Jeanette Wolfberg is reporting in The Columbia Paper the Hudson Board of Education last week adopted its 2017-18 budget totaling $46.57 million, which requires a 2.19 percent tax levy increase for district residents. The measure goes to the voters on Tue., May 16. Under the new spending plan, the district would continue all non-mandated programs and hire additional staff, while maintaining mandated programs. Following the adoption of the 2017-18 state budget, the district learned it will receive $360,000 more in state aid than anticipated. “Usually we have a gap to close,” said Superintendent Maria Suttmeier. “This year we didn’t.” New staff positions include: One more 5th, and 6th grade teachers, additional second art and music teachers, a secondary school math coach, a full-time associate principal for the intermediate school, a human resources specialist and a behavior specialist. Read the full story in The Columbia Paper.