Board approves $96.23 million spending plan for voter consideration; backs capital reserve, bus bond and library levy

The Hendrick Hudson Central School District Board of Education on April 2 approved a proposed 2025-26 spending plan of $96,232,500 and voted to place that proposition on the district ballot on May 20, 2025. The board also approved three additional propositions for the ballot — creation of a capital reserve fund, authorization to borrow up to $750,000 for vehicles including buses, and the Hendrick Hudson Free Library levy — and accepted three donations to district programs.

The superintendent's proposed budget was presented to the board as within the New York State property tax cap; the district's tax-cap calculation cited an allowable levy increase of 4.58 percent. The board described the proposed spending plan as a three-part budget (instruction, administration and capital) and said it includes contingent positions and facility investments, and resources to support a mandated transition that may include electric buses. The budget-to-budget change cited in the presentation was 2.86 percent. A reduction of $144,912 in reliance on fund balance was noted after the district identified previously appropriated but unused debt-service bus funds.

The board approved by voice vote (tally not specified in the record) the following propositions and motions: adoption of the district budget proposition for $96,232,500 (to be placed on the May 20 ballot); authorization to establish the “Hendrick Hudson Central SD Capital Reserve 20 ’25” with a maximum amount of $5,000,000 and a probable term of 10 years; a bond proposition authorizing up to $750,000 in borrowing to acquire buses and work vehicles (the district said purchase could include a small electric-bus pilot); and the Hendrick Hudson Free Library budget for $1,420,913, to be raised by tax levy and distributed as a pass-through to the library. The meeting record indicates motions and seconds for each approval and an “all in favor” voice response; individual board vote tallies were not listed.

Donations accepted by the board included $3,500 from Mary’s Giving Fund to support the Hendrick Hudson School District Sports Fest, a donation of sports equipment for the Frank G. Lindsey department (donor not fully specified in the record), and $250 for the Diane Tangent Scholarship Fund. Each donation was moved, seconded and approved by voice vote.

The board noted next steps and timelines: a public hearing on the proposed budget will be held May 7, voters will cast ballots on May 20, and if necessary a revote would be scheduled for June 17. District staff said they will publish levy-impact calculators on the district website and run community budget forums and newsletters to explain propositions and the effect on individual tax bills.

Votes at a glance - District budget proposition — $96,232,500 to be placed on May 20, 2025 ballot; motion approved by voice vote; tally not specified. - Capital reserve proposition — authorize establishment of a Hendrick Hudson Central SD capital reserve up to $5,000,000, term ~10 years; motion approved by voice vote; board clarified this does not immediately levy $5,000,000 from taxpayers. - Vehicle/bus bond proposition — authorize borrowing up to $750,000 to acquire buses/work vehicles (district noted purchase plan could include two electric buses); motion approved by voice vote. - Hendrick Hudson Free Library proposition — $1,420,913 to be raised by tax levy and paid to the library (flow-through); motion approved by voice vote. - Donations accepted — Mary’s Giving Fund $3,500 (Sports Fest); sports equipment donation (donor name not specified in record); Diane Tangent Scholarship Fund $250; motions approved by voice vote.

No individual board member vote tallies were recorded in the publicly available transcript; the record reflects motions, seconds and unanimous voice approval for each item at the April 2 meeting. The propositions will appear on the May 20 ballot for district voters to decide.