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Letter to the Community From Dr. Rachel Kelly and the Bronxville School Board: Update on Permanent Field Lighting at the Bronxville School

Feb. 24, 2026

Dear Bronxville Community,

We hope this message finds you and your families well.  The purpose of this letter is to update the school and broader community regarding permanent field lighting as an option to address our field constraints.  Since the public announcement that we were exploring this, the Study Group made up of community members, Facilities Committee members, and District leadership met twice.  In early February, the Superintendent shared a document with input from the Study Group, the Board of Education, and Leadership Team.  The document can be found here - Community Communication - and outlines the variables leading to our field constraints as well as possible solutions and their limitations.

The Bronxville School’s limited outdoor athletic space presents a significant and complex challenge to supporting its robust athletics program. It’s the obligation of the Board and Leadership to do our due diligence to help solve challenges the District faces and we take this responsibility seriously. As a result, continued research and thoughtful evaluation of potential alternatives are essential to ensuring that The Bronxville School can effectively support its student-athletes now and in the future.

In order to allow for community members to have a voice, we developed a thought exchange regarding the proposal for permanent field lighting at our school. We greatly appreciate the time and effort each of you took to provide your insights and perspectives on this important issue.

Throughout the exchange, it became clear that the community holds a wide range of views on the potential installation of permanent field lighting. Many participants expressed concerns about the impact on the Village's character, the increased noise and light pollution, and the effect on property values. There were also significant worries about the environmental impact, including potential disruptions to the flood mitigation system and the broader ecosystem.

Conversely, some community members highlighted the benefits of increased field availability, enhanced safety for student athletes, and the potential for fostering a stronger sense of community through evening events. However, the overarching sentiment was one of caution, with many emphasizing the importance of preserving the unique charm and character of Bronxville.

After careful consideration of all the feedback and weighing the potential benefits against the concerns raised, we have decided not to move forward with permanent field lighting as an option. Although there were sound arguments and strong points of view on both sides of the issue, we believe this decision aligns with the community's desire to maintain the Village's historical integrity while honoring the perspectives of all residents.

We remain committed to exploring alternative solutions that address the needs of our student athletes while respecting the concerns of our Village. The Study Group will continue to engage in this important work.

Thank you once again for your participation and for being an integral part of our community. We especially appreciate those who shared their thoughts with civility and respect. Your voices are invaluable in shaping the future of The Bronxville School.

Warm regards,

  

Rachel L. Kelly, Ph.D., Superintendent of Schools

Board of Education

Edward Lennon, President

Sara Kenny, Vice President

Michael Brandes

Susan Connniff

Miki Kapoor

Peter McSherry

Christina Skinner
 

 

 

 

Editor's note:  MyhometownBronxville does not fact-check statements in letters to the editor, and the opinions do not necessarily reflect the thinking of its staff. Its objective in publishing letters to the editor is to give air to diverse thoughts and opinions of residents in the community.   

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Bronxville Overview

Bronxville is a quaint village (one square mile) located just 16 miles north of midtown Manhattan (roughly 30 minutes on the train) and has a population of approximately 6,500. It is known as a premier community with an excellent public school (K-12) and easy access to Manhattan. Bronxville offers many amenities including an attractive business district, a hospital (Lawrence Hospital), public paddle and tennis courts, fine dining at local restaurants, two private country clubs and a community library.

While the earliest settlers of Bronxville date back to the first half of the 18th century, the history of the modern suburb of Bronxville began in 1890 when William Van Duzer Lawrence purchased a farm and commissioned the architect, William A. Bates, to design a planned community of houses for well-known artists and professionals that became a thriving art colony. This community, now called Lawrence Park, is listed on the National register of Historic Places and many of the homes still have artists’ studios. A neighborhood association within Lawrence Park called “The Hilltop Association” keeps this heritage alive with art shows and other events for neighbors.

Bronxville offers many charming neighborhoods as well as a variety of living options for residents including single family homes, town houses, cooperatives and condominiums. One of the chief benefits of living in “the village” is that your children can attend the Bronxville School.

The Bronxville postal zone (10708, known as “Bronxville PO”) includes the village of Bronxville as well as the Chester Heights section of Eastchester, parts of Tuckahoe and the Lawrence Park West, Cedar Knolls, Armour Villa and Longvale sections of Yonkers. Many of these areas have their own distinct character. For instance, the Armour Villa section has many historic homes and even has its own newsletter called “The Villa Voice” which reports on neighborhood news.

Bronxville Village Government Directory

Village of Bronxville Administrative Offices
337-6500
Open 9:00am - 4pm excluding holidays and weekends

Bronxville Police Department
337-0500
Open 24 hours

Bronxville Parking Violations
337-2024
Open 9:00am - 4pm excluding holidays and weekends

Bronxville Fire Deparment
793-6400

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