Hudson board approves preliminary 2025-26 budget as residents urge pause on elementary closures

The Hudson School District Board of Education on the evening of its August meeting approved a preliminary 2025-26 budget and heard extensive public comment urging the district not to close Holton and Willow River elementary schools.

Board members approved the budget as presented after a staff presentation on the assumptions underpinning next year’s plan. District presenters said the board will receive a final aid calculation on Oct. 15 and expects to return to the board for final budget approval in early November.

The preliminary budget keeps the district’s estimated mill rate level at 8.21, presents an estimated $842,000 in general operating staffing reductions for 2025-26 and notes more than $2.7 million in position reductions over the past three years. District presenters said the state increased the revenue limit calculation by $325 per pupil, left state per-pupil aid at $742 per pupil, and estimated special education categorical aid would rise to about 42% (from roughly 30%). The district also reported an estimated equalization aid shortfall of about $750,000 for the coming school year, and an overall assessed valuation increase of about 4.4% (to be finalized in November).

District staff told the board the administrative service center is listed for sale, the district has accepted an offer on the “UU” property expected to close in 2025-26, and the district will relocate administrative offices to Hudson Middle School on Friday to reduce the district footprint and add property to the local tax base.

During public comment the board heard roughly two dozen speakers representing parents, teachers, students and community members. Many urged the board to delay or reconsider proposals to close elementary schools. Scott Ellingsen, speaking for the Hudson Education Association, said, “The Hudson Education Association strongly urges you to reconsider your previous vote and keep both Holton and Willow River elementary schools open.”

Students and parents described how closures would affect daily life and learning. Fifth-grader Ellie Kessler said, “One of my favorite things about Holton Elementary is the community, and I don't wanna give that up.” Several parents warned that closing schools would increase bus ride times for elementary students and said planned and anticipated housing development in Holton and St. Joseph Township could quickly change enrollment projections.

Some speakers asked the board to take a cautious approach. Parent Kristen (last name not specified) said the district should “collect as much data as possible to weigh the impact of your decision on not just the budget, but on the quality of education our schools provide,” and urged the board to monitor capacity, class sizes, busing and staffing before taking irreversible steps.

One speaker, Julie Baker, raised a separate concern about the district’s visitor policy for registered offenders and asked the board to review and “block this individual from being able to come into the schools.” That issue was raised during public comment and no formal action on policies was taken at the meeting.

Action taken: the board approved the preliminary 2025-26 budget “as presented” on a voice vote. A board member made the motion and a second was recorded; the chair called for those in favor to say “aye,” heard no “nays,” and declared the motion passed. The board emphasized the vote was for the preliminary budget; final adoption will follow once state equalization and final figures are available.

Next steps: district staff will return with finalized aid numbers after the Oct. 15 state calculation and bring the budget back to the board for final approval in early November. The board recessed to hold its posted annual meeting and said it would resume the regular meeting after that session.