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."