Board Accepts Foundation Grant for Auditorium Project

The Bronxville Board of Education accepted a $125,000 grant to restore the proscenium of the school auditorium. This project would restore the front of the stage and improve the flexibility of the performance space.


The Bronxville School Foundation has explored ways to improve the School's auditorium for over ten years. Most recently, the Just Sing fund-raiser, held last spring, subsidized improvements in the sound system. That event triggered interest in moving forward with renovations that have been on the books for the past five years.

District architects (KG&D) have worked with the facilities committee to develop cost effective renovation plans, with the key objectives being to restore some of the original features, improve sight lines and leg room, and update the aesthetics of the facility. The overall proposal has been developed in collaboration with the performing arts faculty and reviewed by the facilities committee. The basic approach calls for a steeper grade in the house so that all seats have good lines and more leg room, with a total of 500 seats. (The results would be similar to contemporary movie houses.) Further review and modifications will take place in the months ahead; there is no definitive timeline for the total project.

As a next step, a group comprised of representatives from the Board, staff, Foundation, and PTA will meet to develop a long-term time line and funding plan for this project.

Board Adopts Five-Year Capital Plan

Assistant Superintendent Dan Carlin presented the Bronxville Board of Education with a five-year capital plan as reviewed by the facilities committee. The plan was prepared by district architects, KG&D, reflecting the findings of the building conditions survey shared at the December Board meeting. The Board accepted the architect's report, designating the overall building condition as satisfactory. The capital plan, also endorsed by the Board, encompasses ongoing maintenance and infrastructure needs as well as projects contemplated for some indefinite time in the future, including renovation of Middle School science labs and major improvements to the auditorium. The Board discussed the need for private capital drive to underwrite these projects (in addition to Foundation support). The finance committee is also considering establishing a construction reserve. The plan can be found here, and schematic designs for future projects are here. The Board does not expect to consider these plans earlier than 2012.

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.

Chambers Field Project Moves Forward

At its June meeting the Bronxville Board of Education approved preliminary plans for improvements to Chambers Field. Funded by the Bronxville School Foundation and the remaining balance from the turf project of 2006, the plans call for expansion and renovation of a storage shed, the construction of a new concession stand with restrooms, bleachers, and a press box. The estimated cost for the project is $256,310, almost entirely borne by private sources ($40,000 for the storage shed is in the school budget.).

Athletic Director Karen Peterson introduced the presentation with a brief history of the project and efforts to scale down the plans to match available resources. Bill Aniscovitch of WBA Associates described the scope of the project and reviewed the drawings. Board members asked a series of questions about design, vulnerability to flooding, and cost.

After Board endorsement, the project proceeds to the design development stage, and plans will be submitted to the State Education Department for review. The time line for that review is uncertain, but construction would begin no earlier than November, 2010.

District Outsources Cleaning Services

After a long process of reviewing options, the Bronxville Board of Education has awarded a bid for cleaning services to A and A Maintenance Enterprise, Inc., for a sum of $455,412. The outsourcing option represents significant annual savings of approximately $300,000, thus helping the Board to avoid additional program reductions that directly affect students.

Prior to making this decision the Board sought confirmation that the company had successful school experience elsewhere and that security procedures would be in place. Assistant Superintendent Dan Carlin reported that all reference checks and site visits resulted in positive recommendations. District administrators also assured the Board that current employees could interview for positions with the new company. If A and A's overall performance proves satisfactory, Bronxville can renew the contract within state-determined consumer price index limits.

During public commentary, two teachers expressed regret over the decision, which affects about seventeen current employees. (Supervisors, maintenance mechanics, and the outside crew remain unaffected by this agreement.) Negotiations with this bargaining unit are continuing.

Frequently Asked Questions about Outsourcing

Board Affirms District Goals

Taking a multi-year perspective, the Bronxville Board of Education approved three District goals at last night's meeting:

• Conduct a comprehensive budget review that minimizes taxpayer expense. Budget options resulting in flat and lower taxes will be considered. This year’s budget process will include comparisons of Bronxville’s per pupil costs and an analysis of staffing levels and key programs and services at each school and the district.
• Continue the three-year program development plans for global education and 21st Century skills, integrating technology, and knowing and engaging students.
• Update the Long Range Facilities Plan.

In adopting these goals, the Board explicitly placed the highest priority on managing finances and containing costs in the school budget, but all three goals continue work that began last year - the three professional development strands, a more comprehensive budget review, and completing the post-flood restoration and recovery projects.

Activities related to the financial goals include concluding a Board/BTA study of health costs and benefits; completing negotiations with custodians, teachers, clerical staff, teacher’s aides and teaching assistants; pursuing resolution of outstanding construction litigation; and revising financial reporting formats. Activities related to the curriculum and instruction goals include updating the K-12 technology curriculum; designing and implementing student projects that reflect global awareness, critical thinking and problem solving, and technology as an essential tool for learning;expanding teacher access to student data as part of an evidence-based approach to improving learning results; forming a Board study group to identify “best practices” for board processes related to curriculum and instruction; and completing Tri-States evaluation of science curriculum.

Financial Update

Assistant Superintendent Dan Carlin presented facts and figures related to flood-related construction and projected reductions in state aid. The presentation confirms that there will be a surplus of about $300,000 on this phase of the construction project. After insurance and FEMA reimbursements, the local share of restoration and recovery work is about 12%. The presentation can be viewed below.


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PTA Supports Facility Improvements through $530,000 Gift

Ashley Hanrahan, President of the Bronxville PTA, presented the Board of Education with a gift of $530,000 on Thursday, October 16th. The gift, approved by the PTA Board last week, supports an extensive facilities remodeling project encompassing nine bathrooms throughout the facility. The plans have been in discussion for over a year, with KG&D Architects completing the initial design work this past August.

Mrs. Hanrahan described the PTA's decision to focus on facilities, saying the organization was excited to use the proceeds from two years of fund-raising by Memorial Day and auction activities. Now that the Board of Education has accepted the gift, plans will be submitted to the State Education Department, with construction expected to begin next summer.

Superintendent David Quattrone acknowledged the gift, saying, "This gift is not only generous; it speaks directly to the needs of students and staff. The PTA surveyed the staff to identify the needs that would make the most impact on quality of life within the school, and this project is the result. To their credit, the PTA has also been patient, understanding that this project could not be put in place until the flood restoration work was complete."

The PTA has planned a district-wide fund-raising event for March 28, 2009, supplementing the traditional Memorial Day activities.

District Receives $1.3 Million from FEMA

Assistant Superintendent Dan Carlin announced that the District received a $1.3 million in payment from FEMA, representing the next installment in our flood recovery project. This is the first reimbursement for the restoration of the A and B wings of the building.

Carlin also reported that we are approaching substantial completion with respect to all aspects of the project, including the second floor renovations. The lockers and blinds have been completely installed; the furniture has arrived. The area is starting to look more finished. We still have some more cabinets to be hung in classrooms, and we expect to complete the SmartBoard installation this week. Mr. Carlin also stated that we are seeking improvements for the floor surfaces in select classrooms and a portion of the hall, and the architects are preparing proposals for various options.

Superintendent David Quattrone reported that we expect to obtain a certificate of occupancy for the district offices and the orchestra room on the second floor. The orchestra room will become available on or about October 22, but window replacement will not occur until the December break. We have scheduled the district office move from the trailer to the main building on November 7-11, pending furniture arrival.

We have also begun determining the logistics and schedule for the next phase of restoration and recovery - the relocation of the boiler room and switch gear.

In related news, Mr. Quattrone reported that the Facilities Committee reconvened in order to update the District's five year plan. The committee, which includes PTA, Foundation, and community representation, learned that the restoration project accomplished a number of items related to air handling and infrastructure. The committee will meet again in November to set priorities among the remaining items, which include Middle School science labs, the auditorium, outdoor facilities, and classroom renovations.

Facilities Update