At a glance
The Hudson City School District Board of Education held its regular meeting on May 5, 2026. The board heard presentations from the Clay Target Club and Parents for a Healthy Hudson, received updates on the superintendent search, and held a public hearing on the proposed 2026-27 budget. The $59 million budget includes a 5.8% tax levy increase at the state cap, $3.9 million in staff reductions, and draws on reserves to close a gap driven by health insurance costs and flat state aid. The board approved the leadership profile and survey results from the search consultant, with second-round superintendent interviews scheduled for late May. The budget vote and board election are set for May 19.
Student Report and Upcoming Events
Student board member Lebona Prova reported on spring activities, including the Envirothon team advancing to states, the junior high spring concert, and the multicultural festival.
Key points
- The Envirothon team won regionals, taking best in the county and best overall out of 22 teams, and will compete at states May 27-28
- The high school junior high band and choir spring concert is scheduled for June 11
- The multicultural festival will take place next week
- The class of 2026 celebrated Decisions Day, with seniors accepted to prestigious colleges and universities
- AP testing has begun, and the NHS induction is scheduled for May 8
- Three students attended the Puerto Rican Hispanic Youth Leadership Institute, with two receiving scholarships
- Student council will host Meet the Board Candidates Night on May 13 at 6 PM
Committee Reports
Board members reported on committee activities. Policy Committee has two meetings scheduled for next week, including a Code of Conduct meeting.
Key points
- Audit Committee has not met but will schedule a meeting soon
- Facilities Committee will meet May 18 at 5 PM
- Policy Committee will meet twice next week: Code of Conduct meeting on Monday and regular policy meeting on Tuesday
- Finance Committee has not met but will resume regular meetings after the budget process
Board President's Report and Teacher Appreciation
Board President Mark DePace reported on meetings with Mayor Ferris and State Representative Didi Barrett to discuss the budget situation, and recognized Teacher Appreciation Week.
Key points
- DePace met with Mayor Ferris and State Representative Didi Barrett to discuss the district's budget challenges
- Barrett expressed support and will advocate at the state level
- The board recognized Teacher Appreciation Week, praising teachers for supporting students through attendance at games, organizing events, and participating in board meetings
Clay Target Club Presentation
Coach Joe Miszone and members of the Hudson Blue Hawk Clay Target Club presented on their inaugural season, including community partnerships, fundraising, and competitive results.
Key points
- The club started in fall 2025 with 12 members, half of whom had never touched a firearm before joining
- The team has 50 local business and sportsmen's club sponsors
- Members practiced weekly at Hudson Fish and Game Club, even in 20-degree weather in January and February
- The team placed third in their conference (Class 1, Conference 6) competing virtually against six other small schools
- Two members, eighth grader Anthony Malchow and tenth grader Colton Bloomer, achieved 25 straight hits
- The team received a $3,000 grant from the Columbia County Sportsman's Association
- The team will compete at the state championship in Bridgeport, New York on June 5
- A team awards luncheon is scheduled for June 14 at Hudson Fish and Game Club
- The club operates under a memo of agreement for this year and requests board and union support to extend it for a full school year beginning fall 2026
The club currently operates under a one-year memo of agreement. The coach requested that the board and HTA work together to extend it for a full school year beginning in fall 2026.
Parents for a Healthy Hudson Garden Proposal
Parents for a Healthy Hudson presented a proposal to create outdoor learning spaces and gardens at the elementary school, supported by a survey showing 100% teacher support.
Key points
- The group surveyed 34 elementary school teachers, with 100% supporting more outdoor learning spaces
- Nearly half of respondents want to be directly involved in planning and implementing outdoor learning
- Teachers requested picnic tables, seating areas, writing utensils, and storage to make transitions quicker
- The group proposed developing the north end paddock area between the two entrances to the original school building
- The design includes an outdoor classroom, amphitheater-style seating, accessible picnic tables, garden beds, planter boxes, all-weather storage cabinets, and native plant habitat
- The group has secured interest from funders, including Slow Food Hudson Valley, which announced funds for the Hudson Elementary School garden at a recent fundraiser
- Representatives from Didi Barrett's and Michelle Hinchey's offices have reached out and will meet this week
- The group is seeking grant funding and private donors, with no cost to the district budget
- The proposal includes a phased timeline: immediate placement of benches and tables, 3-6 months to engage an architect and secure funding, 6-12 months to review partnerships, and 1-2 years to build phase one
- The group emphasized the project as a PR opportunity, creating a visible demonstration that Hudson cares about its students
- Slow Food Hudson Valley announced funding for the Hudson Elementary School garden
- State representatives Didi Barrett and Michelle Hinchey have expressed interest
- Utopia Foundation, Berkshire Taconic, and private donors are potential funding sources
- Cornell Cooperative Extension and School Partners in Gardening (a past multi-district project) were suggested as resources
Parents for a Healthy Hudson meets most Fridays from 8 to 9 AM at the Roastery. Community members are welcome to join in person or virtually.
Superintendent Search Update
Dr. Adams from HYA presented progress on the superintendent search, including focus group results, the leadership profile, and the interview process.
Key points
- The search process included eight individual board member interviews, 12 focus groups with 83 participants, and 301 survey responses
- Highest priorities from focus groups were communication and transparency, rebuilding trust and morale, academic improvement, instructional focus, and accountability systems
- Essential leadership traits identified were transparent communicator, visible and accessible leader, trust builder with integrity, accountability driven, and student centered decision maker
- The board reviewed 29 applicants and selected nine for first-round interviews, which were held on Sunday, May 3
- Second-round interviews will include a stakeholder community interview, a board presentation, a narrative writing sample, and a SWOT analysis presentation
- Key evaluation areas for candidates include financial acumen, systems and operations, academic improvement strategies, leadership visibility, equity and ethical leadership, staff culture and morale, and commitment and longevity
- The board approved the leadership profile and community survey results
- The interview committee will include around 14 to 15 people representing major bargaining units, staff, faculty, students, and the broader community
- Second-round interviews are scheduled for May 26 and May 27 (if needed)
- Final selection, contract negotiation, and board approval will occur in June
- The new superintendent is expected to start in July or August
- A community meet and greet will be held in June after the board approves the selection
Budget Presentation and Public Hearing
Interim Superintendent Dr. Bailey presented the proposed 2026-27 budget, a $59 million spending plan with a 5.8% tax levy increase and $3.9 million in reductions, followed by a public hearing.
Key points
- The budget gap is driven by $1.3 million in health insurance cost increases, the end of a $1.2 million federal grant, and flat state aid (a $90,000 increase on a $26.5 million base, or 0.03%)
- The district reduced expenses by nearly $4 million to avoid an unsustainable tax levy increase
- Reductions targeted vacant positions first, then consolidated leadership (eliminating three of five executive-level positions), and preserved classroom teachers as much as possible
- The consolidation of junior and senior high schools saved $186,000 in leadership and services
- Class sizes will increase slightly at the elementary school, with the largest class at 22 students
- No programs are being cut; the district will deliver the same services and programs to students
- The budget uses $1.8 million from assigned fund balance and $500,000 from reserves as revenue sources
- State aid remains roughly flat at $26.5 million, representing about 45% of the budget; the local tax levy is $28.2 million, about 48%
- The proposed tax levy increase is 5.8%, at the state cap
- For a $200,000 home in Greenport, the annual tax increase is approximately $100
- If the budget is defeated, the board could revote with the same or adjusted budget, or adopt a contingency budget that would require an additional $902,000 in reductions, including potential cuts to athletics, extracurriculars, equipment purchases, and building usage
The district has experienced multiple leadership turnovers over the past five to seven years, which has made it difficult to maintain continuity in budgeting practices. The current budget challenges are not the result of any individual currently working in the district.
When state aid stays flat and expenses like health insurance increase by roughly 4%, the effective burden on taxpayers doubles to approximately 8% because the state does not absorb any of the increase.
A contingency budget would reduce spending by $902,000, eliminate athletics and extracurriculars, prohibit equipment purchases (including technology), close buildings to public use (pool, fields, cafeterias, gyms), and serve as the baseline for the following year's budget, compounding future challenges.
Public Comment on Budget
Two speakers addressed the board during the budget hearing, urging the community to advocate for full state aid funding and praising the district's work.
Key points
- A union member urged the public to contact state legislators to advocate for full state aid funding, noting it is unfair that school districts must create budgets before the state passes its own budget
- NYSUT and local unions have been knocking on doors in Albany to advocate for students
- A parent suggested relying on parent volunteers to help with cafeteria supervision and composting programs, noting that parent involvement improves student behavior and strengthens community connections
Superintendent's Report
Dr. Bailey reported on spring testing, attendance efforts, and an upcoming letter to families about the use of threatening language.
Key points
- The district completed 3-8 ELA testing last week, with some statewide glitches resolved; junior high math testing is scheduled for Thursday and Friday
- Science testing and June Regents exams are upcoming
- Bailey will send a letter to all families urging them to speak with their children about never using the word gun in conversation, anger, or threats, following several incidents down to pre-K level
- An attendance task force committee meeting was held at the elementary school, led by Principal Brenneman, with community partners, building leaders, and staff
- The district has shown growth in student attendance this year; the focus is on communicating that attendance is essential and families are partners in this work
- Ideas discussed include kickoffs for the beginning of the year, open houses, and ongoing partnerships
- The district's budget newsletter is ready to go to press and should be mailed over the weekend, reaching homes by early next week
The newsletter is bulk mail, which can take longer to deliver because mail carriers prioritize stamped mail going to specific addresses. The district hopes for goodwill from postal carriers to ensure timely delivery two weeks before the vote.
Consent Agenda and Board Business
The board approved the consent agenda, including a new small animal science and care course, and formally adopted the superintendent search documents.
Key points
- The board approved the consent agenda, which includes the application for the adoption of a small animal science and care course
- The board formally adopted the HYA superintendent survey report and the HYA superintendent leadership profile
- The interview committee for the superintendent search will include around 14 to 15 people representing all major bargaining units, staff, faculty, students, and the community
Announcements and Upcoming Meetings
Board members shared announcements about recent and upcoming events, including the Book Festival and the junior high dance.
Key points
- The Book Festival was a success with good attendance and author visits that students found meaningful
- The junior high dance was well attended, with teachers and PTO members helping to set up and organize
- The junior high PTO is looking for more volunteers to help with events and activities
- May 12: Policy Committee meeting, 5 to 7 PM, high school library
- May 18: Facilities Committee meeting, 5 PM, district office conference room
- May 19: Budget vote and board election, 11 AM to 8 PM, followed by board meeting at 7 or 8 PM in the high school auditorium
- May 26: Board meeting in executive session for superintendent semi-finalist interviews, 5:30 PM
- May 27: Standby date for additional superintendent interviews if needed
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.