Hendrick Hudson Voters To Decide On 2018-19 School Budget

CORTLANDT, NY — Voters in the Hendrick Hudson school district will be going to the polls Tuesday, May 15 to have their say on the budget for the 2018-19 school year. There are two other propositions on the ballot, and there are two vacancies to be filled on the school board as well.

The proposed spending package is $79,532,609. That means a tiny tax reduction for Cortlandt residents who live in the district of 0.02 percent; and a tax increase for Peekskill residents who live in the district of 4.29 percent.

Voters are being asked to approve a $18.5 million capital project. It includes districtwide safety and security
improvements, renovations to classroom spaces, infrastructure upgrades, and improvements to
community facilities.

"It has been some time since we have made such an investment," Superintendent Joseph E. Hochreiter wrote in the budget issue of "Soundings." Now is the time to take advantage of low interest rates, retiring debt and high state reimbursement rates. This $18.5 million project will not increase the tax levy, as we prepare to retire significant debt over the next 10 years. Moreover, the state will reimburse the district for 31% of the entire project."

He said school and community officials continue to work to make sure the closure of Indian Point does not cause property taxes to skyrocket.

The library budget is also up for a vote. Library trustees are asking voter approval for a $992,150 spending plan.

Polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. Tuesday, May 15 at Frank G. Lindsay Elementary School in Montrose.