Summer EBT is BACK in New York for 2026!

When school lets out for the summer, many families lose access to the meals their children count on during the school year. Summer EBT helps fill that gap by providing grocery benefits to eligible children, helping families stretch their food budgets and ensuring kids have access to nutritious food all summer long.
Summer EBT provides $120 per eligible child when school is out and school meals aren’t available. Many children will receive Summer EBT benefits automatically, but some families will need to apply via an application process with the NYS Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance (OTDA).
Unsure if your child is eligible? This online eligibility tool is designed to help families assess their child’s eligibility.
New Resources to Support Families All Summer Long
Help spread the word that Summer EBT is back in New York! Our ready-to-share flyer highlights the $120 grocery benefit available to eligible school-aged children and directs families to an online tool where they can determine whether they need to apply. Schools, summer meals sponsors, community organizations, libraries, and other partners can distribute the flyer at meal sites, family events, food distributions, and more! The flyer is available in English and Spanish.

ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT: Troy High School Senior Award Winners

ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT: A huge congratulations to all of the GD alumni who received awards at Troy High School’s recent Class Night! It’s amazing to see your continued growth and success, and we know you will accomplish great things after graduation.
We’re excited to welcome all of our high school graduates back for their final walkthrough of Gardner-Dickinson on June 15 at 1:00 p.m.!
Check out all of the awards and scholarships below:
Gabe Bentley
Louis Henry Gross Foundation Scholarship
The Chuckrow Journalism Award
Alessandra Denio
The HVCC Guarantee Program Book Award
Alex Denio
Class Advisors award
Troy Teachers Association Scholarship
The Nathan Simon Humanities Prize
The Joyce Chuckrow Nadel Creative Writing Award
The Troy High Italian Club award for academic excellence and outstanding service to Italian Club
The Donna Ehmann Love of Italian Award
Brynn Mahoney
The Enfanto Memorial Scholarship
Julian Monk
Louis Henry Gross Foundation Scholarship
The Emanuel Elfenbein Memorial Scholarship Award
Troy Administrators Association Award
The THS Sports Award
Jackson Murray
Salutatorian THS Class of 2026
The Louis Henry Gross Foundation Scholarship
The Edward C. Picken Troy High School Athletic Hall of Fame Award
The New York State Board of Regents Merit Scholarship For Academic Excellence
The Dr. John C. Corelli Award for Academic Excellence
The New York State Seal of Biliteracy – Spanish and English
The THS Math Honor Society Achievement Award
Benjamin and David Chuckrow Memorial Award
Deja Marie Nicholson
The Pursuit of Excellence Award
Vanessa Quinn
The Julia O. Wells Memorial Scholarship
The Louis Henry Gross Foundation Scholarship
The Choice Physical Therapy Scholarship Award
The Edith Gajeway Memorial Award
Madison Schmidt
The Fraternal order of the Eastern Star
The Elizabeth M. and Shirlie A. Pokeda Business Award
Winston Smith
The Louis Henry Gross Foundation Scholarship
Susan Zakarka
The Louis Henry Gross Foundation Scholarship

Wynantskill Voters Approve 2026-27 Budget; Re-elect One to Board of Education

On Tuesday, May 19th, Wynantskill voters approved a $11,600,397 budget for the 2026-27 school year. One candidates was re-elected to the Board of Education. To learn more details of the 2026-2027 school budget, you can view the budget newsletter here. or visit our budget resources page here.

 

“We are proud to provide tax relief for our community while continuing to support high-quality learning opportunities for all Gardner-Dickinson students through this upcoming budget and transition year with Troy CSD,” said Superintendent Dr. Yodis.

PROPOSITION #1 Passed-  119 YES  / 34  NO

PROPOSITION #1: THE 2026-27 BUDGET Shall the Board of Education of the Wynantskill Union Free School District, Rensselaer County, New York be authorized to expend the total amount of $11,600,397 during the school year 2026-27 and to levy the necessary tax, therefore.

BOARD OF EDUCATION-Re-elected  Eric Strang 133 Votes

 

Class of 2026 High School Senior Walkthrough – June 15th @ 1:00pm

Calling all GD alumni graduating high school this year:

Visit Gardner-Dickinson for a walkthrough and class reunion picture on June 15th at 1:00 pm.

 

PLEASE RSVP TO KYLE BARBER at kbarber@wynantskillufsd.org or

(518) 283-4600 ext 250

Transportation may be offered from Troy High, Averill Park, Brittonkill & Columbia but you must rsvp.

Official Annexation Order from the New York State Education Department

Dear Wynantskill UFSD Community,

The Wynantskill Union Free School District community recently participated in a significant vote that will help shape the future of our schools. On March 31, 2026, residents approved the proposed reorganization with the Enlarged City School District of Troy by a vote of 709 in favor and 507 opposed. This outcome reflects strong community engagement and a shared commitment to expanding opportunities for our students. We extend our sincere appreciation to everyone who took part in this important decision-making process.
Yesterday afternoon, we received the official Annexation Order from the New York State Education Department, signed by Commissioner Dr. Betty Rosa. The order will take effect on July 1, 2027. While this marks the dissolution of the Wynantskill Union Free School District, it also represents an important opportunity to preserve and strengthen our school community and Gardner-Dickinson School for future generations.

Although this transition is bittersweet, the annexation with the Enlarged City School District of Troy represents a significant step forward in strengthening educational opportunities, expanding programming and resources, and providing long-term stability for Wynantskill students and the entire community.

Over the coming months, both districts will begin the transition process and develop a detailed implementation timeline while remaining committed to keeping the community informed through regular updates throughout the process.

Please click here to view the official Annexation Order issued by the New York State Education Department.

Thank you for your continued support and partnership as we move forward together.

Sincerely,
Superintendent Mary Yodis
and the Wynantskill Union Free School District Board of Education

Board of Education adopts proposed 2026-27 budget, includes 0% tax levy increase

The Wynantskill Union Free School District community recently participated in a significant vote that will help shape the district’s future. On March 31, 2026, residents approved the proposed reorganization with the Enlarged City School District of Troy (Troy CSD) by a vote of 709 in favor and 507 opposed. This outcome reflects strong community engagement and a shared commitment to expanding opportunities for students. The district extends its sincere appreciation to all who took part in this important decision.

Following the approval of the reorganization, the Board of Education took action at its April 21, 2026 meeting to revise its initial budget plan. The Board has pivoted from the previously proposed 6.4% tax levy increase and instead adopted a 0% tax levy increase for the 2026–2027 school year.

This approach avoids placing an additional burden on taxpayers while positioning the district to benefit from approximately $241 million in future state incentive aid associated with the merger, anticipated to begin in the 2027–2028 school year.

To support this plan, the district will address a budget gap of just over $1 million through the use of reserves and fund balance, rather than implementing the previously projected tax increase.

The proposed budget for the 2026–2027 school year is $11,600,397.

“This is a pivotal moment for our district,” said Superintendent Dr. Yodis. “We are proud to provide tax relief for our community while continuing to support high-quality learning opportunities for all Gardner-Dickinson students through this upcoming budget and transition year with Troy CSD.”

Please see the full presentation from Dr. Yodis by clicking here.

Click here to view the April 21, 2026 board meeting minutes.

The Budget Hearing will be held at 7:00pm on Tuesday, May 12th in the GD Library.

The annual Budget Vote and Board of Education Election will be held on Tuesday, May 19th from 12:00-9:00pm in the GD Library.

May 19th – Vote to PIE a Teacher in the Face!

After the huge success of last year’s “duct tape a teacher to the wall” vote, we’re excited to offer another fun opportunity that helps students learn the importance of voting!
On May 19, during the annual school budget vote and Board of Education election, community members and students (accompanied by an adult) can head to the polls to decide which staff member they’d like to see take a pie to the face.
With a lineup of brave staff volunteers, this lighthearted event gives students a chance to experience the voting process firsthand while building school spirit. We can’t wait to see who gets pied!