The Croton-Harmon Board of Education will hold a public budget hearing and consider significant policy revisions during its upcoming meeting on Thursday, May 7, 2026 at 7:30 PM. The evening's most significant agenda item will be the open public budget hearing, where community members will have the opportunity to comment on the district's proposed spending plan. The board will formally open and close the public budget hearing during the meeting, giving residents a final chance to weigh in before the budget vote. Trustees are also expected to discuss a major overhaul of the district's educational philosophy policy. The proposed Policy 0000 will establish a new vision statement declaring that "all members of our learning community will demonstrate an enduring curiosity, engage in the pursuit of inspiration, and develop the habits of mind to promote personal growth and the well-being of society." The revised policy emphasizes that the district will offer students "a broad range of experiences and values face-to-face dialogue, hands-on learning, outdoor activity, reading physical texts, and collaborative problem-solving" while ensuring technology use remains "developmentally appropriate, active, intentional." Board members will vote on Policy 2510 regarding new board member orientation during its second reading. The updated policy will require new trustees to receive the Board's Norms and Protocols handbook and expand orientation materials to include meeting minutes from the previous year and financial reports. The policy also encourages new members to attend training opportunities through the New York State School Boards Association. The district will seek approval for a significant technology purchase, with trustees expected to vote on a budget transfer for new iPads. Supporting documents show the district plans to purchase 270 iPad Wi-Fi 128GB units in blue, packaged in 10-packs, along with AppleCare+ coverage and Logitech Rugged Combo cases with integrated keyboards. The total education list price for the technology package comes to $132,595.50, according to an Apple quote dated April 16, 2026. Several donations will come before the board for approval, including an $8,000 Glowforge laser cutter grant from the Croton-Harmon Education Foundation (CHEF). The grant, originally requested for $8,249, will fund a project titled "Glowforge: Carving and Designing for the Future" in the district's art and industrial design programs. Additional donations include CHHS PTSA scholarships and a DASNY "SAM" Grant. Personnel matters will feature prominently on the agenda, with the board set to vote on instructional personnel recommendations including a leave of absence request. Trustees will also consider a side letter agreement with the Croton Teachers' Association regarding additional sections of instruction. The consent agenda includes numerous summer program approvals, including recommendations for the Carrie E. Tompkins Elementary School Summer Camp and the Croton-Harmon High School College Application Camp. The board will also vote on an English Language Learner Summer Program focused on "Language, Literacy, and Learning" at the elementary school. Special education items dominate the consent agenda, with trustees expected to approve Extended School Year recommendations, summer CSE recommendations, and a service agreement with The Karafin School through SEDCAR for the 2025-2026 school year. The board will also consider various special education recommendations and health and welfare services contracts. Athletic programming will see changes with the board voting on a varsity gymnastics merger for the 2026-2027 school year. Additionally, trustees will approve an election registrar recommendation and various non-instructional personnel recommendations. Superintendent Stephen Walker will deliver his regular report to the board, along with reports from the board president and student trustee ex-officio. The Croton Free Library will present its budget to trustees during a separate discussion item. The meeting will conclude with a polling of the board and entry into executive session for confidential matters. Community members will have two opportunities for public comment during the "Hearing of the Public" segments. The meeting represents one of the final opportunities for public input on the district's budget before the upcoming vote, making attendance particularly important for residents interested in the district's financial direction.