Montrose, NY – New York State Senator Pete Harckham announced today that an additional $1 million in financial aid from the Senate is being appropriated for the Hendrick Hudson School District in the FY2025-2026 State Budget. This funding, the third time the State Senate has come through for the Hen Hud schools, will be combined with the school aid, Foundation aid and Universal Pre-Kindergarten funding the district is already slated to receive.

Harckham made the announcement today during a visit to Hendrick Hudson High School, where he met with about 40 students for a Q&A session. A number of Hendrick Hudson school board members and district administrators were on hand for the event as well.

The Hendrick Hudson School District lost $8 million of funding in 2021 from the closure of the Indian Point Nuclear Facility in Buchanan, NY, and although the State Legislature and Governor Hochul increased the district aid package considerably in the following year’s budget, an immediate gap remained between anticipated revenue (including state aid) and projected costs. An extra $1 million of State Senate funding initially delivered in August 2022 helped prevent staff layoffs and classroom overcrowding.

State Senator Pete Harckham said, “Our commitment to helping the entire Hendrick Hudson school community from the negative impact caused by the loss of tax revenue remains strong. The taxpayers in the school district, especially homeowners and small businesses, are facing challenges through no fault of their own, and this additional funding we endeavor to give the district year after year helps ensure students here receive the educational opportunities that they deserve.”

Harckham added that Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins and Senator Shelley Mayer, chair of the Senate Education Committee, were instrumental in arranging the additional funding for the Hendrick Hudson school district  in the last three state budgets, and said, “Their tireless support for education in New York is unparalleled, and I thank them for focusing on the needs of this particular district.” 

Hendrick Hudson School District Superintendent Michael Tromblee said, “We are deeply grateful to Senator Harckham and the New York State Senate for awarding our district another $1 million grant. This support comes at a critical time as we continue to navigate the financial challenges that followed the closure of Indian Point. This critical funding is not only appreciated — it is essential to sustaining our mission of supporting students without compromising the excellence that defines the Hendrick Hudson community.”

Tromblee added, “This achievement reflects the persistent and collaborative spirit that makes our district so strong. I want to extend heartfelt thanks to the many stakeholders who have advocated alongside us, including our partners in the Hendrick Hudson Education Association, the PTA Advocacy Committee, and our Board of Education. Earlier this year, we joined together — district labor unions, PTAs, and administrators — and sent an advocacy letter that urged continued state support for our schools. This grant award demonstrates what can be accomplished through unified advocacy and true partnership at both the community and state levels.” 

James Rogulski, Hendrick Hudson Education Association President said, “Senator Pete Harckham continues to work hard for the people of the Hendrick Hudson School District. The closing of Indian Point has brought hardship, and his diligent, unwavering support and advocacy has made a direct positive impact to the community and, most importantly, the students in our schools. Thank you, Pete!” 

Amelia Silverman, president of the Board of Education for Hendrick Hudson Central School District, said, “We are deeply grateful to Senator Harckham and his colleagues in the State Senate for recognizing the continued financial challenges our district faces in the aftermath of the Indian Point closure. This additional $1 million in funding, secured for a third consecutive year by Senator Harckham, will directly support our students, allow us to maintain vital programming, and help ensure we continue delivering the high-quality education our community expects and deserves. On behalf of the entire Board of Education, I want to extend our sincere thanks to Senator Harckham.  Advocacy and partnership like this are essential as we work to build a sustainable future for Hendrick Hudson schools.”

With the Indian Point Payment In Lieu Of Taxes (PILOT) agreement with the Hendrick Hudson School District decreasing over the next number of years, the New York State Department of Education and Office of the Budget have confirmed that state aid to the district will increase nearly four-fold in the coming years. 

Along with the $1 million grant that Harckham announced today, the Hendrick Hudson district is receiving $17.6 million in school aid in the FY2025-2026 State Budget.