At its February meeting the Bronxville Board of Education accepted an $875,000 donation from the PTA in support of the planned renovation of the School auditorium. PTA Vice President Margaret Mager presented the donation, calling it the single largest grant in the entire history of the Bronxville PTA since 1953. The sum represents the proceeds from last year's benefit auction with the theme of "Staging Our Future" and chaired by Louise Parzick and Priscilla Newman. Over 500 people attended the benefit. In presenting the contribution, Mager also acknowledged the contributions of Helen Knapp (PTA President), Nina Evison, (former PTA President), hundreds of volunteers, and numerous businesses.
Board President David Brashear thanked the PTA and the parent community for their "great generosity and phenomenal contribution." Superintendent David Quattrone added that the private contributions for the project enabled the District to pursue a superior design that better meets the needs of all 1600 students, faculty, and the community at large.
The auditorium project, estimated at $7 million, is part of a $10 million capital plan that also includes renovation of Middle School science labs. The plan was conceived as a public-private partnership funded by $2.5 million in the district's capital reserves, $3 million from private donations and grants, and $4.5 million from a bond that was approved by voters last October.
