Voters Endorse School Budget for 2013-14

In the May 21 state-wide school budget vote Bronxville residents endorsed a budget of $45.3 million for the 2013-14 school year.  The turnout was light, with a total of 208 votes cast.  The margin of victory was 160 votes for the proposed budget and 30 opposed. The approved spending plan represents a budget-to-budget increase of 2.53% and a tax levy increase of 2.44%.

Voters also reelected incumbent School Board members David Brashear and Denise Tormey and approved a first term for Ruth Wood.

Foundation Awards $235,040 in Grants

At its May meeting the Bronxville Board of Education accepted with appreciation and gratitude a gift of $235,040 from the Bronxville School Foundation, representing the award of 21 grants to all three schools. 

The grants included support for innovative projects, new technology, and ongoing professional learning.  The largest single grant of $79,000 launches a partnership between the Elementary School and Long island University.  The grant establishes an internship program that will benefit teachers, students, and aspiring educators.  Another grant of $40,000 allows the District to continue and expand its work with critical and creative thinking. That award supports ongoing consultant assistance. Other grants involve the purchase of document cameras at grade 2 and the installation of filtered water bottle-filling stations throughout the school, responding to a request of students. Additional grants support teacher training for Singapore mathematics, iPad applications for coaches, and various professional development programs.

For the complete list of grants, go here.

Superintendent Recommends Renewal of Interim ES Appointments

David Quattrone, Superintendent of Schools, announced today that he is asking the Board of Education to renew the appointments of Heidi Menzel and Adrienne Laitman as Interim Elementary Principal and Interim Assistant Principal, respectively.

Commenting on the search process that began in February, he said, “We worked hard to develop a pool of qualified applicants, and we listened carefully to the screening committee of teachers and parents,” he said. “At the end of the day, in my judgment, the conditions for success are not present for a permanent appointment at this time. It makes sense to me to reopen the search next year rather than make a decision now.”

The search process began in February with focus groups, a survey, a review of 130 applications, interviews, and follow up reference checks and research. “I am grateful for the work that Heidi and Adrienne have demonstrated over this past year, and I am confident that the Elementary School will continue to move forward,” he said. “The faculty has built solid structures and procedures, and they have demonstrated outstanding professionalism. Looking ahead, we will work together with the entire school community to address some of the needs that arose during the search process.”

UPDATE: At its May 9th meeting, the Bronxville Board of Education extended the interim appointments of Heidi Menzel and Adrienne Laitman for the 2013-14 school year.

Tri-State Team Completes Critical Thinking Review

A visiting team representing the Tri-State Consortium of high-performing school districts completed its three-day review of Bronxville's critical and creative thinking initiative. The essential question framing the visit was To what extent has the district realized its critical thinking goal through curriculum, instruction,assessment, and professional learning? The review process included an analysis of curriculum documents and samples of student work; classroom visits; interviews with students, teachers, and Foundation representatives; and direct observation of grade-level and department teams in action.

Visiting Team Provides Feedback to K-12 Faculty

On Friday morning, at the conclusion of the visit, the visiting team held a feedback session with the entire K-12 staff present. The feedback session began with a series of clarifying and probing questions directed at school staff, followed by conversation among the team members regarding the strengths of the initiative and challenges to be addressed in the future. Several key themes emerged from the conversation:

• The professional climate supports teachers trying new things.
• There is widespread faculty support for the critical thinking goal, not just isolated pockets of interest.
• Greater clarity about student outcomes and collection of data would move the initiative forward.
• The visiting team saw multiple examples of student critical thinking at all levels of the school system, and students report enthusiasm about opportunities to pursue interests in greater depth.
• Future challenges include how best to strengthen the connection and coordination across schools; simplifying the rubrics and protocols; and providing support for curriculum leaders.

A video excerpt of the feedback session can be found here. A written report will follow the visit, and findings will help guide professional development planning for the coming year.  The visiting team of seventeen was chaired by Mary Beth Wilson, Assistant Superintendent from New Canaan (CT), and Rob Chlebicki, Assistant Superintendent from North Shore (NY). Other members included Superintendents from Ardsley, Chappaqua, Dobbs Ferry, and Mt. Pleasant; Assistant Superintendents from Bedford and Easton-Redding; Principals from Mt. Pleasant and Ridgefield (CT): and faculty members from North Salem, New Canaan, Harrison, Scarsdale, and Ardsley. Marty Brooks and Kathleen Reilly were the liaisons from the Tri-State Consortium.