Speaker Heastie Kicks Off Annual Statewide Tour with Assemblymember Barrett, Announces $1.6 Million for Outdoor Classroom at Montgomery C. Smith Elementary School

Speaker Heastie Kicks Off Annual Statewide Tour with Assemblymember Barrett, Announces $1.6 Million for Outdoor Classroom at Montgomery C. Smith Elementary School

Speaker Carl Heastie today kicked off his annual statewide tour with Assemblymember Didi Barrett, visiting Montgomery C. Smith Elementary School in Hudson and announcing $1.6 million for outdoor classrooms.

"The Assembly Majority is committed to preparing our kids for a bright future and ensuring their schools have the resources to get them there," Speaker Heastie said. "I'm glad I had the opportunity to tour Montgomery C. Smith Elementary School with Assemblymember Barrett and see and hear first hand the challenges that the school and the Hudson City School District are facing. This funding will help them to create outdoor classrooms and get the kids outside and learning."

"One of the biggest challenges for my district is keeping and attracting young families to raise their children here in the beautiful Hudson Valley. While more affordable housing options and good-paying jobs are part of the solution, so, of course, is investing in high-quality public schools," said Assemblymember Barrett. "It was great fun to tour the Montgomery C. Smith Elementary School with Speaker Carl Heastie and chat with the wonderful students. The school serves pre-K through 5th graders from the urban, suburban and rural communities that make up the Hudson City School District. I was thrilled to announce $1.6 million in funding for a new outdoor classroom and other amenities to allow students to spend more time outside - learning and enjoying nature!"

Speaker Heastie and Assemblymember Barrett toured Montgomery C. Smith Elementary School with Principal Mark Brenneman and Hudson City School District Superintendent Brian Bailey. They met with parents working to create an outdoor learning classroom and announced $1.6 million in capital funding to aid in the building and creation of these outdoor classrooms. Students currently lack space for recess and outdoor learning. The school district serves more than 1,600 students pre-K through 12th grade from the city of Hudson, and parts of Greenport, Claverack, Germantown, Livingston, Taghkanic, Stockport and Stuyvesant. It has faced significant financial challenges, and the budget, passed in May 2026, would require laying off more than 30 employees.