On Dec. 3, the Hudson Budget Committee received its first presentation on the 2026–2027 school budget from the Hudson School District (SAU81). Superintendent Dr. Daniel Moulis outlined priorities for the upcoming year and explained key drivers behind the proposed spending plan.
“There are some key areas here that are outlined,” said Moulis. “The first is finalizing a new five-year strategic plan for the district; rigorous and robust curricular opportunities that challenge and engage our students; a fiscal budget aligned to the district action plan focused on academic excellence and interventions to support and challenge students; a transparent budget communicated consistently to the community; and lastly, educator and staff support to foster professional development and growth that builds educator capacity.”
The proposed budget includes several notable additions:
- A math/reading interventionist for the Early Learning Center
- Full-time math/reading interventionists at Hills Garrison and Nottingham West elementary schools
- Shifting Hudson Memorial School’s culinary teacher from part-time to full-time
- A full-time special education teacher at Hudson Memorial
Moulis noted that some items were removed during the budget process, including a part-time computer science teacher at Alvirne’s CTE Center, a part-time behavior support position at Nottingham West, and a full-time interventionist at Dr. H.O. Smith. There was also discussion about adding a full-time Spanish teacher at Hudson Memorial.
Responding to past requests from the Budget Committee, Moulis included enrollment data showing a steady decline since 2016.
“Have we had any staff reductions to reflect the continued downward trajectory?” asked Vice-Chair Kim Rice.
Moulis said reductions have occurred, including eliminating a teaching team at Hudson Memorial and several positions at Alvirne High School. Some positions remain in the budget with allocations of $1.
Committee member Shawn Jasper requested historical staffing data for context.
“The budget’s going up, student population’s going down, and we don’t have any understanding of what our staffing has been doing,” Jasper said. “It’s one thing to look at the numbers as they exist now, but that doesn’t give us any real context.”
Rice added, “We want to see that downward trend to reflect these numbers. Will you be able to bring that information?”
Moulis promised to provide whatever data he could “readily make available.”
The operating budget is still in development, but early figures put it at just over $74 million. Several members noted that the default budget appeared close to the proposed operating budget. Moulis explained that increases stem from contractual obligations and rising benefit costs.
“The health insurance increase that is going to be realized now that we have that number is 21.37%. That is a driver of both the proposed budget and the default,” he said.
Committee Chair James Lawrence requested a summary of the total proposed school budget following a brief discussion on formatting.