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Hendrick Hudson board holds public hearing on $7.5M fund balance use, 6.6% budget increase
Summary
Board leaders presented the adopted 2026–27 school budget, citing a 6.6% increase in spending, use of roughly $7.5 million from fund balance (including Indian Point-related reserves) to limit the levy, and a $775,000 borrowing authorization on the ballot to finance an electric-vehicle transition; the budget vote is set for May 19.
The Hendrick Hudson Central School District on May 6 held a public hearing on its adopted 2026–27 budget, outlining a 6.6% increase in proposed spending and a combination of revenues and reserves intended to balance the plan.
Greg, a district presenter, told the board and public that district leaders expect to use approximately $7.5 million from fund balance to reduce the tax levy; a portion of those reserves was established after the shutdown of Indian Point, he said. The adopted budget breaks expenses into program, administrative and capital components and continues to prioritize classroom instruction, the presentation said.
Administrators emphasized uncertainty around state aid, which is pending as the state finalizes its budget. The district described state aid as an estimate and said it has built the budget while awaiting final legislative action. The board noted that school districts are required by statute to adopt a balanced budget and that final state aid figures could change the district’s revenue projections.
The budget package includes three propositions for the May 19 ballot: the annual budget, a proposition authorizing a borrowing authorization of $775,000 to support the mandated transition to an electric vehicle fleet for school buses and related vehicles, and the budget for the Hendrick Hudson Free Library. The district said the $775,000 proposition would authorize the district to enter a loan agreement if approved, not immediately spend that amount.
District officials outlined outreach and next steps: a budget newsletter to be mailed around May 8, a virtual forum on May 13 (6–7 p.m.), an in-person forum on May 18 (5–6 p.m. at Veterans Park), and the districtwide vote on May 19 (7 a.m.–9 p.m. at Frank G. Lindsay Elementary School). They also noted that if voters reject the levy-related proposition and the district must move to a contingent budget, state law limits levy increases and requires removal of non-contingent items and restrictions on facility use.
Board members invited questions and public comment; no members of the public spoke during the allotted non-agenda and agenda comment periods. The district repeated that its projections reflect current assumptions about contractual costs, health-care increases and debt service, and cautioned that the numbers are estimates subject to change.
The board gave no final policy vote at the hearing; the budget will be decided by the May 19 public vote and, if necessary, by subsequent statutory timelines for a revote or adoption of a contingent budget.
