During the Hen Hud School Board meeting on June 17, two students and one board member were recognized for their efforts and accomplishments.
In other business, the board approved a new three-year term memorandum of agreement between the district and the Hen Hud School District Association of Administrators (DAA). It also heard an update from representatives of Polara Energy on the district’s eventual transition to a fleet of electric school buses, in compliance with a statewide mandate.
Emmett Adelstein and Danielle Feinkind, second graders at Furnace Woods Elementary School, were recognized by the Board of Education as winners of the “Skill Struct” Future Ready Challenge, a national curriculum program that uses interactive game-style lessons to encourage students to be creative, problem solve and develop coding skills.
Skill Struct is an educational technology company that provides districts with learning curriculums for computer science, artificial intelligence and coding, allowing local teachers to decide which coding lessons to provide and track student progress.
“It is with great joy that I can say that two of our very own Sailors won that competition,” shared first-year STEM teacher Alexa Malave. “It was honestly one of the most rewarding experiences as a teacher to see them be able to speak with the person who actually created the platform and to share their creativity with individuality. I’ve seen correspondence from Skill Struct and they will actually be applying the suggestions that Emmett and Danielle had given them in their platform because they are so incredible.”
Both students got to meet with the CEO of Skill Struct and won their entire second-grade class a pizza party.
Tamica Dietrich was recognized by the board as she concluded her three-year tenure as a board of education trustee and as vice president. “Her collaborative, professional spirit and clear focus on students’ success have been true assets to our governance team,” said Michael Tromblee, superintendent of schools. “While her term as a trustee is coming to a close, I know without a doubt that her dedicated service on behalf of the students of our community will continue in new and meaningful ways across our community. Tamica, on behalf of the entire school district, we thank you.”
The board approved a three-year memorandum of agreement (2026-2029) between the district and the Hen Hud School District Association of Administrators that “continues to honor and reflect the collaborative spirit that we have with our district administrator’s union,” Tromblee said.
In response to the new collective bargaining agreement, “As president of our union, we all feel very keenly about our responsibility to all of the students and households in the district. We keep them at the center of all decisions, and we balance the needs of all students in our schools. We really appreciate all of the support as we build a really cohesive team of administrators in the district.”
As the district plans for a future transition to electric school buses, representatives of Polara Energy provided an updated plan to the board.
A New York State mandate requires all buses be zero emission by 2027 with full fleet conversion by 2035. The district currently has a bus fleet of 64 vehicles, of which full electrification currently could be achieved for 53 buses.
Gabriel Glanze, project manager of Polara, explained the company’s “Fleet Electrification Plan”: Phase 1 includes the installation of 21 charging stations; Phase 2 adds 12 chargers; Phase 3 adds 17 chargers. Across the next 10 years, the three phases are estimated to cost approximately $2.95 million.
Ashley Martinez was welcomed by the board as the new assistant principal for Hen Hud High School starting fall 2026. “What a pleasure and privilege it’ll be to serve as assistant principal at Hendrick Hudson High School next year. I very much look forward to working with everyone in this district and at the school. Go sailors!” Martinez said.
Highlights of the Memorandum of Agreement Between Hendrick Hudson Central School District and Hendrick Hudson School District Association of Administrators in Effect July 1, 2026-June 30, 2029 (edited for brevity)
- Administrators not expected to work on 18 named holidays, among them Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur, First Night of Passover, Veterans Day, Columbus Day, Day after Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, New York’s Eve, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, Good Friday, Juneteenth.
- Administrators may elect to cash out up to five (5) days of unused vacation days annually
- Administrators may elect to roll over up to five (5) unused vacation days annually at the end of June for the subsequent school year
- Administrators hired on or after July 1, 2009 shall contribute towards the cost of health insurance 18.5% effective Jul 1, 2026 and 20% effective July 1, 2027
- Upon retirement, administrators shall be eligible to pay a reduced percentage for health insurance based on the number of unused sick leave days
- The following are administrator salary increases…
Effective July 1, 2026, 2.25% over prior year
Effective July 1, 2027, 2.25% over prior year
Effective July 1, 2028, 2% over prior year - Administrators shall receive longevity payments as follows…
$3,500 upon completion of 10 years of administrative service in the District
$3,600 upon completion of 15 years of administrative service in the District
$3,700 upon completion of 20 years of administrative service in the District and each year thereafter - Doctorate stipend
$3,500 added one time to base salary for doctoral degree
