Hastings board adopts 2024–25 spending plan, sets public hearing May 7 and trustee vote May 21

The Hastings-on-Hudson Board of Education voted April 16 to adopt the district's 202425 spending plan, approving a budget that administrators say increases spending by roughly $2.0 million and uses a mix of higher taxes and fund balance to close the gap.

Maureen, the district presenter, told trustees the board is scheduled to hold a public hearing on the spending plan on May 7 and that the trustee budget vote is set for May 21. "The board is to adopt the spending plan for the 24-25 school year," she said, and explained that the proposed levy is at the "legally compliant tax cap." Maureen said the budget-to-budget increase is "a little bit over $2,000,000," with about $1,500,000 planned to come from increased taxes and the remainder from reserves and state aid.

Superintendent Bill and other administrators warned that last year's full funding of the state aid formula was an outlier and that the district should plan for conservative state-aid assumptions. Maureen said the district built the budget without assuming worst-case cuts but noted recent Albany signals could leave Hastings with only a modest change in aid: "we may end up getting about $75,000 to $100,000 more," she said, describing that outcome as a best-case scenario.

Administrators also described additional revenue lines that factor into next year's plan: tuition payments from out-of-district placements (projected near $300,000 for the coming year in the presentation) and payments from a community solar arrangement. Maureen said the budget currently records a $35,000 licensing fee tied to the solar agreement while noting that once fully operational the solar arrangement could generate "definitely over, like, a $100,000." The board asked follow-up questions about how solar savings and tuition patterns were projected and how enrollment changes would be monitored over the summer.

Trustees debated staffing details and program continuity during the meeting but the motion to adopt the 202425 budget carried on a voice vote after a motion and second. The board also approved related business items, consent agenda personnel actions and minutes during the same meeting.

Next steps: the public hearing on the spending plan is on May 7, with the trustee budget vote scheduled for May 21. Administrators said any modest additional state aid would be routed to reserves rather than new recurring spending to preserve fiscal flexibility.

Votes at a glance
Motion: Adopt 202425 spending plan — Mover: Committee member (speaker 7); Second: Committee member (speaker 6). Outcome: approved (voice vote).