TOWN OF POUGHKEEPSIE – Less than one year after being named to the Dutchess Community College Board of Trustees, Bill Steinhaus, the former Dutchess County Executive, tendered his resignation in a March 22nd email sent to Dutchess County Executive Marc Molinaro and other officials. His term was set to expire on June 30, 2026.
The 12-page manifesto contains pages of accusations of financial mismanagement by the Dutchess Community College (DCC) Board of Trustees and the school’s current administration, a lengthy history of his time in county government, and a few suggestions of changes he claims are needed to run the school more efficiently. The actual statement regarding his resignation is on page 11.
“Sadly, in recent years, enrollment has been dropping like a rock over a cliff, and has not slowed,” he said, before claiming financial mismanagement.
Further in the document, Steinhaus added “Simply said, the financial decisions and policies, the strategic philosophy and ideology from the Trustees, its leadership, and the administration, both currently and over recent years, are ill-advised and not sustainable.” The now-former board member also claims “President Jordan has presented the Trustees with a multi-year budget projection showing red ink of multi-million dollar deficits of expense against operating revenue,” which he finds troubling.
The former county executive said he is resigning to create a vacancy on the board that he hopes will be filled by a second Dutchess County Legislator. Stephen Caswell, the legislator from East Fishkill is currently on the DCC board. The New York Education Law determines the structure of the board for community colleges in the state. Only one county legislator is permitted to serve on the board under state law.
Dutchess County Executive Marc Molinaro and Legislature Chairman Gregg Pulver were unavailable to comment. Board President Michael Dupree did not respond to a request from Mid-Hudson News.
