The Red Hook Central School District is proposing a $67.38 million budget for the 2026-27 academic year that supports innovative new programs while maintaining services and staff. 
The annual budget and Board of Education election vote is scheduled for Tuesday, May 19 at Mill Road Elementary School. Polls will be open from noon to 9 p.m., and absentee, early-mail and military voting is available. Visit redhookcentralschools.org/find-voting-information for details. 
Residents can learn more at the district’s annual Budget Expo and Public Budget Hearing May 7. The expo and the inaugural Farm to School Showcase run from 5:30-6:45 p.m., and the Board of Education hearing will follow. 

Budget Proposal
In addition to the $67,376,076 budget, residents will also be asked to choose between four Board of Education candidates for two open seats, and cast votes on two capital improvement projects, a proposition for a vehicle purchase and two propositions regarding the budgets for the Red Hook and Tivoli Free libraries. 
The proposed annual spending plan remains at the state tax cap despite an inflation rate that exceeds the tax cap and rising fixed costs like health insurance and pensions. It represents an increase of 3.66% over this year’s budget, and an increase to the tax levy of 3.61%. The proposal would utilize roughly $2.85 million in fund balance. 
The budget supports the continuation of existing programs and initiatives launched and expanded in recent years, such as the expanding International Baccalaureate program, student support services, and emphasis on 21st century STEAM learning and facilities. It also allows for continued growth and new initiatives, including: 

• Launching the Winners Circle Project and the welding certificate program at Red Hook High School. 
• Implementing an outdoor learning space at Mill Road Elementary School. 
• Ongoing upgrades of district facilities. 
• Support for Linden Avenue Middle School Culturally Responsive Sustaining Education programming. 
• Other training and curriculum to support diverse literacy needs. 
• Preparation for the rollout of the New York State Blue Ribbon Commission’s Portrait of a Graduate.

The Winners Circle Project announcement was particularly met with student enthusiasm. The program includes an exciting new set of classes in which students would receive hands-on experience with all aspects of running an auto racing team, with classes dedicated to the mechanics of assembling and maintaining the car, public relations and marketing of the team, and the business aspects. Students through the program attend field trips and receive dedicated career coaching, and throughout the year compete against other high schools in the program.
Should residents reject the budget proposal, the district would either be able to propose a reduced budget for voter approval or move to a contingency budget. The contingency budget would be cut by more than $654,000 and could mean cuts to student programs and activities, equipment purchases, capital expenditures and salary increases to non-union staff. 

Board of Education Candidates 
There are two Board of Education seats up for grabs, with the terms occupied by Russ Crafton and Kate Kortbus set to expire June 30. Neither is running for reelection. 
The four candidates, in alphabetical order, are: 

• Paul Byrne 
• Troy Haley 
• David Mergendahl
• Robert Tynes

Read their responses to a questionnaire at redhookcentralschools.org/BOE-Candidates  
The two candidates with the highest number of votes would serve three-year terms beginning July 1, 2026 and ending June 30, 2029. 

Proposition 2: Technology Classroom Upgrades 
Proposition 2 asks residents to support up to $1.16 million in upgrades the technology classrooms at Red Hook High School, which would split metal/automatic and woodworking instruction into two dedicated spaces rather than sharing one classroom, and prepare the spaces with the necessary facilities upgrades to launch its new welding career and technical education pathway program. 
Tech classrooms 183 and 185 would receive expanded electrical capacity and outlets, and the necessary ventilation and ductwork to maintain safe conditions. 
“Welding produces smoke and gases,” Technology teacher Steve Hutman said. “That all needs to be ventilated out for the safety of the students and also, too, just to be up to (OSHA) code.” 
Read more about the proposal here.  

Proposition 3: Bus Garage Renovation and Expansion 
Under Proposition 3, a $14.725 million capital improvement proposition, the headquarters for the district’s Transportation Department and home to most of its vehicle fleet would receive upgrades to improve safety, fix broken equipment and repair dilapidated structures. The bus garage is cramped due both to the size of the buses and to a lack of office space and storage. 
The district is confident a large portion of the project will be eligible for state aid, which would reimburse roughly half of all eligible costs, though the final percentage is still to be determined. This proposition also requests the use of $1 million from the capital reserve to reduce the amount to be borrowed to $13.725 million. 
An expansion would include new vehicle lifts and a new wash bay; currently one vehicle lift is broken and cannot be easily repaired, while the wash bay and the other vehicle lift – which is more than two decades old – are in need of service. There would be more office spaces, including a break room and training room for the drivers and private offices for staff, and new storage areas. 
The existing bus storage barn would be paved – the floor is currently uneven gravel – and its beaten-up doors would be replaced. The whole structure would be extended forward by six feet, as it currently barely has enough room to fit an entire full-sized bus with the doors closed. 
Electrical conduits and piping would be added to support possible future electrical needs. 
Read more about the proposal here. 

Proposition 4: Vehicle Purchases 
Proposition 4, if approved, would allow the district to purchase six vehicles: three hybrid SUVs, two gas-powered 16-passenger buses and one maintenance plow truck. 
Residents are being asked to approve spending $530,000 on the proposition. The final expense is projected to be roughly $332,000 after state aid. 

Propositions 5 and 6: Library budgets 
Under the Education Law Section 259, school districts have the authority to levy taxes for a free association library. If a library requests that a budget proposition be placed before the voters, the school board must accommodate this request. 
Proposition 5 relates to the Red Hook Library and asks that its annual appropriation be increased by $35,000 to a total of $269,400. 
Proposition 6 relates to the Tivoli Free Library and asks that its annual appropriation be increased by $7,944 to a total of $115,364.