Wednesday, July 10, 2013

Facilities Update

In addition to the normal summer maintenance activities, the Bronxville School is heading into a series of projects aimed at upgrading the learning environment for students and the community:
  1. The long-anticipated construction of a concession stand, bleacher replacement, and press box is underway.  Private funding from the original turf replacement project and  a Foundation grant served as the catalyst for moving forward. Contracts were awarded in June, and the work has begun with an anticipated completion date in the early fall.
  2. As a way to alleviate pressure on the auditorium and science renovation projects the Board of Education approved an asbestos abatement project that is taking place this summer. This accelerated approach, recommended by our architects and construction manager, will increase the likelihood of renovating the science labs with minimal disruption to school operations next summer.
  3. The Board has authorized a feasibility study regarding lights for Chambers Field.  This study, which will assess proposed lighting in terms of stringent state requirements that govern environmental impact and light trespass, will be presented to the Board this coming fall.  There will be multiple opportunities for community input, and the Board advised the public at its July meeting that no decision has been made regarding any proposal. Further, clear and careful guidelines for usage would have to be part of any plan.
  4. The Village has signed off on an approved FEMA project for flood mitigation. The project, which involves installing a below grade detention tank on school property and a pumping station in the Elementary parking lot, is designed to protect the Schools and Village from future flooding events. A next step involves additional surveying to determine the impact and scope of work involved for the School.

Board Reorganizes for 2013-14 School Year

At its annual Reorganization Meeting the Bronxville Board of Education re-elected David Brashear as President and named Denise Tormey as Vice President. Both terms are for one school year. The Board also approved various committee assignments, including the audit committee and the facilities advisory committee.

In other action the Board appointed three new teachers: Tanil Russo (MS mathematics), Kathryn Westerheim (Elementary), and Marina Fattore (Elementary music). They will join Heather Norman (Elementary librarian) who was appointed in June.

The Board authorized its architects, KG&D, to conduct a feasibility study for lighting Chambers Field.  When complete, the study will be presented to the Board with multiple opportunities for public commentary.  The Board emphasized that no decision to move forward with such a project has been made, and that any such proposal would require clear and careful guidelines for use.

In addition the Board re-authorized the District's Annual Professional Performance Review plan regarding teacher and principal evaluation. The plan continues the same processes agreed upon last year regarding the number of evaluations and the rating scales to be used.