By Bronxville School Board of Education

Jan. 25, 2022: On January 20, the Bronxville Board of Education sent out the following summary of the January Board of Education meeting (blue headings were added).

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Happy New Year from your Board of Education, and a big welcome to our new interim Superintendent and 28-year veteran of the Bronxville School District, Dr. Rachel Kelly.

Superintendent Search, Investigation Update, DEI Conversation

At last night’s meeting, the BOE opened the meeting with an update on several items, noting that the superintendent search officially closed to applications as of this past Friday, January 13.

Separately, the independent investigation involving a teacher is expected to be completed in early February.

With respect to the continuing DEI conversation, the BOE expects to outline a process for more community input at the February meeting, appreciates the community’s feedback, takes this topic seriously, and wishes to be thoughtful in sharing its point of view.

The BOE voted to approve minutes from the nine meetings the board has held in the last month: five search-related, two in connection with the independent investigation, one related to strategy and curriculum and one for the December regular meeting.

Alarming Issue

Dr. Kelly called attention to an important and alarming issue regarding the risk of fentanyl-tainted vape pens, noting the news story about a New Rochelle HS student who was revived from a potential overdose by school nurses who administered Narcan. Dr. Kelly assured the community that Narcan is available in our school should it ever be necessary. She also highlighted the celebration of the MLK day holiday in each of the schools, recent professional development in “mental health first aid” and introduced the first draft of the 2023-24 school calendar. 

Student Activities, Cybersecurity, Personnel

HS Junior Shea Lewis provided a comprehensive update on student activities including the winter concerts, basketball tournaments, athletic accomplishments, field trips, course selection counseling and upcoming midterms. 

Director of Technology Brad Ashley presented on cybersecurity in our district. BOE member Mike Finley commented on recent stories about ransom paid by other districts and Mr. Ashley reinforced the importance and effectiveness of phishing campaigns as a defensive measure.

The Board voted on several personnel items reviewed by Dr. Kelly, including a new guidance counselor who will fill in during two consecutive personal leaves, two new teacher aides, and the spring coaches roster. 

Finance

Assistant Superintendent for Business Dan Carlin provided a financial update noting that this year’s revenue outlook continues to improve due to better than anticipated interest income and tuition from regular and special ed students. He expects there will be an opportunity to add to needed reserves for facilities and the employment retirement system contributions. For next year, Mr. Carlin continues to caution about the impact of inflation and the need for building maintenance. 

Mr. Carlin noted that the District had received an offer from a community member for the gift of an electronic message board, which could be used for athletic and other school calendar announcements. He said that the leadership team was discussing this generous offer and how it might fit into Bronxville’s landscape - most likely on the Meadow side - and that he would report back at a later board meeting.

The Board voted to gratefully accept three off-cycle Bronxville School Foundation grants: one for $8.1K in new athletic training equipment from the Coach Bob McGrath Fund for Athletics, and two roughly $21K grants for work by the ES and MS, respectively, with consultant EnRusk.

Design Thinking, Civil Discourse

Asst. Superintendent for Curriculum Dr. Mara Koetke provided an overview of EnRusk’s work with the district, which began in the HS during the 2019-20 school year. EnRusk specializes in “design thinking”, which puts the “customer” (in our case, the student) at the center of problem-solving and planning, utilizing a deliberate and collaborative team approach involving teachers, student and parent representatives. 

Dr. Koetke provided an update from the Strategy and Curriculum Committee meeting held recently. She discussed efforts to strengthen the teaching of a framework around civil discourse, and also called attention to places in the curriculum where anti-semitism and more generally, being an “upstander” are addressed. BOE member Eddie Lennon commented on the importance of reinforcing these themes in the HS and BOE member Michael Brandes commented on how students learning a framework for civil discourse is essential.

The meeting concluded with reminders about budget workshops on January 28 and March 4, a regular BOE meeting on February 16 and workshops to be scheduled in order to continue the DEI conversation.

Bronxville School Board

Susan Conniff, President

Michael Brandes, Vice President

Michael Finley

Miki Kapoor

Edward Lennon

Peter McSherry

Jennifer Russo