Friday, October 18, 2013

Board Adopts Goals for 2013-14

Superintendent of Schools David Quattrone proposed several goals for Board of Education consideration, responding to several suggestions and concerns that Board members raised in September. The Board approved the revisions after discussion. The goals include two surveys as a way of gathering baseline perceptions of students, staff, and parents. The High School will conduct a survey of recent graduates as a way of assessing perceived strengths and weaknesses of current programs. In addition, the District will again administer the satisfaction survey offered by Harris Interactive.  This survey, previously administered in 2006 ad 2009, taps stakeholder opinions about school atmosphere, facilities/equipment, curriculum, teaching, technology, and behavior.  Quattrone endorsed the surveys as a way to develop an overall profile of the Bronxville graduate and provide a fact-based approach to future decisions.

The adopted goals also embrace the Common Core Learning Standards that have been adopted by many states and have been incorporated into New York's assessment program. The new standards, accompanied by new tests and new cut-off scores, have led to lower estimates of student proficiency across the state. By adopting the goal, the Board endorses a systematic effort to adjust curriculum content, change instructional strategies, and raise the level of student performance.

Finally, the financial goals incorporated the need to address rising enrollments, not just next year but in the longer term.  In addition, the impact of the Affordable Care Act needs to be factored into budget deliberations.

The goals can be found here.

Board Explores Field Options

At its October meeting, the Bronxville Board of Education continued its review of possible ways to expand field use for interscholastic athletics.  In September a special session focused on the feasibility of installing lights on Chambers Field -- an option that generated strong feelings both for and against the proposition.  Board President David Brashear framed the issue in his opening remarks:
I believe our special workshop related to the possibility of lighting Chambers Field was highly productive. The community input at that meeting was both respectful and informative . . . We are continuing to exhaustively all opportunities for expanding the number of field hours available to our athletic teams . . . we are working to identify every possible playing site, and the tradeoffs associated with each . . . We are in a process, and the deliberate approach we are taking will require some time. We are not yet at any decision points.
 At the October meeting the focus was on other options:
  1. Reconfiguring field space on Hayes field in order to gain flexibility and a higher quality playing surface
  2. Maximizing use of Upper Scout Field, pending planned improvements
  3. Increasing use of Haindl Field in Eastchester, which already has lights
  4. Exploring other off-site possibilities with neighboring municipalities and institutions.
Athletic Director Karen Peterson described the estimated costs and potential advantages of each option, and her presentation is here. The Board raised questions about the proposed flood mitigation project as it is integrally tied to redesigning current field space.At the close of the meeting there were several comments, reflecting varying points of view on the lighting option and raising questions about possible funding sources.

Thursday, October 17, 2013

Board Accepts External Audit Report

Susan Barossi of O'Connor Davies presented the Bronxville Board of Education with the external audit for the fiscal year 2012-13.  The presentation can be found here. The audit team gave the District an unmodified opinion, the best rating a public school can achieve. Board member Jeffrey Rohr explained that the report had been previously reviewed by the audit committee.

Barossi emphasized the value of maintaining reserves as a hedge against unforeseen circumstances, praising the Board for its capacity to preserve fund balance and maintain a positive bond rating. She praised the Board for "ending in a very healthy position in a very difficult economy." This past year the District has used these funds to reduce the tax levy by $950,000. Fund balance at the end of the year totaled 9,444,594.In addition, the Board has transferred surpluses to a facilities reserve to support future capital improvements.