The Croton-Harmon Board of Education adopted a $62,762,808 budget for the 2026-27 school year at its April 21 business meeting, sending the spending plan to voters on May 19. The vote was 6-0. Assistant Superintendent for Business Denise Harrington-Cohen presented the final budget details, covering budget drivers, anticipated state aid, the allowable tax levy, tax rate history and projections, revenue and expense overviews, reserves, and the three-part budget structure. The presentation also included a vehicle proposition and a repair reserve proposition that will appear on the ballot alongside the budget and the board election. Superintendent Stephen Walker framed the budget around the district's vision map priorities and enhancements, noting a new district video would launch on April 22. The budget follows months of development, including an April 9 work session where building-level and personnel budgets were reviewed in detail.

BOCES Candidate Rejected

In a notable split, the board voted 5-1 against casting a vote for Richard Kreps, the sole candidate for a vacancy on the Putnam/Northern Westchester BOCES board. Trustee Neal Haber was the lone yes vote; Vice President Anamika Bhatnagar, Trustees Sarah Carrier, Omar Mayyasi, and Theo Oshiro, and President Ana Teague all voted no. The vote followed public comment earlier in the meeting, when resident Michelle Minoff urged the board not to support Kreps, citing past antisemitic remarks. According to the minutes, Haber — who was present at the meeting where the remarks allegedly occurred — said he did not hear them himself but acknowledged they had been established. He said he had witnessed nothing inappropriate in Kreps's conduct. The board separately approved the 2026-27 PNW BOCES administrative budget of $12,679,000 by a 6-0 vote. Haber noted that the administrative budget covers internal operations only, not programs or services provided to students.

New Building Leaders Named

The board approved three building-level administrative appointments, all effective July 1. Maylien Herm was appointed as principal of Pierre Van Cortlandt Middle School at an annual salary of $190,000, with a four-year probationary term running through June 30, 2030. According to the minutes, Walker said the search team was impressed with Herm throughout the process and read supportive comments from PVC parents, faculty, staff, and students. Herm holds professional certification as a School Building Leader. Erica Fiorini was named interim principal of Croton-Harmon High School for the 2026-27 school year at $190,000. Walker praised Fiorini's qualities, saying she was the right leader at the right time and that the appointment reflected how the district achieves longevity in its school system. John Bohuniek was appointed interim assistant principal at the high school at an annual base salary of $158,000, prorated, effective July 15. Walker called Bohuniek a "teacher-leader" who had proven himself as a curriculum coordinator, coach, and mentor, according to the minutes. The board also appointed Alexandra Palmatier as a 1.0 FTE English teacher at the high school at $114,691, and approved a leave of absence for elementary teacher Bianca Pizzuti.

Public Comment: Technology and Curriculum Concerns

Several residents raised concerns during the hearing of the public. A kindergarten parent said her daughter watches low-quality, high-stimulation celebrity-read book videos daily in class, and said a corporate TV show is being used as math curriculum. She said it has been difficult to get curriculum details and was told there would be no changes, meaning K-2 students would still use iPads. Leslie Pollack raised equity concerns, questioning how community members are selected for district committees and calling for broader parental participation. She asked for more curriculum transparency and tenure rationales. Ed Riely commended the district's new cell phone policy — though he said it came too late — and spoke about what he called an underpopulation problem, arguing children should not be viewed as a threat. During the board's end-of-meeting polling, several trustees echoed the technology concerns. Trustee Omar Mayyasi said the board needs a better understanding of how technology is involved with curriculum to address parent concerns. Bhatnagar asked about the technology review process. Teague directed that questions be submitted by April 27 so administrators have time to prepare responses.

Other Actions

The board approved a memorandum of agreement with the CSEA Custodial Unit establishing a Maintenance Foreperson position, and accepted a clean internal audit from R.S. Abrams & Co. covering revenue and cash management. The audit found no observations requiring corrective action, though it recommended developing a five-year risk assessment plan. Trustee Omar Mayyasi, who chairs the Audit Committee, reported that the audit was discussed at an April 9 meeting and credited the district's business team. The board also approved the 2026-27 Property Tax Report Card, awarded a gas supply services contract to NRG Business Marketing LLC for November 2026 through April 2027, accepted a $250 donation from Agnes Zaharias to the Christos Zaharias Memorial Scholarship, and approved side letters of agreement with both the Croton Teachers' Association and the Croton Harmon Administrators' Association. The next regular meeting and budget public hearing is scheduled for May 7, with the budget vote and board election set for May 19.