Dr. Ron Hatter, superintendent of schools for the Yorktown Central School District, presented six proposed areas of focus for the 2025–26 school year, emphasizing student connectedness, an intensified focus on student mental health, strengthened communications, fiscal responsibility, course and scheduling alignment, and energy-efficiency initiatives including LED lighting and food‑waste reduction.

Hatter told the board the district will pursue partnerships as deliverables, including an exclusive mental‑health partnership with Westchester Medical Center Health for K–12 support; he said contracts are “with attorneys” and that on‑site services would proceed with parental consent. He also said the district is managing the timeline and costs of a $54,000,000 aggregate bond (described as roughly $44 million and about $10 million in two parts) and is considering LED conversions and other efficiency measures to reduce energy use and food waste.

Why it matters: the plan frames spending priorities and partnerships that affect instruction, student supports and capital projects. Commitments such as a districtwide mental‑health partnership and bond timing will shape budgets, vendor agreements and family‑facing services over the coming year.

Most important facts: Hatter said student connectedness and cultural‑awareness work are linked by shared goals around belonging, while student mental health is large enough to merit its own focused attention and potential on‑site services. He described tangible next steps: surveying for course interests (to guide new course offerings and scheduling), weekly communications to families, partnerships for mental health supports, and planning for LED lighting and food‑waste efforts.

Board members pressed for measurable goals and caveats. Trustee Jack (first name used in the meeting) asked for measurable targets; Hatter said some items are binary (happened/didn’t happen) while others (quality of communication, energy savings) require benchmarking and noted measurement caveats if the district adds air‑conditioning units that change energy baselines. Trustees also asked that the district consult peer districts on food‑waste metrics; Hatter said staff had already contacted Tarrytown for insight.

Discussion vs. decisions: the board held a discussion; the superintendent framed proposed priorities and committed to develop deliverables and measurement approaches. No binding financial commitments or contract approvals for the partnership or LED projects were recorded in the meeting minutes; Hatter said legal review and future board items will follow.

What’s next: Hatter said the administration will develop specific plans and metrics through the year; he identified partnerships, schedule and curriculum work, and energy projects as topics for future board review.

Quotes: “We’re looking at an additional partnership with Westchester Medical Center Health, and it’s an exclusive partnership that can support our high school, middle school, actually, all of our students K through 12,” Hatter said. “Right now that process is the contracts are with attorneys.”

Ending: The board expressed broad support for the priorities and asked staff to return with quantifiable metrics and proposed timelines as items move from planning to implementation.