The Croton-Harmon Board of Education moved one step closer to finalizing its finances for the coming year on Thursday, holding a public hearing on the proposed $48.3 million budget for the 2025-2026 school year. The hearing, held at the Croton-Harmon High School auditorium, marked the final phase of the budget process before the public vote on May 20. Superintendent Brendan Walker highlighted that while the document details dollars and cents, its core is about the district's direction. "Budgets are about dollars and cents, but they're also fundamentally about vision and about values," Superintendent Walker said. {{quote:569}} "So, every time we talk about the budget, our goal is that the community takes away a sense of what it is we're trying to accomplish in this district in this moment for every student." The proposed spending plan totals $48,311,754, representing a 2.96% increase in the tax levy—the amount the district collects in property taxes. This increase keeps the district comfortably beneath the state-mandated tax levy limit, meaning a simple majority is required for passage rather than a supermajority. In a departure from traditional slide presentations, the district debuted a budget video to outline the spending plan. The video emphasized the district's "Vision Map," a strategic framework focusing on interdisciplinary learning, professional culture, and faculty collaboration. "We are focused on three key areas: genuine interdisciplinary learning opportunities for all students, an innovative professional culture that encourages thoughtful risk-taking," the presentation noted. {{quote:652}} **Library Director Addresses "National Climate"** Prior to the school budget presentation, the Board heard from Jesse, the director of the Croton Free Library, regarding the library’s proposed funding for the coming year. Jesse used the platform to address a broader "national climate" regarding libraries, noting that institutions across the country are facing "increased scrutiny and pressure." "We're witnessing a troubling rise in attempts to censor information, challenge programming, and restrict access to materials in school and public libraries," Jesse said. {{quote:6}} "These trends are gravely concerning, and they're reminders of how essential our institutions truly are." While the Croton library has not seen the severe challenges found elsewhere, Jesse noted that the community has not been entirely immune to outside pressure. "Over the past year, we've even experienced attempts from different groups to sway our programming and influence our elections," the director said. {{quote:6}} Financially, the library’s budget was described as the "tightest" in recent memory due to rising insurance costs for both the building and employees. To maintain services without exceeding the tax cap, the library shifted funding for special events from taxpayer dollars to grants and fundraising reserves. "We want to still keep the programming, but we wouldn't be able to [keep] the tax cap under [if we used tax money]," an administrator explained during the meeting. {{quote:655}} **New "Library of Things" Launches** Despite the fiscal tightening, the library is expanding its services. A key highlight of the evening was the announcement of a "Library of Things," launching June 1st. Funded by a grant secured with the help of Assemblywoman Dana Levenberg, the program will allow cardholders to borrow practical items such as sewing machines, cooking thermometers, and air quality monitors. "It's about access. It's about creativity. It's about helping people solve everyday problems and explore new skills," Jesse said. {{quote:6}} The library budget also includes the creation of a new full-time position, the "Head of Other Services," intended to strengthen leadership within the department. **What’s Next** Residents will have the final say on the school budget on Tuesday, May 20. Polls will be open at the Croton-Harmon High School gymnasium from 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. In addition to the budget, voters will elect three members to the Board of Education.