Saturday, December 20, 2008

School Sponsors Science Seminars

The Bronxville School District is doing its part to create the next crop of critical thinkers by organizing a series of lectures on a variety of scientific topics intended to prepare students for the 21st century workplace and the increasingly global, knowledge-based economy. Superintendent David Quattrone cited the science seminars as an excellent example of the District's effort to adopt a global perspective and focus on application of knowledge and real-world problem solving skills.

In October, the Science Department invited Dr. William Macaulay, the director of the Center for Hip and Knee Replacement at New York-Presbyterian The University Hospital of Columbia and Cornell, who spoke about his work and showed the students a video of one of his hip resurfacing surgeries.

On Dec. 8, Bronxville resident Dr. Lou Massa, who is a professor in the Chemistry and Physics Department of Hunter College, will speak to high school biology and Chemistry II students on the “Quantum Biology of the Ribosome” and its role in protein production in the body. The lecture will take place in the high school auditorium. On Feb. 13, Stuart Firestein, professor of neurobiology at Columbia University, will be speaking about olfactory reception (how we smell).

“Our plan has been to schedule a speaker about once every month or two,” said Ann Meyer, a science teacher at the high school. “The goal is to expose students to careers in science and math and to connect current research to what they are learning in class here in Bronxville.”

Friday, December 19, 2008

Financial Update

Assistant Superintendent Dan Carlin presented facts and figures related to flood-related construction and projected reductions in state aid. The presentation confirms that there will be a surplus of about $300,000 on this phase of the construction project. After insurance and FEMA reimbursements, the local share of restoration and recovery work is about 12%. The presentation can be viewed below.


Uploaded on authorSTREAM by quattrod

Environmental Club Spreads the Word

Earlier in the fall, the High School Environmental Club installed several LiveRoof modules of grassy plants as part of their Green Roof Project. These modules are 1 by 2 foot plastic containers, approximately 4 inches deep. As group raises the funds to install more modules they will gradually cover part of the school's roof.

The students followed up a few weeks later with visits to fifth grade classrooms to talk about the Project and school recycling programs. Senior Alexa Jackson orchestrated the entire event. Club members came with posters and other props, and the fifth graders quickly became engrossed, asking questions and sharing their own ideas with the older students. Faculty members Clare Gorman and Amy Bastone helped bring the two groups of students together. Fifth Grade teacher Adrienne Laitman commented, "Beyond learning about the benefits and costs of Green Roof modules, fifth graders got a real-life lesson on how initiative, determ
ination and cooperation can lead to positive changes in the community. You can’t beat that for an afternoon at school!"

Thursday, December 18, 2008

District Prepares for Fiscal Crunch: $200,000 Cut Now, More Later

Caution - in capital letters - was the word from Dan Carlin, Assistant Superintendent for Business. At the December Board meeting Carlin announced a $200,000 reduction in the current budget. This reduction, representing equipment and flood-related operating costs, will help the district anticipate any revenue shortfalls. Although the District does not expect any mid-year reductions in state aid, Carlin pointed out the uncertainties of income from interest, sales tax receipts, and certiorari settlements.

"We want to offset any revenue shortfalls by generating general fund surpluses on the expenditure side," he said. He added that reserves may give the District some flexibility in the 2009-10 budget. (The district expects a 10% reduction in state aid in 2009-10 - about $178,000)

Superintendent David Quattrone put the $200,000 freeze in the broader context of developing future budgets. More current budget reductions may come after a review in January. Then, on February 7, he will present a "roll-over budget" that answers the question, What would it cost to run the same programs in 2009-10? This projection will include contractual obligations and expected changes in health insurance premiums and utility costs.

Then the administration will present a series of options related to further reductions, including possible adjustments in class size and changes in non-mandated programs. Over a longer period of time, there may be opportunities to plan for further changes in management structure or delivery models. Quattrone emphasized that it is still possible to innovate and improve within existing budgetary constraints.

Board members have encouraged early and regular communication with the public about the budget plans, mentioning that per pupil cost comparisons may assist the Board in making decisions.