Board approves consent agenda (including HHEA retirement-incentive MOA), adopts several policy changes and schedules public hearing on tax exemption

The Hendrick Hudson Board of Education approved several formal actions during its Jan. 7 meeting.

Consent agenda and retirement incentive: The board added a walk-on fiscal item — a memorandum of agreement (side letter) between the district and the Hendrick Hudson Education Association to explore a retirement incentive similar to one used last year — and approved the consent agenda, including that MOA (motion and voice vote; all in favor). The MOA was presented as a way to address staffing and budgetary considerations while engaging the union in negotiations.

Policy actions: The board completed second readings and approved revised policy 2245 (student member of the board) and policy 5000 (student policy goals). It approved policy 5453 (student bicycle and scooter use) with a targeted amendment giving the superintendent or his designee authority to waive the prohibition for specified educational purposes; the board agreed that language would be updated to reflect that discretion. The board also retired policy 6161 (conference/travel expense reimbursement) as redundant because its provisions were incorporated into recently approved policy language.

First-responder tax exemption: Superintendent Cholmonde summarized community input collected via the district 'Just Ask' form about a proposed first-responder property tax exemption, noting praise for first responders and concern about affordability impacts for seniors and the tax base. He said the board will hold a public hearing and take a vote on the exemption at the Jan. 20 board meeting and encouraged residents to submit comments through the district website’s form.

Adjournment: The meeting concluded with a motion to adjourn that carried by voice vote.