On the June 9, 2020 ballot, voters will be asked to elect candidates to fill two (2) open seats on the Board of Education. Each elected seat is a three-year, non-paid term ending in 2023. The following incumbent candidates will be listed on the ballot in alphabetical order: Sage Carter, Carrie Otty. Read about the candidates below.
Sage Carter
I, Sage Carter, have served on the HCSD Board of Education since 2014. I have been very proud to serve during this time. The district has made many improvements, moving from a “Focus District” to one in good standing, implementing SMART goals for the district that raise the bar for academic achievement and strive to support the well-being of all our students. We’ve increased the graduation rate greatly, and stabilized our finances in the wake of the great recession and cuts in State aid, and completed an ambitious Capital Project to consolidate our schools, improve our academic facilities, and build a new state-of-art Bluehawk Sports Complex. While some progress has been made, there is far to go and much to do. I hope to continue in my role as board member to help move the district forward and improve the education we provide each and every student we serve.
The state-wide closures resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic and the resulting economic crisis are going to require creative thinking and difficult choices by the Board of Education. My commitment to serve this community has never been stronger. I hope you can support me as I strive to assist our schools and “weather the storm” in the best way we can.
I am the proud parent of an upcoming 8th grader at the Hudson Junior High. I am also very proud to serve on the board for Harmony Project Hudson, bringing free, quality music instruction in an afterschool setting to HCSD students from Kindergarten through the 7th grade. Professionally, I am the general manager at Hudson Hall, aka the Hudson Opera House. I have over 20 years of experience in theatrical design and management in the performing arts, and further have experience in construction and facilities management. At varying times, I have served on the policy, facilities, audit, and budget committees for the HCSD.
Carrie Otty
Carrie Otty
I’ve been a member of the Board of Education since November of 2011. The Hudson City School District has accomplished a lot since then. The District came out of FOCUS by achieving grade expectations and raising our graduation rate. As a district, we have become fiscally sound, which enables us to provide more opportunities for our students. We’ve added STEAM, AVID, more college level courses and occupational education opportunities. We are focusing on the social emotional well-being of our students and taking a more restorative justice approach in student discipline. Our graduation rate has increased from 59% to 80%. We have more to achieve.
The 2015 Capital Project is now complete. The Bluehawk Sports Complex enables our students to have track meets at their own school, which hasn’t happened in many years. The complex provides a state-of-the-art field that is used for football games and soccer games. This brings our students and community pride in their school with a beautiful view of the Catskill Mountains. The addition to Montgomery C. Smith has allowed us to house grades Pre-k through 5 students under one roof.
Separate from the Capital Project, we were able to grant our baseball community’s request to keep the baseball field at Montgomery C. Smith Elementary School. Upgrades will give our students a great place to play baseball. It also makes use of the old football field and allows for comfortable and adequate seating for the community. Improvements are in progress at the main campus fields as well.
Write-In Candidates
In addition to these candidates, voters may write-in names of preferred candidates to fill the two open seats. Write-in candidates must reside within the Hudson City School District.