kelly Kendrick and we feature the Goff Garden Club in the Student Activity Spotlight.

(1:27) – New Cell Phone Policy
(28:50) – Students Share What Makes East Greenbush the Best School District in the Capital Region
(30:03) – Staff Profile of School Bus Driver Kelly Kendrick
(32:18) – Student Activity Spotlight with the Goff Garden Club
(34:20) – Upcoming Events

Special thanks to our guest host Anna Nassivera '25!

Let’s Learn Together is available on Apple, Spotify, YouTube Music and other apps.

The East Greenbush Central School District has developed a proposed budget for the 2025-26 school year totaling $115,153,000. The budget would maintain all current regular school year programs including:

• Pre-K and Early Childhood Support
• Mental Health Services
• College Credit and AP courses
• Career and Technical Education Classes
• Athletics, Clubs and Extracurricular activities

On today’s episode, Superintendent Jeff Simons and Director of Business and Finance Jennifer Mulligan discuss the proposed budget, what's on the ballot, and how residents can vote.

Also, students tell us where they would go if they could travel anywhere in the world, the staff profile features School Resource Officer Ed Ashley and we feature the Mock Trial Team in the Student Activity Spotlight.

(1:15) – School Budget Vote and What's On the Ballot
(8:20) - Fund Balance
(11:11) - Community Support
(13:51) - NYS Tax Cap
(18:09) - Reassessment in the Town of East Greenbush
(20:44) - School Bus Purchases
(24:44) - Bus Purchase Reserve Fund
(26:05) - Board of Education Election
(29:02) - Final Thoughts on the School Budget
(32:40) – Students Tell Us Where They Would Travel
(34:17) – Staff Profile of School Resource Officer Ed Ashley
(39:12) – Student Activity Spotlight with the Mock Trial Team
(42:40) – Upcoming Events

Special thanks to our guest host Hannah Ortiz '26!

Let’s Learn Together is available on Apple, Spotify, YouTube Music and other apps.