Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Enrollment Staffing topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Hendrick Hudson projects small enrollment shifts, plans staffing changes for 2026–27
Summary
District staff told the board the district expects modest enrollment changes for 2026–27 that will leave most grade sections unchanged but reduce sections in middle and high school; the administration proposed contingent positions to preserve flexibility.
Hendrick Hudson Central School District officials on Tuesday presented enrollment projections for the 2026–27 school year that show small overall shifts but enough change in particular grades to alter staffing in middle and high school.
District officials said the projections, prepared by the curriculum office with school leaders, show kindergarten as a grade likely to grow after summer registrations, while several middle- and high-school grades could lose sections next year. The administration recommended preserving contingent positions in the coming budget to maintain flexibility.
Dr. Margaret Rowland, executive director of curriculum and instruction, led the presentation and described the projections as a snapshot based on current registrations and historical trends. She said kindergarten registration currently stands at about 111 students (including UPK rollovers) and that the district typically sees increases as families register over the summer. For elementary schools, the district currently plans to keep most grade sections at their present counts: four sections at one school, three at another, and a seven‑section configuration at Frank G. Lindsey in the coming year.
At the middle school, officials forecast the small cohort now in fifth grade will move to middle school and reduce sections there; the administration expects two fewer sections and the loss of one ELA/reading section. Middle-school staff adjustments will include reallocating social studies responsibilities after a recent retirement, the presentation said.
At the high school, officials projected a minor enrollment drop and the loss of one teaching section; administrators also noted some courses have very low enrollment. Acting director of pupil personnel services Chris Moreno reported that AP French enrolled five students this year and is projected at six for next year — the lowest-enrolled course currently identified. The district said it will review delivery and enrichment program models to preserve access while seeking efficiencies.
Rowland and staff described how the district breaks classroom staffing by certification area and average class size. They warned projections are subject to change if families move in or out before the start of school and urged parents to register kindergarten students now to help finalize staffing.
Board members asked about approaches to keep students in language programs; administrators said the high school will offer a heritage Spanish course for ninth and tenth graders in hopes of improving retention among native speakers. The administration also said it is collecting alumni data and planning alumni focus groups and a freshman-year survey to inform future course offerings.
The board discussed contingency planning: trustees said the budget supports contingent positions this year so the district can respond to enrollment changes without later unanticipated expenditures. The administration said it expects to present specific course proposals and pilot interdisciplinary offerings to the board next year.
Ending: The district will monitor registrations through the summer, adjust staffing recommendations accordingly, and return to the board with finalized staffing and course proposals as the 2026–27 budget process continues.
