Hudson voters approved the majority of the Hudson School District’s warrant articles last week, including most items with a monetary impact. Only one collective bargaining agreement failed, and all proposed capital projects were approved by wide margins.
The district’s Operating Budget passed comfortably, 1,994 to 755. The $72,166,427 budget carries an estimated tax rate impact of 79 cents. School officials had emphasized throughout the budget season that the proposal reflected rising costs in salaries, benefits, transportation, and special education services.
Voters also approved the collective bargaining agreement between the Hudson School Board and the Para-educators, Support Staff, and Related Personnel (PSRPs). The agreement passed 1,882 to 875. The contract is expected to have a tax rate impact of 7 cents in the first year and 6 cents in the second year.
Article 3, the proposed collective bargaining agreement between the School Board and AFSCME, was the only major article to fail. According to the tentative results, the vote was extremely close, with 1,364 in favor and 1,368 opposed, a difference of just four votes. The narrow margin means the union and the district will likely need to revisit negotiations before next year’s budget cycle.
Article 4, the collective bargaining agreement with the Teamsters, passed 1,679 to 1,059. The contract carries a modest tax impact: 1 cent in the first year and 2 cents in each of the following two years.
Voters also supported several capital improvement articles aimed at maintaining school facilities. Article 5, which funds the replacement of 52 windows at Hudson Memorial School, passed overwhelmingly, 2,106 to 639. The project carries an estimated tax rate impact of 3 cents.
Article 6, the replacement of the fire alarm panel at Alvirne High School, passed by the widest margin of the day, 2,423 to 332. Because the project will be funded through the June 30 fund balance, it has no tax rate impact.
Article 7, the renovation of a science lab at Hudson Memorial School, also passed easily, 2,252 to 566. Like the fire alarm project, it will be funded through the year end fund balance and will not affect the tax rate.
Article 8, which funds the purchase of a district wide facilities HVAC vehicle, passed 2,045 to 701. This article also uses the year end fund balance and carries no tax impact.
Voters additionally approved two capital reserve fund contributions. Article 9, adding funds to the Capital Reserve School Renovation Fund, passed 1,875 to 889. Article 10, adding funds to the Alvirne Farm Capital Reserve Fund, passed 1,929 to 820. Both articles draw from the end of year fund balance rather than taxation.
Overall, Hudson voters showed strong support for maintaining school facilities and funding most district operations, while narrowly rejecting one labor contract. The results set the stage for the district’s financial planning heading into the next fiscal year.
