At a glance
The Hudson City School District Board of Education met Monday for its regular January meeting. The board received the first of several budget presentations for the 2026-27 school year, heard an update on the superintendent search process, and approved several policies on second and third readings. Acting Superintendent Dr. Bailey and Executive Director for Business Christy presented preliminary enrollment data, staffing counts, and revenue projections, noting several gaps in last year's budget that left unaccounted expenses. The board also finalized its search timeline for a permanent superintendent, with community surveys and focus groups set to begin in February.
Roll call, pledge, and student representative report
Board President Mark DePace called the meeting to order. Board member Amanda Grubler was absent due to illness. Student representative Leona Prova reported that the high school is in midterm exams week and the Tri-M Music Honor Society is hosting a Mario Kart tournament on January 30.
Key points
- Seven board members present, one absent (Amanda Grubler)
- High school students are in midterm exams week
- Tri-M Music Honor Society tournament scheduled for January 30
Committee reports: audit, facilities, policy, finance, president
Committee chairs reported on recent meetings. The facilities committee met just before the board meeting and reviewed capital project progress. The policy committee met January 13 and advanced several policies to the agenda. The finance committee met January 5 and 12 to prepare for the budget season. Board President DePace reported on the January 7 public workshop with the superintendent search consultant.
Key points
- Facilities committee: capital project and greenhouse on schedule, cooler and freezer updates progressing
- Policy committee: advanced booster club policy, wellness policy, expense reimbursement policy, and sexual harassment policies; Elise Hilton resigned, creating a vacancy
- Finance committee: reviewing current year reporting and ramping up for 2026-27 budget
- Board held a public workshop January 7 with Dr. Kweeta Adams from HYA on the superintendent search
Elise Hilton resigned from the policy committee, creating a vacancy the board will work to fill.
Budget presentation: background, enrollment, staffing
Dr. Bailey and Executive Director for Business Christy presented the first budget overview for 2026-27. They outlined several challenges inherited from prior years, including unaccounted transportation costs, summer school expenses, and healthcare shortfalls totaling roughly $2 million. They also described ongoing forensic work to reconcile staffing records in the district's finance system, WindCap.
Key points
- About $1 million in unaccounted transportation costs (McKinney-Vento, athletics, CTE, out-of-district placements)
- Over $200,000 spent on summer schools not budgeted in 2025-26
- $800,000 additional healthcare costs beyond what was budgeted
- Staff paid with COVID-era grants returned to the general fund when those grants ended, stressing the budget
- WindCap staffing records incomplete since 2016 onboarding; positions hired but not assigned control numbers, making accurate counts difficult
- District currently working to reconcile all positions and assign control numbers to create a clean baseline for future budgets
- Enrollment slightly up this year after years of decline; district currently hold harmless on state aid tied to enrollment
- About 20% of students have disabilities, higher than the state target of 12-14%
- Economically disadvantaged students make up a significant portion of enrollment
- Staffing estimate: approximately 368 full-time employees, though exact count still being verified
The district is still reconciling exact staffing counts. Figures presented are close but not yet validated with the teachers association.
The $1.2 million Stronger Connections Grant, a federal title grant extension, is ending. The district will need to find funding to sustain the positions and services it currently supports.
Budget presentation: revenue, reserves, three-part budget
Christy reviewed the district's revenue projections, the three-part budget structure, and the use of fund balance and reserves to balance the 2025-26 budget. The total budget for the current year is $58,544,000. Over $2 million in unassigned fund balance was used to balance this year's budget, in addition to nearly $1 million from reserves.
Key points
- Total 2025-26 budget: $58,544,000
- Three-part budget: administrative, capital, and program (program is the largest portion, funding directly to students)
- Over $2 million in unassigned fund balance used to balance the current year budget
- $963,000 in planned reserve use
- State aid projections released by the governor are flat; hold harmless provisions still in place but could change
- Reserves allow the district to manage unforeseen expenses (example: emergency boiler repair covered by repair reserve)
- Expenses were largely rolled over from prior year with 3% increases, plus targeted increases in healthcare, retirement, and fringe benefits
The district does not yet have all payment-in-lieu-of-taxes (PILOT) data from the county IDA, which is needed to calculate the tax cap. This will be available by the next meeting.
Budget presentation: missing pieces and next steps
Dr. Bailey outlined several items still in progress for the budget, including grant accounting, BOCES expense tracking, tax levy history, and reserve forecasts. The next budget presentation will include facilities and technology budget overviews.
Key points
- Still need: secondary class size data, comparisons with neighboring districts, full grant accounting, BOCES expense detail, tax levy history, reserve forecasts
- Grants create significant accountability; staff have been working since September to unravel and reconcile them
- BOCES expenses generate revenue (district receives roughly 36% back the following year)
- Facilities and technology will present at the next board meeting
Board questions on budget presentation
Board members asked clarifying questions about enrollment, staffing ratios, and whether pre-K students are included in enrollment numbers. Dr. Bailey explained that pre-K students are aided differently and partially funded by state grants, which is why they are separated in the data.
Key points
- Pre-K students are partially grant-funded and aided differently than K-12 students, so they are reported separately
- No standard student-to-staff ratio exists; it varies widely by district and context
- Staffing label on slide should read 'teachers' rather than 'HTA' to avoid confusion about union membership
- Some teachers may not be union members, which is a relatively new option in New York State
Personnel agenda
The board returned from executive session and approved personnel items. One item (A1) was pulled for a separate vote. Board member Diana Howard voted no on that item. All other personnel items passed unanimously.
Key points
- Personnel items A2 through A10 and B1 through B6 approved unanimously
- Item A1 approved with one no vote (Diana Howard)
Public comment: outdoor policy for elementary students
Kelly McDonald asked why elementary students are required to go outside for recess and before school regardless of weather, while junior high and high school students have the option to stay inside when it is cold. She also asked why sixth graders do not have gym access when they stay inside, unlike seventh and eighth graders.
Key points
- Elementary students are required to go outside; junior high and high school students have the option to stay inside in cold weather
- New York State guidelines say students should not go outside when temperature is below 20 degrees
- Sixth graders who stay inside due to weather must remain in the cafeteria with limited noise and socialization, while seventh and eighth graders have gym access
- Board agreed to follow up with McDonald on the policy
District administration will follow up with Kelly McDonald on outdoor recess and gym access policies.
Public comment: superintendent search process and local candidates
A community member and district employee spoke about the superintendent search, emphasizing the value of hiring local leaders who understand Hudson and have roots in the community. She noted that under superintendents Jack Howe and Maria Sotmier, staff morale was high and student success followed. She expressed concern that HYA did not follow through on community engagement during the last search and questioned whether stakeholder input would be honored this time.
Key points
- Speaker is a 1996 graduate of Hudson High School and has worked with the district for 16 years
- Under superintendents Neil Howard, Jack Howe, and Maria Sotmier, the district thrived with high staff morale and strong student outcomes
- Since Sotmier's retirement, graduation rates have declined, morale has suffered, and staff turnover has been high
- During the previous HYA search, stakeholders emphasized hiring local candidates, but the process resulted in hiring an out-of-state superintendent
- HYA assured participants it would follow up with the community after the hire, but that follow-up never occurred
- Speaker urged the board to prioritize local candidates who know Hudson and are invested in the community
The speaker raised concerns that during the last superintendent search led by HYA, community input was not fully honored and follow-up engagement did not occur.
Superintendent report: state test scores and school improvement
Dr. Bailey reported that New York State test scores released recently show general improvement statewide, and Hudson students followed that trend in many areas, particularly in English Language Arts. However, the district's students still underperform compared to the state average. The junior high and elementary schools are identified as targeted schools, meaning they performed in the bottom 10% statewide. Dr. Bailey emphasized the need to focus on a limited number of clear goals, track progress throughout the year, and make mid-course corrections rather than waiting until October to see how students performed.
Key points
- State test scores released in recent months show general improvement across New York; Hudson students followed that trend, especially in ELA
- Hudson students still underperform compared to the state average
- Junior high and elementary schools are targeted schools (bottom 10% statewide)
- To exit targeted status, the district must perform 1% or better than other bottom 10% schools
- Dr. Bailey emphasized focusing on a limited number of goals, tracking progress throughout the year, and adjusting strategies as needed
- Presentations from building principals in the fall will be followed by mid-year progress reports in the coming weeks
- High school is working on attendance, improving graduation rate, Regents scores, and restorative practices
- Staff are committed and care deeply about students; improvement requires clear focus and ongoing accountability
Building principals will present mid-year progress updates on their goals in the coming weeks.
Superintendent report: executive director for curriculum and instruction
Dr. Bailey recommended that the board post the executive director for curriculum and instruction position in April, so candidates are ready for interviews by the new superintendent in May. He will share a job description with the board before the February meeting.
Key points
- Position to be posted in April at the latest
- Candidates will be ready for interviews by the selected superintendent in May
- Job description will be shared with the board before the February meeting
Job description for executive director for curriculum and instruction will be shared with the board before February.
Board questions: shared decision-making and tutoring programs
Board member Diana Howard asked about shared decision-making teams at the junior high school and tutoring programs. Dr. Bailey explained that both the junior high and elementary schools have teams working on building-level response plans and data review, though they may not fit the traditional shared decision-making model. He noted that after-school programs for struggling students are being developed at both schools, and tutors for migrant students are being hired through a title grant. He agreed to find out what the menu of interventions includes and share it with the board.
Key points
- Junior high and elementary schools have teams working on building-level response plans and reviewing data
- Teams may not fully match traditional shared decision-making structure (parents, support staff, teachers, administrators)
- After-school programs for academically struggling students are being developed at elementary and junior high schools
- Tutors for migrant students (about 63 in the district) are being hired through a title grant
- Dr. Bailey agreed to review the multi-tiered system of support (MTSS) menu of interventions and share it with the board
- Student asked about test prep and Regents tutoring for middle-tier students who may not qualify for existing programs
Dr. Bailey will review the MTSS menu of interventions and share it with the board.
Consent agenda and new staff welcome
The board approved consent agenda items with one item (N) pulled for a separate vote. The board congratulated Kayla Carpenter on receiving tenure and welcomed new Spanish teacher Katie Gagan, who will teach at both the junior high and high school.
Key points
- Consent items A through M and O through Z approved unanimously
- Item N approved separately
- Kayla Carpenter granted tenure
- Katie Gagan joins the district as a Spanish teacher for junior high and high school; lived in dual cultures from ages 9-16, studied Hispanic civilizations and language at Rutgers, passionate about animals and animal rescue
Policy: first reading of student wellness policy
The board reviewed the first reading of policy 5405 and 5405E, student wellness. This required policy addresses nutrition, physical activity, recess, and healthy habits. The board discussed how guidelines for healthy snacks and classroom celebrations would be communicated to teachers and parents, and whether dietary limitations would be addressed.
Key points
- Policy covers food served in schools, recess, physical activity, and wellness
- Wellness committee helped adapt state and NYSED recommendations for the district
- Policy encourages but does not mandate that parents bring healthy snacks to classroom celebrations
- District will provide guidelines and recommendations to parents for healthy alternatives
- Board asked how the policy will be communicated to teachers, especially around fundraisers and classroom parties
- Board member suggested adding language about dietary limitations and how those are accommodated
Wellness committee will develop materials and guidelines for parents on healthy snacks and classroom celebrations.
Board member suggested adding language about accommodating dietary limitations; the board will bring this feedback to the wellness committee.
Policy: first reading of school district records policies
The board reviewed first readings of the 1120 series policies on school district records. Changes included consistent language, clarifying the records access officer role, updating the appeals process, correcting district clerk working hours, and setting a 25-cent-per-page fee for paper reproductions of records.
Key points
- Consistent language across the 1120 series
- Records access officer role clarified
- Appeals process updated; superintendent designated as appeals officer
- District clerk working hours corrected
- Fee for paper reproductions set at 25 cents per page (though most requests are fulfilled digitally)
Policy: first reading of booster organization policy
The board reviewed the first reading of policy 1222, relationship with booster organizations. This new policy clarifies the relationship between the district and booster clubs, PTOs, and other community-organized school support groups.
Key points
- New policy clarifies when organizations can say they are acting on behalf of the school district
- Provides clear guidelines for booster clubs, PTOs, and other support organizations
- Ensures organizations follow district guidelines when representing the school
Policy: third reading and adoption of expense reimbursement policy
The board adopted policy 6830 and 6830R on expense reimbursement after a third reading. Changes include cleaning up language, clarifying reimbursement processes, and requiring that reimbursements be submitted within 60 days of the expense.
Key points
- Policy adopted on third reading
- Language cleaned up to clarify reimbursement process
- Reimbursements must be submitted within 60 days of the expense
Policy: adoption of facilities committee charter and internet safety policy
The board adopted the facilities committee charter (policy 7000E1) and the internet safety policy (4526.1 and 4526.1R) after second readings. The board discussed expanding facilities committee membership at the next committee meeting.
Key points
- Facilities committee charter adopted as policy 7000E1
- Board will discuss expanding facilities committee membership at the next meeting
- Internet safety policy 4526.1 and 4526.1R adopted; updates include correcting the title of the manager of instructional technology and removing references to outdated technology
Facilities committee will discuss expanding membership at its next meeting.
Superintendent search: process overview and timeline
Board President DePace outlined the superintendent search process and timeline. The board selected Dr. Kweeta Adams from HYA as the search consultant because of her familiarity with the district and proximity to Hudson. The search will include a community survey, focus groups, semi-finalist interviews with a confidential stakeholder group, and a target of a public announcement in June.
Key points
- Dr. Kweeta Adams selected as search consultant; she lives in Albany and has worked with the district previously
- Search will be confidential with a stakeholder interview committee, similar to the 2021 search
- Community engagement will include a survey in English, Spanish, and Bengali, plus focus groups for administrators, teachers, support staff, students, families, and community members
- Survey will ask respondents to identify priorities for the next superintendent and will track responses by role (parent, staff, student, community member, etc.)
- Board members will be interviewed individually to avoid a quorum
- Focus groups will include translation services for Spanish and Bengali speakers, plus Wordly translation for other languages
- Position will be advertised through package one (base advertising) plus the northeast add-on to reach all superintendents in NYSED Region 3 (Capital Region, Mid-Hudson, includes parts of New Jersey and Connecticut)
- District will create a brochure and promotional video, and send mailers to area administrators
- Timeline: board interviews in next two weeks, position posted early February, survey and focus groups begin shortly after, leadership profile presentation in late winter, candidate slate presented in April, initial interviews in April, semi-finalist interviews with board and stakeholder group in spring, finalist interviews and public announcement in June, new superintendent starts in July or August
Community survey will be distributed in early February in English, Spanish, and Bengali. Focus groups will begin shortly thereafter.
The board chose Dr. Kweeta Adams from HYA because of her familiarity with the district and her proximity to Hudson (she lives in Albany), not because of the firm affiliation.
Board discussion: search timeline and community engagement
Board members discussed the superintendent search timeline and the decision to conduct a confidential search with stakeholder interviews. Board President DePace emphasized that the board instructed the consultant to make community engagement as robust as possible, and that the confidential process is key to attracting the largest pool of candidates. One board member shared a story about a superintendent who drove over an hour to work for seven years before moving to the district, noting that qualified candidates from outside the immediate area may still be willing to commit to Hudson.
Key points
- Board chose a confidential search with stakeholder interviews to balance community engagement and attracting the largest candidate pool
- Board instructed the consultant to make community engagement robust
- One board member noted that qualified candidates from outside Hudson may still be willing to move to or commute to the district
- Six to eight districts in the immediate area are also searching for superintendents, which will make the search more competitive
Board goals and activity calendar
The board adopted its goals for the 2025-26 school year after a third reading. The board also reviewed its activity calendar, which includes upcoming budget presentations, special education presentations, grants overview, MTSS presentation, Panorama survey results, and NYSED data review. The board discussed the need for special meetings to fit all the work into the remaining five to six meetings before the end of the school year.
Key points
- Board goals for 2025-26 adopted
- Activity calendar includes budget presentations, community budget workshop, pre-capital project presentation, NYSED data deep dive, special education presentation, grants overview, MTSS presentation, Panorama survey results, and technology plans
- Board noted that there are only five to six regular meetings remaining before the end of the school year
- Board discussed scheduling special meetings to accommodate all planned presentations and discussions
Board will schedule special meetings as needed to accommodate budget presentations, superintendent search work, and other planned discussions.
Questar III board nomination
The board discussed nominating Mary Daly for a fourth three-year term on the Questar III board. Daly has served on the Questar III board for three terms and previously served on the Hudson City School District Board of Education. The board will bring a resolution to officially nominate her at the February meeting.
Key points
- Mary Daly nominated for a fourth three-year term on the Questar III board
- Daly previously served on the Hudson City School District Board of Education
- Board will bring a resolution to officially nominate her in February
Resolution to nominate Mary Daly to the Questar III board will be on the February agenda.
Public comment: meeting schedule and bi-weekly meetings
Communications Director Laura Bender suggested the board consider returning to a bi-weekly meeting schedule rather than monthly meetings, noting that the once-a-month schedule can create anxiety as work piles up before meetings. The board discussed the pros and cons of both schedules and agreed to revisit the question when planning next year's calendar.
Key points
- Laura Bender suggested returning to a bi-weekly meeting schedule
- Monthly meetings can create anxiety as work piles up
- Board discussed pros and cons: monthly meetings reduce time commitment but limit how often board members can discuss issues together
- Board agreed to discuss meeting schedule options when planning next year's calendar, possibly finding a middle ground with some months having two meetings
PILOT agreement information item
The board reviewed a payment-in-lieu-of-taxes (PILOT) agreement for a property in the city of Hudson. The board has no say in PILOT approvals, which are determined by the city of Hudson IDA, but the board is adding these agreements to its agenda to keep a record and track when they expire, which is necessary for accurate tax cap calculations.
Key points
- PILOT agreements are approved by the city of Hudson IDA, not the school board
- Board is adding PILOTs to its agenda to keep a record and track expiration dates
- Accurate PILOT data is necessary to calculate the school district's tax cap
- This PILOT is a 10-year agreement starting at $34,500 and ending at $78,000
Every PILOT in the district must be accounted for to accurately calculate the school district's tax cap.
Adjournment and second executive session
The board entered a second executive session at 8:11 p.m. to discuss the employment history of particular persons, proposed real property transactions, and collective bargaining. No further business was conducted after the executive session.
Key points
- Board entered executive session at 8:11 p.m.
- Topics: employment history, real property transactions, collective bargaining
- No further business after executive session
About this page
FUTURE HUDSON is an experiment in civic engagement: every public meeting of the City of Hudson since January 2026, transcribed and made readable, so any resident can follow what the city is deciding without attending every meeting. This page covers one meeting; see the full archive.
How it was made
The meeting video was transcribed automatically; the transcript was then organized into sections and summarized. The raw transcript is above, every claim can be checked against it.
What to be skeptical of
The transcript is automated and contains speech-recognition errors; names and numbers may be wrong. This page has not been reviewed by a human. Nothing here is an official record, the school district's official minutes are authoritative.
About coverage of this body
Board of Education meetings are livestreamed by the Hudson City School District to its own YouTube channel. The school district is a separate government from the City of Hudson. If a meeting is missing from the archive, the recording was likely not posted. See the archive index for the full coverage note.