Board Considers New Goals

Over the past few months Board President Jim Hudson has led an effort to establish new District goals, giving Board members an opportunity to discuss issues in greater depth and with a long range view of the future. Part of this process was a special workshop on October 28th, focusing on curriculum and instruction and the quality of the learning environment. The discussion centered on two strategic questions:

• How can we ensure that Bronxville provides the best possible curriculum and instruction, leading to the success of every student?
• How can the Bronxville School best help the community in its effort to promote healthy, safe, responsible behavior among its young people?

As in the past, the Board will set goals related to teaching and learning (such as the current global initiative); but increasing the emphasis on teenage behavior and related social issues represents a new priority for the Board, and the challenge has been to define the role of the School in an appropriate way that reflects the legal and practical limits of what the School can do to prevent or respond to incidents of alcohol or drug abuse that occur outside of school.

At its November meeting the Bronxville Board of Education turned to additional questions related to facilities and finances:

• How can school facilities best support the current and future learning needs of our students?

• What comprises a fiscally responsible, sustainable model of educational excellence for the Bronxville School?

Other articles in this newsletter describe the presentations heard by the Board. Superintendent David Quattrone suggested several possible goals for the Board to consider in December, and Dr. Hudson commented that it might take several years to attain them.

Architects See Much Improvement, Identify Future Needs

The District's architects, KG&D, presented the Board and the public with the results of its five-year building conditions survey. This process, required by law, provides the cornerstone of a comprehensive facilities master plan, which the Board will consider in January.

Russ Davidson and Calvin Black, both of KG&D, reported "terrific progress" since the 2005 survey, citing the rotunda renovation, conversion to digital controls, and flood recovery work. Areas of improvement include ceilings and doors; roofs and parapets; windows; and heaters, controls, and boilers. The inspection team found no significant problems in the C wing of the building, now six years old. "It's a significantly different building today," Black commented.

The next phase of work, he said, should focus on replacing floor tile and ventilation controls. With infrastructure problems largely under control, the next step is to focus on program-related issues, in particular auditorium improvements and the renovation of Middle School science labs.

The facilities committee will review options for the auditorium in the coming months and report back to the Board. In order to develop a funding plan for facilities needs, the Board is considering establishing a construction reserve. In addition, there are some partnerships with the PTA and the Bronxville School Foundation that have played major roles in facilities improvements, including bathroom renovations and field improvements. The Foundation has expressed interest in supporting the early stages of a possible auditorium renovation.

Carlin Kicks Off 2011 Budget Process

As the Bronxville Board of Education considers what financial targets to set, Assistant Superintendent Dan Carlin launched the budget process by reviewing past patterns and identifying future needs.

He began by describing the history of how school budget increases have outpaced inflation. He then pointed out how the district has stabilized the budget and tax rates over the last two years. On the horizon, however, Bronxville faces several difficult challenges. Collective bargaining is still underway with four employee groups; new contracts may produce additional expenditures. Similarly, employer contributions to state retirement funds and rising health benefit costs will also lead to higher costs. Expected reductions in state aid and the end of federal stimulus grants will further complicate the picture. Carlin ended by laying out several budget scenarios, swinging between increases of 2.5% and 8%. These scenarios do not reflect the budget deliberations, reductions, and adjustments that will surely come in the months ahead. The budget process will involve a careful review of how best to minimize taxpayer expense.

No actual budget has yet been proposed. As in the past, a rollover budget will be discussed at a February workshop, open to the public. the full presentation can be found here.