Raider Report June 2025
The district will move forward with a renovation of its troubled main athletic field using a natural grass surface, acquire four more electric school buses and go into the 2025-26 academic year with a $65 million budget.
Voters on May 20 overwhelmingly supported the district’s proposed budget and each of its propositions, including a $6.085 million capital improvement project that will allow the district to reopen the competition field between its high and middle schools when work is complete. The field has been closed since late March due to safety concerns.
Incumbent Kelly Borrelle (986 votes) and Patrick Boyd (945) were favored among the four candidates for two open school board seats, over Robert Tynes (773) and incumbent Charles Kachigian (632). Borrelle and Boyd will serve three-year terms beginning July 1 and ending June 30, 2028.
Here’s a look at what was approved:
Budget (passed, 1,309 votes to 455)
The $64,998,156 2025-26 spending plan represents a 3.43% increase over this year’s approved budget and a tax levy increase of 3.98%. It maintains programs and supports the growth of important initiatives like the IB and technology training programs and universal pre-K.
Proposition 2: Electric bus acquisition (passed, 1,033-722)
Voters approved the purchase of four electric school buses that cannot cost more than $300,000 individually or $1.2 million cumulatively. However, officials have assured residents each bus will be acquired at little-to-no cost thanks to grants and state aid reimbursement programs.
The district is eligible for reimbursement on roughly 50% of the electric vehicles’ full cost and remains eligible for a New York State Energy Research and Development Authority, or NYSERDA, grant for roughly $220,000 per bus for up to six buses. Between the two programs, a bus that may cost roughly $460,000 can be obtained for around $10,000. The exact percentage of reimbursement and cost of the bus is expected to fluctuate, making it impossible to give an exact estimate of how cheap the final expense will be. The district will also have to put forward the cost of the buses before being reimbursed by the state.
Proposition 3: Capital improvement project (passed, 1,266-495)
The $6.085 million capital project encompasses:
- A new grass surface for the main athletic field at the high and middle school.
- A drainage system under the field.
- A replacement of the surrounding track.
- LED field lighting installation.
- Repairs to the surrounding chain-link fencing
- Renovations for some high school bathrooms.
- A new kiln room for LAMS.
The district will receive state aid for nearly two-thirds of the project cost, leaving taxpayers with a less-than $2.2 million expense.
The Facilities Committee during its June 12 meeting will discuss next steps for the three grass field renovation projects approved by voters, including the two approved in October. The main field, when work is complete, will continue to predominantly be used for football and lacrosse competitions and the track and field team, with other fields and spaces utilized for other sports, practices and the physical education department. The district will aim to preserve the surface and protect against the overuse that has plagued the schools’ fields. The LED lighting will enable some competitions and community events to be held after dark.
Propositions 4 and 5: Library budgets
The final two propositions on the ballot asked voters to increase budgets for local libraries and were not tied to the school district’s operations or budget. In Proposition 4 (passed, 1,297-463), the Red Hook Library’s annual appropriation was increased by $10,000 to a total of $234,400. In Proposition 5 (passed, 1,287-470), the Tivoli Free Library’s annual appropriation was increased by $2,701 to a total of $104,487.
As we wrap up another school year in Red Hook, I want to take a moment to thank you, our community, for your continued support. Your positive vote on the school budget and propositions reflects a shared commitment to our students and their future. This partnership between school and community makes all the difference, and we are deeply grateful. I would also like to extend my appreciation to Board of Education member Charley Kachigian, who is concluding his three-year term. Charley brought a thoughtful, student-centered perspective to every discussion and decision. We thank him for his dedication and service.
This time of year is filled with celebrations, from award ceremonies to concerts, field days, and moving-up events. It’s wonderful to witness the accomplishments and growth of our students, it truly is the best part of the job. The energy and pride that come with these milestones remind us of the incredible learning and resilience our students demonstrate every day.
Wishing you a meaningful and memorable June, may you take time to be present, celebrate milestones, and enjoy all that this month brings.
Art shows and music performances filled the month of May, giving families and other district residents a chance to see the talents of Red Hook students at every grade level.
In addition to the Senior Art Show May 2, which featured roughly a dozen students displaying examples of the portfolio they've compiled over the past several years, the inaugural Mill Road Gallery Walk on May 20 featured the work of students grades pre-K through 5 displayed around the elementary school's hallways. It also included a sampling of the artwork that was displayed at the full district art show May 30. The shows all featured live music from students and refreshments. The gallery walk was held on the same night as the annual budget and board vote, and many who came to Mill Road to cast a ballot also took time to walk the halls and look at the art pieces. That included many families and students who posed next to their works.
Red Hook High School also debuted a new mural outside of the school in the healing garden area on May 28. Read more about the mural project here.
May's array of musical performances included the second grade chorus concert and the spring concerts at the high, middle and elementary schools.
In addition to the art shows featured within our buildings' walls, sixth grade arts students' work is currently on display at Verse Work/Shop at 35 W. Market St. in a special exhibition titled "It Takes a Village." The exhibition, which features students' paintings of local building facades in and around the Village of Red Hook, opened May 29 and will run through June 8 during the gallery's regular hours, Thursday-Saturday from noon to 5 p.m. and Sunday from noon to 4 p.m.
Registration for Summer Academy, an annual slate of free courses in July for Red Hook students currently in grades 8-12, is open through June 16.
The eclectic list of courses this year range from “Culinary Camp” and “3D Texture Painting” to “Graphic Novel” and “Escape Room Adventures.” Some are offered just one of the academy’s three weeks and others, such as “Learning to Crochet,” will be available each week at various times.
There are also three academically focused courses offered each of the three weeks, “The College Essay,” “SAT Math” and “SAT English,” held in different timeslots each week to best accommodate every student’s summer schedule.
The academy begins July 7-11, continues July 14-18 and concludes July 21-25. There are three timeslots for classes each day, 10 a.m. to noon, 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. and 4 p.m. to 6 p.m., and students can sign up for as many sessions as they desire, as long as they don’t conflict.
Read full course descriptions here. Register through this link. For any questions, email co-coordinators Christie Hegarty or Christine Griffin.
Enrollment is first come, first serve and class cutoffs vary by subject. All courses are held at Red Hook High School and attendance is expected.
The Summer Academy is sponsored by the Red Hook Education Foundation, the Ascienzo Foundation and the district Office of Curriculum and Instruction.
Red Hook High School students explored dozens of careers and post-graduation possibilities at a career fair held in the school’s gymnasium May 20. The fair was attended by more than 60 professionals from nearly 40 organizations, representing more than 45 different job paths, ranging from artist, banker and farmer to law enforcement, data analyst and architect. Kristin Carter, the deputy director of the Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum was in attendance, as was Dutchess County Agricultural Society CEO Andy Imperati and various representatives from area colleges. Members of the school district operated various booths to talk about being a teacher, physical therapist, psychologist, or even the director of food services. Board of Education President Russ Crafton likewise talked to students about his role as managing director of the BlueSquare Capital Group. Students were able to go table-to-table engaging with the representatives to learn more about what different jobs entail and how to go about pursuing it. Most representatives came armed with handouts and pamphlets for students to take home.
When Scott Burrell was traded from the Golden State Warriors to the Chicago Bulls in September 1997, he joined a team that had won back-to-back NBA championships and was under scrutiny to win a third.
“I was the only new guy, really, on the team,” the former NBA forward explained to an auditorium of Red Hook High School students Tuesday. “I had never been to an NBA Finals, where every pass, every shot, the whole world’s watching you. It’s a different level of pressure.
“As long as you’re prepared,” he said of handling the pressure, “that’s all you can do to do your best.”
Mr. Burrell, a former standout for the UConn men’s basketball team and eight-year NBA veteran who now coaches the Southern Connecticut State men’s basketball team, visited Red Hook High School Tuesday to discuss mental health, healthy habits and tips for being successful.
Watch a video of the event here.
The visit came courtesy of Access: Supports for Living, the Hudson Valley-based organization devoted to providing a range of social support services. That includes a program that Principal Dr. Kyle Roddey helped pioneer while working at Fallsburg Junior Senior High School, in which celebrity guests discuss mental health with students. Previously, former New York Yankee and current broadcaster John Flaherty visited Red Hook two years ago.
Mr. Burrell participated in two sessions for the Red Hook students in the Performing Arts Center, speaking to half the student body in each while the other half participated in the career fair in the gymnasium. Dr. Roddey and Mr. Burrell sat together on stage and the principal guided the conversation with a series of questions.
Before, after and in-between the sessions, Burrell was generous with his time. He spoke with Flex students and the Raiders basketball teams, and posed for selfies with students and some staff members when lines to meet him formed unprompted.
Visit the district website to read more about the presentation.
To conclude their three-week reading incentive program, Mill Road students and teachers enjoyed a luau.
The program began May 12 on a day when every student went outside to enjoy reading on a sunny day in the grass around the school. The party on May 30 featured a barbeque lunch, icy snacks and more than a dozen games and activities, from “Starfish Tic Tac Toe” and “Seahorse Races” to “Shark Bite Corn Hole.” There was also a “Shark Attack Photo Booth” and a “Hawaiian Tattoo Station.”
The RoboRaiders had already qualified for the regional championships by mid-December. Still, they felt they weren’t where they wanted to be.
Sure, their robot needed work – but that’s been the case every season. This year, the team leaders were thinking more about where the club would be next fall. Several of the graduating seniors played a key role in the club reestablishing itself after the COVID-imposed hiatus and the class has worked to build the success, participation and equality of the team since.
“We focused on sustainability with our younger members,” Quinlan Kortbus said. “There’s sort of an unprecedented potential gap of knowledge there. We wanted to fill that by having a one-to-one mentor system. Seniors took one or two freshmen or rookie members in general and taught them their specific role on the team.”
In the end, the RoboRaiders finished the 2024-25 season celebrating not only a successful regional meet in which it narrowly missed out on the goal of reaching the world championships, but also a stronger structure to sustain a high level of achievement.
“As seniors, we’ve spent so much time in the build room, just time spent on robotics, the relationships we’ve cultivated through robotics, it makes it a place you really want to be,” Kaitlin Murphy said. “You want to pass that on to other people. You want other people to have the same experience as you. So, you want to bring in more people and you want to teach them how to succeed.”
The RoboRaiders, a First Tech Challenge, or FTC, team established nearly 15 years ago, compete in a handful of qualifying meets from fall into winter with the ultimate goal of qualifying for their regional and world championships. This past March, the 18-member team earned a prestigious award at regionals. Though it missed out on qualifying for worlds, Kortbus called this year’s robot the best the club has ever produced, and Murphy said it was the best they’ve competed in the robot game at regionals in her years there, calling it “a huge success.”
More importantly, they said this year's team laid the groundwork for future success.
Visit the high school's website to read more about how they did it and what goes into being a RoboRaider.
“It’s here. It’s really special to look at," said Kaelyn, who has attended the district since kindergarten. “This is something I’m very proud of."
The book is a fantasy novel that tells the story of two characters, a pauper who resorts to stealing to help her sister and a prince, who circumstances force to work together and form a relationship. It explores the dichotomy of people from completely different situations feeling differing pressures, including those from within their family.
Kaelyn called the writing process “personal,” noting she didn’t even tell her parents until she was midway through the second draft, and wouldn’t let her Mom read it until the third draft was complete.
“I did get some tears out of her,” Kaelyn recalled of that first reading. “It was after she finished it, she and my Dad said ‘This is really good. We definitely need to publish this.’”
Visit the high school's website to read more about Kaelyn, the process of creating the book and where you can find it.
Red Hook High School Principal Kyle Roddey earned his Doctorate in Educational Leadership from Seton Hall University last month. Dr. Roddey successfully defended his dissertation, titled “Faculty and Administrator Perceptions of the Implementation of the International Baccalaureate Diploma Program in Relation to Rogers’ Theory of Diffusion of Innovation.”
This achievement marks a significant milestone in Dr. Roddey’s career as an educator and leader. His research explored how innovative academic programs, such as the International Baccalaureate (IB), are perceived and adopted within school communities, offering timely insights into educational change and program implementation.
“I am incredibly grateful for the support of my family, colleagues, and the community throughout this journey,” Dr. Roddey said.
Red Hook Superintendent of Schools Dr. Janet Warden stated, “This achievement is a testament to Dr. Roddey's hard work and passion for education. We are truly proud to celebrate this moment with him.”
Since coming to Red Hook in February 2023, Dr. Roddey has worked to expand educational opportunities for all students, including by implementing the IB English for All program, which provides all 11th and 12th graders with IB instruction and the opportunity to earn college credit. This past fall, Dr. Roddey earned a Vision of Hope Award from Access: Supports for Living, in recognition of his contributions beginning the organization’s mental health program that is now utilized throughout the mid-Hudson Valley.
Dr. Roddey looks forward to bringing his new training and expertise in research to his current role as he continues to build on Red Hook’s success.
Next school year, students in Red Hook and across New York will receive free school breakfast and lunch regardless of their family’s income through the Universal School Meals Act approved as part of the state budget. School officials, advocates and legislators gathered at Mill Road Elementary School last month to celebrate the momentous program, which includes all school districts, charter schools and nonpublic schools that participate in the national school lunch and breakfast program.
Watch a video from the day here.
“This initiative marks a critical step toward ensuring that every student has access to the nutritious meals they need to learn, grow and thrive,” Superintendent of Schools Dr. Janet Warden said in her opening remarks. “But, this program is about more than food. It’s about equity, dignity and opportunity for all children.”
District 41 State Sen. Michelle Hinchey, who sponsored the bill in the Senate, and District 34 Assemblymember Jessica Gonzalez-Rojas, who did the same in the Assembly, spoke, as did District 103 Assemblymember Sarahana Shrestha. Both Hinchey and Shrestha represent northern Dutchess County, among other areas. Rhinebeck Superintendent of Schools Albert Cousins, New York State United Teachers President Melinda Person, CEO of Hunger Solutions New York Andres Vives and Executive Director of Community Food Advocates Liz Accles were also among those who spoke.
Sen. Hinchey noted, around 80% of schools had already qualified for the free lunch program of last year, but advocates and lawmakers continued pushing to make it a universal right in New York. By being uniform, they said, it removes the stigma some may feel in taking part in the program due to their family’s income level. And, free meals will save the average family $165 per month.
Red Hook for several years has offered free breakfast to all its students through generous annual donations from the Ascienzo Family Foundation, which was honored during the gathering, and free and reduced lunch to qualifying students. Red Hook can now opt-in to the statewide program for breakfast and lunch.
Larry Anthony, food services director for Red Hook, Rhinebeck and Pine Plains, pointed out, the existing farm-to-school program in which the state is encouraging schools to include at least 30% of New York-sourced ingredients in their meals will mean many of the students receiving free lunches will be eating foods with healthy ingredients. He called the free meals initiative “a basic humanitarian effort.”
Many who spoke pointed out the importance of consistent and nutritious meals in putting students in the best conditions to learn effectively. That includes the fifth grade students invited to speak to the room, Kimberly Merchan, Gunner Lynch and Mahi Jain, who also talked about the stigma that exists in some schools.
“Making school breakfast and lunch free will make sure no kid’s embarrassed about not being able to afford it,” Mahi said. “With this new program no student or family will feel any shame about food insecurity … hopefully our class will be the last class that this is an issue for.”
