At a glance
The Board of Education voted Monday to adopt a 2026-27 budget of $59.2 million with a 5.8% tax levy increase, restoring six positions cut the previous week but still eliminating 20 staff positions to close a $6.3 million gap. Superintendent Dr. Frank Bailey presented a revenue plan warning that the district is drawing down reserves and fund balance to unsustainable levels: if the pattern continues, the unassigned fund balance will be gone by 2028. Community members, nearly all district staff, testified in anguish about the proposed cuts, which fall disproportionately on the elementary level: four classroom teachers, two reading specialists, two speech pathologists, two school psychologists, and 15 aides. The budget goes to voters May 19. A no vote triggers a contingency budget and an immediate additional $600,000 in cuts.
Pledge, roll call, student report
The board convened at 6:30 PM with all members present. Student representative reported on recent and upcoming activities: the band recorded at Utopia Studios, Clearwater field trip Thursday, Seal of Biliteracy presentations, Envirothon competition, Mock Trial awaiting county results, and AP exams starting soon.
Key points
- Board member Mark DePace attended remotely from Cleveland, Ohio.
- The band recorded at Utopia Studios in Bearsville.
- High school students have a Clearwater field trip Thursday.
- Seal of Biliteracy presentations begin Thursday and Friday.
- Mock Trial competed three times and awaits county results.
- A multicultural festival is planned for May 15.
- The class of 2027 is hosting a golf tournament.
- AP exams begin in the next week or two.
Board and president reports
Committee reports: Audit has not met since March 9. Facilities meets May 18. Policy is working through updates to the manual and a revised draft code of conduct will go to community focus groups in May. Finance has not met, the board held budget workshops instead. Board president thanked staff and community members for input during the budget process.
Key points
- Policy committee completed reviews of policy sections 0 and 9000, edits go to the attorney then to first read next month.
- The code of conduct subcommittee will finalize a revised draft in May and gather input from student, staff, and family focus groups in June.
- Board president thanked Dr. Bailey, Ms. Berry, and administrators for work during budget season.
- Board president thanked community members who wrote letters or spoke at meetings.
Budget presentation: reserves and fund balance
Dr. Bailey and Ms. Berry presented the seventh iteration of the 2026-27 budget. The board had tasked them to find an additional $300,000 in revenue or cuts. Dr. Bailey opened with a detailed explanation of the district's reserves and unassigned fund balance, both of which are being drawn down to unsustainable levels.
Key points
- The district used $3 million from reserves and fund balance to balance the 2025-26 budget, meaning expenses exceeded revenue by $3 million.
- For 2026-27, estimated expenses are $63 million against a proposed $59.2 million budget. The $6.3 million gap is being closed by $4 million in cuts and $2.3 million from reserves and fund balance.
- Combined reserves have dropped from $7.2 million in 2023 to a projected $4 million in 2026, below the comptroller's recommended $7.7 million.
- Unassigned fund balance rose to $5.6 million in 2025 (end of COVID funds), will drop to $3.7 million in 2026 if $1.9 million is used as proposed. If the same draw continues, fund balance will be zero by 2028.
- Dr. Bailey urged a spending freeze starting next year: every dollar saved preserves jobs in 2027 and 2028.
- Health insurance alone increased $1.5 million, equivalent to 10% of the tax levy because the state did not increase aid.
If the district continues using $1.9 million per year from unassigned fund balance, it will be depleted by 2028. Dr. Bailey: 'Every single dollar will save someone's job next year or the year after.'
Budget presentation: $300,000 found, six positions restored
The board asked for an additional $300,000 to restore positions. Administration found it through $100,000 from fund balance and $200,000 in additional operational cuts, reinstating two instructional staff and four aides. Total staff reductions now 20 positions (down from 26 last week).
Key points
- Two instructional positions restored ($180,000), four aide positions restored ($120,000).
- Additional $94,000 cut from software budget (already cut $80,000 last week, now $174,000 total cut from a $200,000-$210,000 line).
- Moving more software to BOCES may yield further savings and generate state aid (36 cents per dollar spent).
- Final reduction total: $4.03 million in cuts, down from $4.13 million last week.
- Dr. Bailey: 'This budget is tight. You will continue to have hard decisions. When you have to create a special program or add a bus route or add a staff member, you're likely going to have to reduce something.'
Dr. Bailey explicitly warned the board: the budget is so tight that any unanticipated expense (new program, bus route, student placement) will require cutting something else to pay for it.
Central office reductions: five executive positions to two
Dr. Bailey clarified that central office has been reduced from five executive-level positions (plus the superintendent) in July 2025 to two by July 2026, a $402,500 savings. One building-level administrator will also be cut. The junior and senior high will consolidate under one principal, two associate principals, and part-time deans.
Key points
- The district began 2025-26 with five executive-level positions. One vacant position was eliminated in the fall. The move to BOCES for IT and other consolidation cut three more. By July 2026: two executive positions remain.
- Building consolidation: junior and senior high will operate under one principal, two associate principals, and part-time deans (to be discussed with labor units). Savings: $187,000.
- Dr. Bailey sought state permission to consolidate buildings after the March 1 deadline. The state is receptive given fiscal challenges.
- Consolidation benefits cited: shared resources, better communication between grades 6-12, eliminating the invisible wall between eighth and ninth grade, and streamlining discipline support.
The state education department must approve the junior-senior high consolidation. Dr. Bailey reported the state is willing to help given the district's fiscal challenges.
Tax levy options and vote
Ms. Berry presented two tax levy options: 5.8% at the cap (simple majority to pass) or 6.94% above the cap (requires 60% supermajority). Both balance the $59.2 million budget. The board discussed the risk of failure and contingency. The board voted unanimously to adopt the 5.8% levy.
Key points
- Option 1 (at cap): 5.8% levy increase, uses $1.889 million from fund balance, requires simple majority to pass. For a $200,000 home, annual increase is $107.88, or $8.99 per month.
- Option 2 (above cap): 6.94% levy increase, adds $300,000 in revenue, uses $1.589 million from fund balance, requires 60% vote. For a $200,000 home, annual increase is $129.96, or $10.83 per month.
- Last year, the budget passed with 60.4% yes votes on a 3.5% increase.
- If the budget fails twice and goes to contingency, the district must cut an additional $600,000 (to stay under the prior year's $58.5 million total) and face restrictions: no equipment purchases, no raises for non-union administrators, board must approve nearly every expense.
- Board members expressed concern that going above the cap risks failure and contingency. All agreed to go with 5.8% to give the budget the best chance of passing on the first vote.
If the budget fails twice, it goes to contingency. That triggers an immediate additional $600,000 in cuts, equipment is removed from the budget, and the board loses discretion over most spending. The board does not want this outcome.
Public comment: elementary staff and community
Seven community members spoke, nearly all district staff. The overwhelming message: the proposed cuts fall disproportionately on the elementary level and will devastate the youngest learners. Speakers called the cuts a moral and ethical failure.
Key points
- Nikki Genito (aides union president): the children carry enormous weight into school every day, the people being cut are the ones they trust. Called for removing the consultant agreement from the agenda (could hire a treasurer for less) and warned that bare-bones budgets leave no room for the unexpected.
- Lori Campbell (elementary reading specialist, 2003 grad): thanked Dr. Bailey for his humanistic leadership. Detailed the elementary cuts: four classroom teachers, two reading specialists, two speech pathologists, two school psychologists, 15 aides. All educational research supports putting the bulk of resources at the elementary level, yet Hudson is placing the burden on its youngest learners. Spoke emotionally about the baby Blue Hawks who come in at 4 and 5 years old with bright smiles and big backpacks, some also carrying hunger and uncertainty. Asked the board repeatedly, 'How?' and stated that providing support at the elementary level is an act of compassion and equity.
- Trish Rapant (yielded her three minutes to Lori Campbell).
- Melissa Brown (first grade teacher, 28 years): the cuts are disproportionate. 25% of ENL, 20% of elementary classrooms, at least 15% of AIS, 20% of speech. One administrative position cut could save seven or eight aides. Asked the board to consider who has the most face time with kids from 7:30 to 3:30. Fewer aides means less supervision at recess and lunch, less small-group time in primary classrooms. Aides are the backbone.
- Shannon Sullivan (teacher and taxpayer): specials classrooms look like 22 students on paper, but with special ed push-ins become 28 or 29. Asked the board to consider the real impact on programming. Emphasized that a no vote is not an opinion, it is a vote to cut more money. Urged the community to understand that. Also noted that teachers went to Albany to advocate for increased state aid with Senator Barrett and Assemblymember Hinchey, and asked the board to reintegrate positions if state funds come back.
- Lloyd Couding (resident, 5 years): the board has a sell. Whatever budget is chosen, the board must sell it to voters. Advised the board to own up to the problem in front of taxpayers: if you don't own it, they won't trust you. Suggested saying there was a situation, someone dropped the ball, it won't happen again. Urged teachers to get out and speak to voters and get them to the polls.
The cuts fall disproportionately on the elementary level: four classroom teachers, two reading specialists, two speech pathologists, two school psychologists, 15 aides. Staff testified that this violates educational best practice, which calls for concentrating resources at the elementary level to build a strong foundation.
Shannon Sullivan: 'A no vote is not an opinion. A no vote means I want to cut money from the Hudson City School District budget.' If the budget fails twice, it goes to contingency and an additional $600,000 is cut.
Adoption of the 2026-27 budget
The board voted unanimously to adopt the $59.2 million budget with a 5.8% tax levy increase. Board member Amanda Grubler added remarks clarifying that the superintendent, not the board, decides where specific positions are restored or cut, and urged the community to advocate to the state because flat state aid is a cut to schools.
Key points
- Motion passed unanimously.
- Amanda Grubler: the superintendent decides where specific aides or instructional positions are placed, not the board. Dr. Bailey is working with unions and staff over the next few weeks to finalize decisions. Urged the community to advocate to state representatives (Didi Barrett, Michelle Hinchey) because flat state aid is harming schools.
- Budget goes to voters May 19, 11 AM to 8 PM.
May 19, 11 AM-8 PM, at three polling locations. The budget requires a simple majority to pass. If it fails twice, the district goes to contingency and must cut an additional $600,000.
Policy adoptions and vote process
The board adopted seven policies on second reading (inventories, HIV/AIDS, diversity equity inclusion, sexual harassment policies) and rescinded three obsolete sexual harassment policies. Also adopted the student wellness policy on fourth reading. Discussed the May 19 vote process: the meeting will start at 7 PM (not 8 PM), and the vote count will be done in a quiet office setting rather than live in the meeting room. Results will be announced after all three polling places report and the count is verified.
Key points
- Policies adopted: 6640 inventories, 0150 HIV/AIDS, 0105 diversity equity inclusion, 0110 sexual harassment, 0110.2 sexual harassment in the workplace, 5405 student wellness.
- Rescinded: 0110.1 sexual harassment of students, 0110.1R regulation, 0110.2R sexual harassment of employees regulation.
- Vote process change: last year's count was disorganized and created voter distrust. This year, the count will be done quietly by the district clerk with one other person, verified, and announced when complete. The YouTube feed will not show the count in progress. A written protocol will be shared with the public beforehand.
- Meeting will start at 7 PM (not 8 PM) to allow time for business before the vote count.
The board will meet at 7 PM on May 19, conduct regular business, then adjourn while the district clerk counts votes from the three polling places in a quiet office. When the count is complete and verified, the superintendent or board president will announce the results. A written protocol will be shared with the public in advance to maintain transparency and voter confidence.
Superintendent search update and upcoming dates
Mark DePace reported on the superintendent search: 29 qualified applicants, narrowed to nine for early May interviews. A search committee of administrators, faculty, staff, students, and community members will interview semi-finalists at the end of May. Dr. Adams will present the leadership profile and survey results May 5. Board also voted on BOCES administrative budget and board seats. Upcoming dates include budget hearing May 5, board meetings May 6 related to the search, and vote day May 19.
Key points
- 29 qualified applicants for superintendent, narrowed to nine for interviews in early May.
- Search committee of administrators, faculty, staff, students, and community members will interview semi-finalists at the end of May.
- Dr. Adams presents leadership profile and survey results to the board and community May 5.
- The board unanimously approved the BOCES 2026-27 administrative budget of $7.7 million and voted for four candidates for BOCES board seats.
- Important dates: Apr 23 voter registration, Apr 29 board candidate petitions due, May 3 board meeting (search), May 5 budget hearing, May 6 board meeting (search), May 12 policy committee, May 18 facilities committee, May 19 vote day (11 AM-8 PM), May 19 board meeting (results), May 26 and 27 board meetings (search).
Nine candidates will be interviewed in early May. Semi-finalists will be interviewed by a search committee of administrators, staff, students, and community members at the end of May. Outreach for community members begins in the next two weeks.
Recognition and adjournment
Dr. Bailey recognized Cheryl Rabinowitz as the longest-seated district leader (more than four years, since Marie Spotmeyer left). She will take on the consolidated role of manager of curriculum, instruction, and technology in July. The board also thanked Michael and Tammy Johnson for donating bussing for the boys basketball sectional and state run. The board entered executive session at 8:05 PM with no further business after.
Key points
- Cheryl Rabinowitz is the longest-seated district leader, has provided continuity during years of turnover, and led transformation of instructional technology. She will take on the consolidated curriculum, instruction, and technology role in July.
- Michael and Tammy Johnson (Michael S. Johnson LLC) donated bussing for the boys basketball team during their sectional and state playoff run.
- Board members reported on student events: all-county concert, art exhibit at Columbia Greene, elementary blossom ball, third grade trip to the Science and Technology Museum in Schenectady, sixth grade Nature's Classroom fundraiser.
- Board entered executive session at 8:05 PM.
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.
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