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Hastings-on-Hudson Union Free School District board meeting, Oct 6, 2026

3 h 36 min · 34 public speakers

Reading and test scores ▶ 1:25:40

This board doesn’t post agenda times. Click a board member to jump to where they first speak; we list only members whose voice our check named. Video length 3 h 36 min.

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What happened

What happened at this meeting

Hastings board hears update on revised Exploring Equity human rights unit 10:28

  • District administrators updated the board on revisions to the 8th grade Exploring Equity course, saying Gaza is addressed in one lesson as a current event and students are not asked to make legal determinations. 10:28
  • Staff also presented plans for a universal pre-K pilot, and the board heard a business report on rising retirement and health insurance costs. 48:32
  • During public comment, speakers raised concerns about whether Gaza belongs in an 8th grade unit, while others asked that it be taught. 1:45:08

Until Nov 4, lines where a board member takes a side don't name the member. Why →

Item by item (12)
  1. Opening and meeting guidelines 0:09
    • The meeting was called to order on October 6th, 2026, at Hillside Elementary. 0:11
    • The presiding speaker asked everyone attending to be respectful and to listen to one another. 0:11
  2. Exploring Equity course update 2:19
    • The superintendent said two roundtables for families, of up to about 20 each, were set for later in October. 9:41
    • A staff member said the updated human rights unit addresses Gaza in one lesson as a current event and that students are not asked to make legal determinations. 26:14
    • One board member said the course should discuss the rise of antisemitism, and another board member asked about proactive steps such as school-wide assemblies. 29:57
  3. Universal pre-K update 48:14
    • A staff member said state law requires a full-day pre-K program no later than the 2028⁠-⁠2029 school year, and that an RFP for potential partners closes October 15th. 48:32
    • The staff member said a pilot for up to 40 students could use 2 classrooms, with a model decision for the '27-'28 school year expected the following week. 54:04
    • A business official said district staffing costs would exceed the $200,000 per classroom allocation. 1:08:00
  4. Superintendent report 1:13:39
    • The superintendent highlighted Hillside literacy, a Friday greeting at Farragut Middle School and 8 Tuesday College Connection mini fairs at the high school. 1:13:39
  5. Business report 1:15:08
    • The business official said the state retirement rate remains at the 17% level and a 0.46% teacher retirement increase would cost the district $225,000. 1:15:16
    • The business official said the district anticipates about an $800,000 increase in its health insurance contribution. 1:18:32
  6. Pupil personnel and teaching and learning reports 1:23:38
    • A staff member said the department is continuing its review of special education programs and services. 1:23:38
    • Another staff member said the revised instructional technology strategic plan is linked in the public record. 1:26:25
    • Asked about technology directors, the staff member said the plan includes an action step to consider the budgetary feasibility of an educational technologist position. 1:29:12
  7. Student report 1:33:49
    • The student report described homecoming week games, Spirit Week themes and recent field trips. 1:33:50
  8. Public comment 1:37:02
    • The presiding speaker said each speaker would get three minutes and public comment would go beyond 30 minutes. 1:37:02
    • Several speakers at public comment questioned teaching Gaza in an 8th grade unit, while others asked that the topic be taught. 1:45:08
    • Other speakers asked the board to cancel an artificial turf contract and to create a curriculum committee. 2:01:04
  9. Consent agenda 3:26:40
    • A motion to approve the consent agenda was made and seconded. 3:26:59
  10. Board comments 3:28:41
    • One board member thanked attendees and said they are completely not in favor of having a curriculum committee. 3:30:16
  11. Upcoming meeting agenda 3:34:26
    • A staff member said the meeting on the 20th would be a joint session with the village to hear from Welcome Home Westchester, a development group. 3:34:26
    • The staff member said the 11/3 meeting would include the audit, academic results and potentially class size analysis. 3:34:53
  12. Adjournment 3:35:39
    • A motion to adjourn was made and seconded. 3:35:39
    • The meeting was adjourned. ~3:35:47

Written by software from the meeting's transcript and checked sentence by sentence against it.

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Video: posted by the district as “Board of Education Meeting - October 6, 2026”