Flood Mitigation Plan Moves Forward

A joint project between the village and the Bronxvlle Board of Education is moving ahead, with an eye toward construction beginning in the late fall of 2014. Following the nor'easter of April 2007, which caused $20 million of damage to the school, Village and school officials discussed what practical local options were available to limit the damage in future flooding events.  The Village commissioned Folchetti and Associates to build on previous reports and submit a proposal to state and federal agencies.  Eventually, FEMA and SEMO approved a $6,889,905 flood mitigation project, of which the federal share would be 75%, and the Village and school district would split the local share of $1,722,475. The school portion of the project would require a referendum.

Engineer Paul Pelusio of Folchetti & Associates presented the plan at the March 20th Board of Education meeting.

Essentially the project would install a large network of pipes under Hayes Field in order to detain flood water and prevent it from backing up into the school. A stormwater pumping station located on the Midland Avenue side of the School would pump water into the Bronx River both during and after flooding events. A dedicated pipe will cross Midland, go behind Village Hall, and ultimately deliver the storm water to the Bronx River.

Five months have been allocated for the permitting process, including environmental impact reviews.  The project has already been vetted at the federal level by FEMA. If approved, this construction project is scheduled for bidding this fall, with construction to begin in December 2014 and completion by September 2015.  It is anticipated that Hayes Field would be unavailable for use during the spring season, 2015.

Board President David Brashear pointed out that the plan accommodated several operational concerns advanced by the District. The footprint of excavation is substantially smaller, and the depth has been reduced from ten feet to seven feet.  This will be more economical and less disruptive than the previous plan.  District advisers KG&D Architecture and John Meyer Consulting have been instrumental in refining the plan to address school concerns.

The full presentation can be found here, and for a related article on field reconfiguration, go here.

Artificial Turf for Hayes Field Proposed

The Bronxville Board of Education is considering installing synthetic turf on Hayes Field in conjunction with the proposed flood mitigation project.  Because the field will be totally dug up during construction, the Board asked its architects, KG&D, to re-design the layout as a way of maximizing game and practice space on school property.

The proposed design accommodates the pump house included as part of the flood mitigation program. In addition, the plan preserves the existing playground, maintains school parking by creating an additional lot on Meadow Road, and improves field conditions by installing synthetic turf. The size of the playing field would encompass football, field hockey, and lacrosse.

The architects estimate the total cost of this project to be in the range of $1.2 - $1.5 million, excluding the underground drainage system that would be funded by the flood mitigation project.The mitigation project substantially offsets the total cost of this proposed field improvement.

Board members discussed the added value of this plan. While it does not add a new field, it does increase scheduling flexibility and provide a more durable playing surface.  David Brashear advocated increasing the total number of parking spaces, and Superintendent David Quattrone supported this idea by pointing out that Elementary students could use the practice field for kickball and other recreational activities instead of requiring a paved area. He asked KG&D to show that option.

Given the overlapping schedule of several construction projects, Board member Pierre de Ste Phalle asked for an integrated schedule showing the relationship among these various efforts.

Budget stands at 1.78% Tax Levy Increase

Assistant Superintendent Dan Carlin, following suggestions from the March  budget workshop, presented a revised spending plan to the Bronxville Board of Education. The total school budget request for 2014-15 is $46,219,299, representing a tax levy increase of 1.78%. This figure is slightly below the mandated tax cap of 1.88%. The revisions make reductions in a number of accounts that have carried surpluses in prior years.  In addition, a kindergarten teacher has been added: confirmed kindergarten registrations have already reached 101, exceeding the projected number of 95 students.

Board member Jeff Rohr pointed out that the tax burden is offset by allocating $1,050,000 of reserves. This is a strategy dependent on having sufficient reserves and surpluses. Otherwise additional cuts would be needed in order to balance revenues and expenditures.

The Board expressed consensus that this was an acceptable budget. They will vote to endorse a budget on April 22 and hold a budget hearing on May 8. The state-wide School Budget vote is on May 20.

Board Pushes Budget Below Cap

At the March workshop Assistant Superintendent Dan Carlin showed adjustments to the school budget bringing the total within $30,167 of the mandated tax levy cap of 1.9%. With final figures for health insurance contributions now in hand, the expense budget stands at $46,298,871. In preparation for the workshop the Board's finance committee carried out a detailed budget examination and an analysis of reserves. The major focus was to keep the budget lean and draw down year-end surpluses.

The Board analyzed the figures, noting how little of the overall budget is discretionary.  Salaries, benefits, and contracted services alone account for the full increase in expenditures. Mandated employer contributions to pensions remain a key driver. Other Board comments touched on the tuition program - the District has curtailed its tuition program for regular education students at a time when enrollment is increasing.

After review and discussion the Board expressed a consensus around adopting a budget somewhat below the tax cap without further program reductions. A revised budget will be presented at the March meeting.

The proposed budget addresses enrollment needs in several ways:

• An additional section has been added at grade two, bringing the estimated class size down to 21.0.
• Program improvements at grade 5 -- more science, technology, and skills support - make it possible to for teachers to meet with their classes in half-groups three times a cycle.
• An additional psychologist will address pre-school needs and a rising number of referrals.
• Productivity shifts will increase the number of English and math sections at the Middle School
• The rotation of  High School electives will reduce the number of under-enrolled courses in English and social studies.

Class size trends in all grades will continue to be monitored in the months ahead. The District is paying close attention to  Kindergarten, where the trajectory of registration is outpacing past patterns.

PTA Gift Supports Library Redesign

At its March 1 meeting the Bronxville Board of Education accepted a PTA gift of $8,315 to launch a study to redesign the secondary school library.  The basic concept is to convert the library from a place where books are archived to a space that supports innovative technology-based work by students. KG&D, the District's architect of record, will carry out the study. PTA President Margaret Mager expressed the PTA's interest in supporting renovations that grow out of this study.

The project started with discussions between Eileen Mann, 6-12 librarian, and High School Principal Ann Meyer.  Mann has spearheaded several technology initiatives, including an e-reader program and the use of tablets. Students now have wireless access to laptops in the library, but Mann and Meyer identified a further need to reshape the space to support growing student interest in using technology as a research tool.

Superintendent David Quattrone described the District's approach to widening the use of instructional technology as an essential tool for learning: "We have included a technology partnership with BOCES in the 2014-15 budget, but we are getting a head start this semester. We are working with a consultant who has been talking with teachers about their technology frustrations and needs, and we are excited by the prospects of some important improvements in our infrastructure.  The idea of turning the library into a 'learning commons' is a promising development, and we are grateful to the PTA for its support."

Board Approves School Calendar for 2014-15

On March 1 the Bronxville Board of Education approved the school calendar for 2014-15 as proposed.  Key features of the calendar include the following dates:

• Wednesday, September 3 is the first day of school for students.
• There is a long weekend around Veterans Day: No school on November 10 and 11.
• A two-week vacation begins on December 22 and ends on January 2.
• February vacation spans the week beginning February 16.
• Spring vacation goes from March 30 through April 6. School reopens Tuesday, April 7.
• The last of school is June 26.

The calendar can be found here.

Quattrone Describes Progress on Leadership Changes

David Quattrone

Superintendent David Quattrone provided the Board of Education and public with an update of the leadership changes that are in process as a result of a succession plan developed in 2011.

Elementary Principal

One-hundred-seventy nine people applied for this position. The district's external consultant, the PPS Director, Assistant Superintendent, and Superintendent reviewed the applications and narrowed the group to thirty-five candidates. The District administrators selected nine to interview and narrowed the group to five.  The candidates include an elementary principal, a charter school head, and three assistant elementary principals. A screening committee consisting of two Board members, two Elementary Council officers, three teachers, the school secretary, and the PPS director will interview the five candidates.  The final part of the process involves further interviews, reference checks, and a site visit for the final candidate. An appointment is expected this spring.

Director of Curriculum and Instruction

We developed job specifications for this new position, and advertisements attracted 189 applicants. As with the elementary position, there will be a screening and committee interview process that produces a small number of final candidates.  An appointment is also expected this spring.

Central Office Realignment

Following the retirement of John Kehoe (and his return in a part-time transitional position, Director of Operations), the District is reconfiguring and reassigning certain duties and responsibilities.  We expect to finalize the new assignments in conjunction with the Board's review and revision of administrative policies.

Quattrone commented, "With these changes comes uncertainty but also opportunity. I am looking forward to building on our current strengths and moving forward with new perspective and new energy. We are mindful of the need to clarify the various new role relationships with care, provide proper support, and monitor progress. We are eager to model the same kind of collaborative and innovative work that we value in our students and faculty."