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Board hears department budget pitches for athletics, guidance, facilities and transportation
Summary
Directors presented department‑level budget proposals and priorities for 2025‑26, including athletics staffing and stipend requests, a proposed bilingual/shared counselor in guidance, facilities maintenance and energy‑stabilizing solar data, and transportation EV transition planning and grant pursuit.
The Hendrick Hudson Board of Education heard program‑level budget presentations Wednesday from athletics, guidance and counseling, facilities, and transportation leaders as the district builds its 2025‑26 spending plan.
Athletics director Tom Baker summarized program growth and requests, saying the district supports 67 teams across 33 programs and has expanded unified sports and sixth‑grade intramurals. Baker proposed two additional modified soccer coach stipends and a JV flag football coach, citing consistent high participation ("we had over 50 kids try out for each team" on modified teams) and the need to split large rosters to provide playing opportunities.
Doctor Aaron Kleinman, director of K‑12 guidance, proposed a shared counselor who would split time between elementary and high school and a bilingual counselor to support an increasing population of English language learners. Kleinman said the guidance request totals about $192,500, covering equipment, operating expenses and contracted student assistance counselors.
Director of facilities and operations (Mister Merlini) reviewed recent maintenance work, building ages, and energy cost drivers, noting five buildings produce solar power that accounts for approximately 40% of district electricity needs and that an energy performance contract (EPC) will begin weatherization and LED lighting measures soon. Merlini outlined maintenance and utilities line‑items and changes planned for equipment, plant maintenance contracting and water and oil budgets.
Transportation lead Anthony reviewed route efficiency work, recent vehicle purchases and an EV transition plan being developed with bus manufacturers and grant partners; staff said the state mandates a transition to EV buses by 2027 and the district is evaluating garage infrastructure, charging, and financing strategies to smooth the replacement cycle.
Board members questioned the impact of adding teams on enrollment and on transportation logistics and costs, staffing needs for ELL and counseling caseloads (one counselor currently covers roughly 53 ELL students in addition to a standard caseload), and the pace and financing of an EV bus transition. Directors said staffing requests would be revisited during line‑by‑line budget review later in the process and that grant funding opportunities would be pursued where available.
Administrators reiterated that budget figures are preliminary and that the board will examine parameters, staffing data and projections as state aid figures and final numbers become available.
