At the end of the meeting, during a public comment period, Mill Street residents Jack Hornickel and Josh Kipp appealed to the new board and the new interim superintendent to rescind the resolution the board passed on February 27, 2024, which nullified the reverter clause in the 1983 deed that conveyed what had been part of the Charles Williams School playground from the school district to the City of Hudson. That clause specified that if the land were to be used for any purpose other than a park or for recreation, ownership would revert back to the Hudson City School District. In exchange for negating the reverter clause, the City agreed to give the school district half the proceeds of the sale of the parcel to Kearney Realty.
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| Photo: Lance Wheeler |
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| Photo: Lance Wheeler |
More about the lawsuit can be found here. Hornickel and Kipp's comments to the school board can be heard here, beginning at 22:08.
COPYRIGHT 2025 CAROLE OSTERINK
Sorry to be a tchudak about the Board of Ed meeting, but the most important part of the meeting for some of us was the Board discussion about filling an opening, resulting from the resignation of sitting member Calvin Lewis (to take over the Youth Director's job for the City). Seven members on the BOE -- one, as I know very well from my five years on the board, can make a big difference. If you're interested, send in a letter of interest. I've already got mine in. --peter meyer
ReplyDeleteDid Calvin Lewis resign over a conflict of interest or simply because of the time burden?
ReplyDeleteWas there a statement?
Transparency matters here, especially for a district that has faced persistent questions about governance.
The larger issue is the Mill Street lawsuit. If it proceeds to discovery, HCSD risks exposure. A paper trail (or lack thereof) could show whether the board acted independently or bent under pressure from the Mayor of Hudson. That is a serious matter.
By the time this plays out, Mayor Kamal will likely be out of office. The liability, reputational and legal, could remain with HCSD.
A prudent board would seek distance from political interference now, before the courts force it into daylight.
2026 Hudson will not tolerate 2024 Hudson standards and ethics.