school budget

May 7, 2019 was a regular club meeting at Cancun’s in Red Hook from 7:30 to 8:30 am. Fifteen members, 83% of our membership attended. With the school budget and related matters coming up for approval by voters registered in Red Hook, on May 21, 2019, our speakers were Josh Bardfield of the Red Hook Library Board and Bruce Martin, representing the Red Hook Central School District.

Josh explained that budgetary increases for both the Red Hook Library and the Tivoli Libraries would be on the ballot at the May 21 election. The Red Hook Library is requesting a 3.25% increase in their budget line. He noted that Library usage, programming, and wireless usage are up this year. The Library is housed in an historic building that requires constant maintenance and restoration. Finally, the state has increased the minimum wage by 38%, which impacts the Library’s operating budget. The Library has secured more than $53,000 in grants, this year but still needs the increase in tax revenue to maintain its current level of service. He urged the club members to vote in favor of the Library request on May 21.

Bruce Martin presented an outline of changes in the Central School district’s budget. While the current budget is enjoying a brief reduction in its debt levels, revenues also drop by nearly the same amount. The balance of the budgetary year will experience a 2.61% increase, but remain under the tax cap. He noted that the incoming kindergarten class will be a full class size smaller and that those savings will go to resources aimed at meeting increased emotional/social needs. No new programs will be introduced.

Voters can still register at the Mill Road School, during school hours. The election will take place from noon to 9pm also at the Mill Road School. Several initiatives will seek voter approval, including the annual increase in expenditure for buses, two new school board candidates (uncontested), election of this year’s student representative to the Board and an opportunity to place solar panels on the school roof. The later are only cost-effective if combined with State Aid – which should be forthcoming. Bruce also updated the club on the construction of the auditorium. The project will be tight to its budget despite cost-effective, value-engineered plans. State Assemblyman, Kevin Cahill, is seeking to provide $500,000 in state grants to the project and the Red Hook Education Foundation may offer and additional $100,000. This project will be the subject of a special vote on June 18. All additional expenses are tax-cap compliant.

Absentee ballots are available in the District Clerk’s office.