The Pine Bush school board unanimously passed a proposed 2024-25 budget at its April 18 meeting. School Superintendent Brian Dunn announced that a discussion on revising the district’s policy on cell phones in schools would take place May 7 at the next board meeting.

Joseph Lenz, Assistant Superintendent for Business, discussed the $141.5 million budget with a powerpoint presentation. While the New York State budget hadn’t been finalized at that time, Lenz was comfortable in proposing a 2.96% tax levy; the tax cap is 4.05%. The rollover budget preserves all existing programs and personnel.

The spending for the budget’s three components will be: program - 77.8%; capital – 11.2%; and administration: 10.9%. The state will provide 52.2% of the budget; the tax levy – 44.8% and fund balance – 2.1%.

Voting will take place May 21 at two locations, Pine Bush High School and Circleville Elementary School. The district has cut the number of locations from four due to staffing difficulties. Superintendent Brian Dunn said that he and Lenz will travel the district extensively, visiting many groups, including PTAs, town boards and community organizations. Voters will also elect members to the school board.

Dunn announced that the district will consider revising its policy on the use of cell phones in its schools. He said the district has to decide whether it has the right policies in place regarding cell phone use to optimize student learning.

He said that a number of organizations, including the Centers for Disease Control, have identified serious problems for cell phone use among young people, including anxiety, depression and suicidal thoughts. Dunn noted that earlier this year, the district brought Thomas Kersting, a nationally renowned psychotherapist and author of Disconnected: How to Protect Your Kids from the Harmful Effects of Cell Phone Dependency. Kersting met with students, parents and school officials over the course of several days to discuss the dangers of cell phones.

Dunn read a letter from Chris Passadetti, president of the Pine Bush Teachers Association, stating that “the PBTA is fully in support of making Pine Bush schools cell phone free for students. It is the right time for this policy.”

During the public comment period, an unidentified woman said that, given the state of current events, parents would be upset about not being able to reach their children. Many schools across the country have banned cell phones.