A special proposition vote on projects to improve the safety and accessibility of buildings and athletic facilities is coming up on Oct. 22. Below, you'll find information on the three ballot propositions. Visit the high school's Performing Arts Center Atrium from noon to 9 p.m. to cast a ballot. You can also find information on voter eligibility, absentee, early mail and military voting on the district voting webpage. For any questions about the vote or the voting process, contact District Clerk Elena Maskell at 845-758-2241 ext. 55010 or emaskell@rhcsd.org

Dear Red Hook Families,

October was packed with exciting events across the district! I’d like to take a moment to highlight a few memorable moments featured in this newsletter. Our Wellness Fair reflected the district's commitment to emotional and physical well-being, as outlined in our Raider Profile. The event showcased booths highlighting our nutrition program, social-emotional learning, and physical fitness initiatives. We are grateful to our community partners for providing raffle prizes—our students and families were thrilled to win footballs, bikes, club memberships, and other fantastic items. We also dedicated the new trail at Mill Road Elementary to Paul Menz, our Head Custodian of 40 years. Paul has been a true gift to the district—his dedication, positivity, and care for students is deeply appreciated.

Another highlight was the solar panel ribbon-cutting ceremony, marking a big step toward sustainability. These panels will help reduce our carbon footprint and are expected to save approximately $1.175 million over their lifespan. Alongside this project, the district continues to prioritize energy efficiency, investing in technologies such as ice-based cooling systems, energy recovery wheels for HVAC, new windows, and electric buses.

Looking ahead, we invite you to participate in the proposition vote on Tuesday, October 22nd, from 12 PM to 9 PM at the High School Performing Arts Atrium. These propositions focus on gym and field upgrades, supporting both physical and emotional wellness. Based on community feedback, we’ve revised the turf field proposal to include recyclable materials and without the use of intentionally added PFAS. We are also proposing an upgrade to new LED lighting, expanding air conditioning at Mill Road, improving the boiler system and repairing the front columns at Linden Avenue Middle School, and enhancing lockdown access systems across all buildings. These upgrades address essential maintenance needs while prioritizing the safety and well-being of our students.

Please explore the detailed information about the propositions and other updates in this newsletter.

Thank you for your continued support!

Sincerely,

Janet Warden

Most of the projects on the Oct. 22 ballot are intended to increase the safety of district facilities, including the athletic facilities, which are used as educational spaces and are out of compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. There are two proposals to fix different field spaces, which are not dependent on each other. Voters can opt to approve both, neither or either of them. Under state regulations, both are dependent on voters approving Proposition No. 1. Aid from New York State would cover 64.4% of the interior improvements covered in Proposition No. 1, and up to 64.4% of the exterior projects. Here's what's included in all three:

Proposition 1

• Replacement of the high school’s gymnasium bleachers and wall padding, and renovation of its floor.
• New LED lighting for Red Hook High School and Mill Road Elementary School.
• Expanding and upgrading the air conditioning at Mill Road.
• Bolstering the boiler system at Linden Avenue Middle School.
• Expanding ease of access to the lockdown system in each school.
• Repairs to the four front columns of the Linden Avenue building.

The proposition would cost roughly $7.835 million, of which taxpayers would be responsible for $2.79 million.The lighting upgrades are projected to save $30,486 annually at the middle school and $22,349 at the high school, with the savings projected to pay for the cost of the upgrades in six and eight years, respectively.

Proposition 2

The proposal calls for the renovation of the main athletic field between the high and middle schools to create a multipurpose artificial turf space, which would include new lighting installation, a resurfacing of its track and repairs to perimeter fencing. The proposition requires the field to be constructed “with recyclable materials” and “without the use of intentionally added PFAS.” Previous propositions asking voters to approve an artificial turf field project did not include language promising the inclusion of such environmentally friendly materials, but advancements in the turf technology and increased awareness around the industry have made it possible for the district to do so. The proposition would cost roughly $7.67 million, of which taxpayers would be responsible for $2.73 million.

Proposition 3

The proposal would allow for the renovation of field space other than the main athletic field using natural grass. The project, which would encompass approximately two of the five other athletic fields shared by the high and middle schools, includes the installation of drainage strategies meant to eliminate flooding issues. The proposition would cost roughly $5.475 million, of which taxpayers would be responsible for approximately $1.95 million with the maximum application of state aid.

As the vote approaches, many residents have had questions regarding the components of the proposed projects and there's been some confusion, especially in online discussions.
For example, the district in these propositions is not asking residents if they would want to renovate athletic fields with natural grass or artificial turf. The decision voters will make is if they would approve renovating the main field at the high and middle schools, and if they would approve renovating other fields either instead of, or in addition to, the main field. The only plan for renovating the main field, including installing LED lighting, resurfacing the track and fixing the surrounding fencing, is by approving Proposition Two, and Proposition Three can only pertain to other field spaces.

Here are some FAQs for voters to better understand the proposals:

Why isn’t natural grass proposed to be used for all fields?

While pristine natural grass is an ideal playing surface, the only way to maintain it perfectly is by limiting its use. The district is proposing a multipurpose artificial turf surface for its main field in order to create a resource that can be used from morning to night every day by students and the community without fear of degradation.

The turf field would be used by physical education classes from the high and middle schools during the school day, by every outdoor field sport team for practices and games after school, and by community organizations during evening and weekend availability. This would be possible because turf does not get beaten down by overuse, it remains safe to use in rainy weather and the LED lighting would allow for expanded usable time at night. Soccer teams for the first time would be able to play on the field, as well, as the turf would be able to expand the playing surface larger than what a grass field would allow.

Because the field would have lines permanently painted and because of the drastically reduced need for upkeep, the cost of maintaining the field would also be significantly less than grass.

The district currently has to limit use of the main field to just competitions, forcing physical education classes and team practices to other spaces. Even then, the field is beaten down, uneven and patchy, with areas of dirt where grass used to be.

Don’t we want students to spend time on grass?

We do. Grass is natural. Of the roughly 500,000 square feet of athletic field space at the high and middle schools, roughly 415,000 would remain natural grass if Proposition Two is approved.

The district’s desire to keep grass playing surfaces and, in fact, improve them is why Proposition Three is on the ballot.

Isn’t grass safer than turf?

The perfect grass surfaces maintained by full teams of workers at professional and collegiate stadiums have been shown to be safer than artificial turf. The imperfect grass fields seen at high schools across the country have not been shown to be safer. What matters more than the composition of the field is the maintenance and density – or relative lack thereof – of the ground. A study from the Penn State Center for Sports Surface Research found injuries can be reduced in quantity and severity by up to 20% by competing on favorable field conditions, regardless of the surface. The artificial turf system includes infrastructure under the surface includes cushioning and drainage. It provides a consistent playing surface that isn’t impacted by weather the night before or how dry and cold the air has become.

Isn’t grass cheaper to maintain than turf?

No. While the classic idea is that grass grows naturally so it must be a free resource, it in fact costs more than $140,000 a year for the district to maintain its six fields. This includes mowing, seeding, protecting against pests, lining for competitions and the care needed to keep grass growing when hundreds of high school students trample it each day. The cost to maintain turf is lower – roughly $5,000 annually plus the cost of maintaining the grass fields – and more predictable, with a set schedule for when it should be cleaned up.

Isn’t turf toxic plastic, with PFAS and lead?

While turf is not a natural surface, there’s no evidence that it’s toxic. In the verbiage of Proposition Two, the district promised to choose a turf product that contains no added PFAS – or forever chemicals – and multiple manufacturers have given assurances they can deliver a turf product that does not include lead or any PFAS under industry testing standards. The resulting amount of chemicals on the turf would likely be equal to that found on grass or many other surfaces, as the nearly invisible PFAS have become an unavoidable part interacting with most objects. The toxicity of infill used in the artificial fields to simulate dirt – which are most often crushed recycled tires – have also been questioned. But, an eight-year Environmental Protection Agency study released in April concluded chemicals present in the crumb rubber infill used rarely leads to exposures with the air, water or participants on the field.

The district is also looking at including a virgin rubber infill, which is not made of recycled tires.

Didn’t voters already reject turf proposals?

Yes, which is why the district took numerous measures to ask voters what they didn’t like about the proposals and how they should change. After the last vote in May, the district circulated a survey in which roughly 400 responded with their reasons for voting. A listening session, in which residents were invited to come to the high school and discuss the projects with officials, was held in June. And in July the Board of Education hosted a facilities meeting in which experts in the areas for the environment and field construction discussed their recommendations to fixing the schools’ fields. Many who previously voted against a turf field said they were concerned with the sustainability of turf and potentially dangerous materials used in turf, and the district listened. In Proposition Two, for the first time, a recyclable turf product that is free of added PFAS is proposed.

Are the fixes just for athletic teams?

Certainly not. Accessibility, safety and wellness are the driving reasons for Propositions Two and Three. The fields at the high and middle school are uneven, patchy and dense, making them not only difficult for athletes but inaccessible to part of the population. There is also a drainage gutter in the main field, between the grass playing surface and the track, which adds to the lack of accessibility. The fields are educational spaces used for physical education and should be accessible to all. In addition, time spent active outdoors has been shown to improve wellness. By creating space field spaces, both of turf and of grass, the district would be increasing the availability of this valuable time decompressing in fresh air.

Why does the gym need renovation?

For the same reasons as the fields. It’s an educational space, yet the bleachers are out of ADA compliance. The high school’s gym floor and bleachers are originals to the building’s 1963 opening. Like the grass field outside, the gym floor has been repaired often over six decades. By Athletic Director Tom Cassata’s count, there are 175 places where it is visible that nails were added to keep floorboards down. The renovations would not only provide a new floor and bleachers that would be safe for all fans but the stage area on the south end of the court would be removed and replaced with more seating. That would create a safer situation for the players on the court who previously may collide with the stage’s knee wall.

Can voters support both Propositions Two and Three?

Yes. That would result in the district renovating the main field and two other grass playing surfaces, giving students the best mix of experiences.

Can voters pass Propositions Two or Three without approving Proposition One?

No. Under state regulations for supplying financial aid, if Proposition One fails, the district cannot move forward with either of the other two propositions.

District officials uncovered good news for many residents this fall, as they examined the real impact of the district’s 2024-25 budget and existing capital project work on tax bills. In looking at a random sampling of nearly 30 bills belonging to residents, Assistant Superintendent for Business Bruce Martin found the year-over-year increase in school taxes for residents in the Town of Red Hook to be roughly 0.7%.

That’s significantly less than the district’s projection, in May before the budget was approved by voters, that most bills would increase by 2.25% to 2.5%. Mr. Martin noted the sampling was only for town residents, which accounts for most district families. However, residents in surrounding municipalities do see variations, with some seeing larger increases for reasons specific to those areas. Mr. Martin attributed the reduced tax increase to the growth of the district’s tax base being larger than anticipated. “Most of the Town of Red Hook will be looking at something under 1%,” he said. “In Milan, I see some bills actually going down.”

The reduced tax bills reached residents in the weeks leading up to the district’s special proposition vote on Oct. 22, in which the voters are being asked to approve capital improvements to bolster safety and accessibility of facilities. The district’s last capital project, which was approved in 2022, has likewise brought positive news for taxpayers, as the true expense is coming in nearly $3 million under budget. Mr. Martin said the growth or reduction of a tax base is the largest factor indicating what impact an increase in tax levy will have on property tax bills. The tax base grows as development increases, and is not largely impacted by changes in property values assessments.

“Just because we said our tax levy was up 3.47%, it’s substantially better than that,” Martin said. “We have a real growing tax base with new properties, improved properties, additions put on, and the like. It should help folks to be even more supportive of the school budget, knowing that if the school levy grows at 3.5%, I actually won’t see my tax bills increase at 3.5%.”

Roughly 400 Mill Road Elementary students and family members attended the inaugural Wellness Fair at the school Oct. 16. The event featured a wide variety of attractions, from physical games and challenges like sack races and a balance beam, to tables for arts and crafts and pumpkin decorating, to a dance area and tables where parents could learn more about wellness programs and initiatives. There was a one-day-old calf available to pet, as well as an emotional support dog, and students could try out the new balance bikes that recently arrived at Mill Road.

Tables lined the newly paved walkway that now connects various elements of the expansive space behind Mill Road, as did small pumpkins the children were invited to take home afterward. A ribbon-cutting ceremony officially opening the walkway began the festivities. “This event showcases our commitment to the Raider Profile, especially focusing on the importance of tending to our physical, emotional and social health,” Dr. Janet Warden, superintendent of schools, said in welcoming families. “We’re also thrilled to open our brand-new trail, which perfectly aligns with our district’s mission of fostering wellness.”

To encourage families to visit the various tables, each student was issued a passport with 12 spots for stickers – four each corresponding to mind, body and social wellness. Once a student filled their passport they, and their parent, were given raffle tickets. At the end of the night various prizes were given out, including bikes.

For many, the highlight of the Mill Road Elementary Wellness Fair came in the very beginning.

While attendees knew the district would officially open the paved trail behind the school to kick off the festivities, they didn’t know the pathway would be dedicated to a special member of the community: Paul Menz, Mill Road’s head custodian, who has been at the school for 40 years. “Over the summer, Dr. Warden came to me and within 30 seconds we figured out who should have the pathway dedicated to them,” Mill Road Principal Dr. Brian Boyd explained to the crowd. Mr. Menz, who was told the pathway would bear his name four days earlier, wiped a tear from his cheek as he listened to Dr. Boyd speak, with family members behind him.

“Paul has been the person behind the scenes for countless ice cream socials, kindergarten graduations, fifth-grade celebrations, preparing the school and the grounds for the school year each summer,” Dr. Boyd said. “He does it with a big smile on his face and he has this heartfelt motto that he always says – ‘Hey, we’re working together and it’s all for the kids.’ Everything he’s done here for the past four decades has made Mill Road the special place that it is. We know how lucky we are to have him on a daily basis. The plaque that will hang by the pathway includes not only Paul Menz’s name but also the phrase, “It’s for the kids!” “I really never expected this, but I’m so grateful, and I’m so grateful to work with a wonderful staff and coworkers,” Mr. Menz told the crowd after one ovation and before a second broke out. “I love this building. It’s just like my home. It’s my home away from home.

“We love our children,” he continued. “We love all these kids. We do it for the kids. And I love you all. Thank you.” He then cut the ribbon to officially open the walkway.

Roughly 30% of the Red Hook Central School District’s energy usage will come from solar power harvested on the roof of its school buildings. The district and its partners celebrated the completion of the $1.7 million solar project with a ribbon-cutting ceremony at Mill Road Elementary School Wednesday.

The implementation of solar energy aligns with the district’s goal of increasing sustainability and reducing its impact on the environment. The 1,200 solar panels now affixed to the elementary, middle and high school buildings will generate more than 630-megawatt hours of energy annually and are expected to generate roughly $80,000 in utility credits annually, while reducing greenhouse gas emissions by nearly 80 metric tons — the equivalent of consuming nearly 9,000 gallons of gasoline.

“One of our goals as a district is to increase our energy efficiency and decrease our carbon footprint,” said Superintendent of Schools Dr. Janet Warden. “In utilizing solar power gathered through solar arrays on each of our school buildings, we’re showing students everybody can be involved in supporting the environment and will perhaps encourage them to take small steps to do so at home. All the while, the project will also reduce energy costs, which aids all district residents.”

The project, which was approved by voters in 2019, was financed by the New York Power Authority and the district received grant funding from NYPA and the New York State Energy and Research Development Authority. It was constructed by Solar Liberty. Dr. Warden in her comments thanked both entities for moving the project through a prolonged development period slowed by the COVID-19 pandemic. “Red Hook’s new solar energy systems reflect the district’s commitment to sustainability and climate action,” said NYPA President and CEO Justin E. Driscoll. “NYPA is proud to support its public-sector partners with clean energy solutions that reduce greenhouse gas emissions and energy costs.” NYPA assisted in the design of the systems, which are the first NYPA-supported solar projects in Dutchess County.

The solar system officially has a 25-year lifespan, but it could continue to produce power well beyond that time if properly maintained. At the end of 25 years, it’s estimated the district will have saved $1.175 million.The project began under former Superintendent Paul Finch, who was on hand to share in the celebration. Referencing the high school Performing Arts Center, he joked, “I just start things, and you all finish them.” Of the project itself, he said, “It’s just part and parcel of how Red Hook is culturally, that we operate in a way that we try to do best by kids and our community. In my experience we’ve always tried to find a balance between looking towards the future and, in this case, certainly this project is modeling the implementation of new technologies in a thoughtful manner, and at the same time trying to protect the interests of our taxpayers, who are often stretched thin.”

NYPA Director of DER Ben Cuozzo and Solar Liberty Vice President of Sales and Marketing Rob Gauchat. spoke at Wednesday’s event, as did Red Hook Village Mayor Karen Smythe and Red Hook Town Supervisor Robert McKeon. Ben Hoen, a district parent who served as a special advisor throughout the project, shared the concept dated back to 2011, when he and Finch sat at a windy soccer game and discussed the possibility of harnessing renewable energy.

“There’s an oft-repeated mantra, ‘think globally and act locally,’ and the school did both in this case,” said Mr. Hoen, a scientist for Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory who studies wind and solar energy. “Of the total cost of this project, 82% went to businesses and workers in the New York region. That is acting locally.” He said the district has provided the students “a tactile way to see how persistence and forward thinking can, in the end, make a big difference.”

The solar project is one of several ways in which the Red Hook district is making environmentally conscious changes.This summer the district also completed installation of a new HVAC system in Red Hook High School, which is expected to save as much as 12% on energy use in that building, and most of the windows were replaced in the high and elementary schools to improve energy efficiency. In May, voters approved the district to purchase two electric school buses, the first step in the goal of replacing its entire fleet with electric vehicles by 2035.

Dr. Warden said the solar panels “serve as an example of our students in action and to understand clean energy is really important and has an impact on our community.”

To see video of the ceremony and aerial shots of Mill Road Elementary, click below.

The goal of a new physical education program at Mill Road Elementary School is to improve students’ balance and physical coordination using bicycles. Mill Road kindergarten and first grade students will participate this fall in a unit in which they learn to handle a balance bike and, eventually, ride with pedals.

The program is being made possible through a $9,000 grant from the Red Hook Education Foundation to purchase 24 balance bikes with pedal conversion kits and helmets, storage racks and two bikes for teachers, as well as training and certifications for the instructors. Balance bikes are like traditional bicycles but have a platform instead of pedals on which the rider can rest their feet. The idea is to teach a child proper posture and technique by pushing themselves with their feet to get started and riding with proper balance while their feet are on the platform. Pedals can then be added to the bikes once a child is ready.

Physical education teacher John Alessi said the decline in the number of children who can ride a bike is a “huge issue,” and part of a general decline in the average child’s coordination and fitness.

“Kids aren’t getting outside as much as they used to. They’re not using their bodies,” he said, noting some children “may not have access to bicycles or safe outdoor spaces to ride them outside of school hours.”

The initiative is part of the Red Hook Central School District’s emphasis on wellness for students of all ages. The hope is by encouraging and facilitating bike riding, a child’s physical health and their confidence and self-esteem will see improvements. Mr. Alessi, who is spearheading the program, said students will have an eight-lesson session in the fall and another in the spring. “You start the program on a balance bike, and try to get them to balance, and then eventually transition over to pedals when they’re ready for it,” he said. “They should be able to ride by that last lesson. Sometimes that’s not the case, sometimes it takes a little longer, and that’s okay.” While initial lessons will be in the gym, Mr. Alessi said the riders will utilize the new paved path behind Mill Road and the already-paved playground areas in the spring. He said the activities during the spring session will be determined by how well the students take to the bikes in the fall and may include more advanced tasks like zigzagging through obstacles for the students who are ready for that level of challenge.

In the future, Mr. Alessi said the program may be expanded to pre-K students and second grade. He thanked Dr. Janet Warden, superintendent of schools; Dr. Erin Hayes, assistant superintendent for personnel and operations; Principal Dr. Brian Boyd and Assistant Principal Kristen Strothmann for their encouragement and support in launching the program. The goal, he said, is to “empower our students to become confident and proficient cyclists while promoting physical activity and healthy lifestyles both in and out of school.”