By Staff

Feb. 14, 2024: The Bronxville Board of Education met yesterday by Zoom because Bronxville was blanketed in snow.

The Board accepted the resignation of 10 faculty members effective the end of the school year. These faculty members are taking advantage of the school's early retirement incentive. The retiring faculty members are as follows:

-Ms. Elizabeth Agarabi (HS English Teacher) after 27 years of service

-Mr. James Agnello (MS Guidance Counselor) after 26 years of service

-Ms. Erin Cramer (ES Kindergarten Teacher) after 20 years of service

-Ms. Lisa DeSanto (MS Guidance Counselor) after 24 years of service

-Ms. Lee DiTullio (HS Science Teacher) after 18 years of service

-Ms. Elizabeth Fousek (ES Art Teacher) after 34 years of service

-Mr. Steven Klurfeld (HS Social Studies Teacher), after 24 years of service 

-Ms. Cynthia Maupin (HS Mathematics Teacher) after 21 years of service 

-Ms. Susan Monaco (ES Science Teacher) after 27 years of service

-Ms. Pamela Simpson (MS/HS Chorus Teacher) after 25 years of service 

Bronxville School Superintendent Dr. Rachel Kelly provided highlights from each school. 

Elementary School

Dr. Kelly said that the Elementary School made a "Valentines for Veterans" donation to be distributed to veterans at the Mount Kisco Veterans Home. She also reported that the Elementary School has a new book vending machine. Students can put in a coin to select a library book.

Middle School

Students did a week of sustainability awareness, including watching the film "Kiss the Ground," about a movement to "regenerate our planet." Students on the Middle School Green Team presented steps everyone can take to make the planet green. Greenburg Nature Center also visited the Middle School to talk about recycling.

High School

High School Students produced the musical Curtains.  

The girls' and boys' indoor track teams also won sectionals, even though the boys' team graduated 22 seniors a year ago.

Matthew Curran, the student represented to the Board, reported that the Senior Class held a luncheon at Taco Project for students and faculty to celebrate the halfway mark in the year. He also said the junior and senior classes will host a school-wide volleyball tournament and that Valentine's Day candygrams are being distributed throughout the high school. 

Freshmen Transition Program

Aaron Kind, Director of Counseling, spoke about the evolution of the freshmen transition program, which helps 9th graders transition to high school. Lauren Keschner, high school psychologist, and Tim Nelson, guidance counselor for the 5th and 9th grades, presented information about the school's improved freshmen transition program. Two freshmen transition leaders also spoke about the program.  

Nelson explained how the program incorporates many aspects of the "Bronxville Promise," including promoting emotional and social wellness, inspiring others to leadership, and providing an opportunity for engaged citizenship among diverse groups of freshmen.

He said that freshmen transition leaders share their experiences in meetings with the 9th graders as part of the program and that there is a "Study Skills website" that provides information to help freshmen develop executive functioning skills.

Keschner said that the activities of the transition program include group projects such as creating gingerbread houses and information about study strategies.

Kind also said that there will be training from the One Love Foundation, which focuses on providing students with information about healthy relationships.

Additionally, as part of the freshmen transition program upperclassmen talk with freshmen about how they choose their classes. 

Dr. Kelly reviewed the school's 2024-25 calendar, which includes 182 student days and 186 faculty days. The four additional faculty days are the superintendent conference days. She also spoke about each of the ten faculty members who are retiring this year, and discussed new hires, upcoming leaves and leave replacements.

Dan Carlin, Bronxville School Assistant Superintendent for Business, provided a financial update. He said he continues to project $600k in higher revenue than budget this year due to higher interest income, nonresident tuition, and special education tuition. He also said that next year, there will be savings of close to $400k due to early retirements and lower overall staffing costs. The Board will vote on the Budget in March. 

Carlin also provided a facilities update. The school will be getting estimates on an enclosure for the flood mitigation pumps and a security vestibule. Carlin says they are reviewing the five-year capital plan and will continue prioritizing projects. They are also updating the facilities use policies and developing a plan for the beautification and upkeep of the grounds. For example, they are looking to see if water collected in the school's well can be used to irrigate the grounds.

Dr. Kelly said the school is progressing with design plans and estimates for a security vestibule at the Pondfield entrance. There is already a vestibule at the Meadow Avenue and Midland Avenue entrances. She also said that the school is installing an additional 37 cameras. The Bronxville Police Department also has access to these cameras. Kelly noted that there will also be a camera in the outdoor classroom.

Trustee Kapoor said that The Bronxville School Foundation is kicking off its grant cycle and is eager to support grant requests. It is also undertaking fundraising for the coming year.

Here is a link to watch the Board Meeting on You Tube

February 13, 2024 - BOE Meeting - Public Session (youtube.com)