Hastings-on-Hudson board presents 2025–26 budget under tax cap, warns layoffs if voters reject it

The Hastings-on-Hudson Board of Education on May 6 unveiled a 2025–26 operating budget the administration says stays within the property tax cap, highlighting about $1,300,000 in reductions and warning that a failed vote would likely require staff reductions and leave the district with an estimated $2,000,000 deficit relative to a passed prior trajectory.

Superintendent Dr. McCursey led the presentation and said the board asked administrators to produce a tax-cap budget "out of respect for the voters," noting the package has been revised repeatedly to accommodate community feedback and the board's priorities. "This budget has to pass. This budget has to pass," he said in the public presentation while urging residents to "vote your conscience."

The administration emphasized program preservation and targeted investments rather than across-the-board increases. The budget, officials said, maintains all current Advanced Placement offerings, aims to keep average class sizes under 20, and restores staffing lines for several recent retirees either by hiring full-time replacements or redirecting staff. Trustees also flagged an expansion of the district's science research program to include 10th grade amid high demand and said mental-health and student-support positions are emphasized in the plan.

Board members reiterated that the $1.3 million in identified reductions were a "heavy lift" to reach the tax-cap target and reiterated a recent history: when a past budget failed, the district was forced into immediate cuts that had multi-year effects. The administration estimated the present cumulative shortfall compared with a continuously-passed budget at roughly $2 million.

Special-education continuity was a particular focus. The superintendent announced the arrival, effective Aug. 1, of Jean Ferizio as interim assistant superintendent for personnel services and said the district is maintaining two assistant director positions to preserve relationships with families and ensure program continuity.

The board said a printed budget newsletter (now offered in English and Spanish) will be mailed to Hastings households and the administration asked residents to review the materials ahead of the May 20 budget vote. The district framed the budget as "built from the ground up," stressing departmental zero-based budgeting rather than simple year-over-year increases.

Next steps: the administration will continue outreach and public information ahead of the May 20 vote; if voters reject the budget the district said it would return to the board with proposals for reductions and potential staffing changes.