Board Approves Bond Referendum for Science Labs, Auditorium

At a May 24th special meeting, the Bronxville Board of Education approved borrowing $5 million to support a $10 million capital plan encompassing Middle School science lab upgrades, extensive auditorium renovations, and a number of high priority infrastructure items. The overall project represents a private-public partnership, with $3 million coming from the Bronxville School Foundation, the PTA, and other private donors. As stated in the resolution, the remaining $2 million will come from a construction reserve created in 2011.  Voters will have the opportunity to vote on this project at a special election scheduled for October 2nd.

The Board's action fulfills the facilities goal it adopted in 2010, to update and finance a long-range capital plan, including renovating the science classrooms and auditorium. Superintendent David Quattrone reviewed the long history of feasibility  studies, space analysis, and potential designs for the auditorium, including a "B+ Plan" that the Board declined to advance in June of 2011, preferring to commission an independent review and an expanded design team.

The new schematic design, reviewed in detail by the facilities committee throughout the fall, increased the seating capacity from 347 to 508, largely through the addition of a side lobby that gives more flexibility and functionality to the entire area.  Private donations were solicited to make this new design financially possible, and thus far the Bronxville School Foundation has donated $850,000, and the PTA has pledged $400,000 with additional funds expected from the proceeds of this year's benefit.  A third endeavor, the Final Act, spearheaded by three residents, hopes to raise the funds still needed to reach the $3 million target. For residents who want more information, especially those without children in the schools, a session will be held in the auditorium at 7 PM on Wednesday, May 30, 2012.

The District's architect, Russ Davidson of KG&D, described the proposed projects, related budgets, and cost containment strategies. The presentation can be found here. Assistant Superintendent Dan Carlin presented projections about future expenditures, the cost of purchasing bonds, and impact on individual taxpayers. His presentation is here.The Board then engaged in discussion about various options, mostly concerning cost containment strategies.  Although capital expenditures are exempt from the mandated tax cap, there was concern about increasing the overall tax burden. The Board also discussed ways to reduce that burden, including value engineering, developing bidding alternates, and transferring more surplus into the construction reserves.  A combination of these approaches could reduce the need to borrow money.

After hearing a number of public comments about cost, process, the scope of the renovations, and projected expenditures, the Board approved the referendum, 6-1.  The prevailing view supported the idea of a $5 million bond as a way of ensuring project costs would be covered. Board member Chris Atayan opposed the project based on possible future cost implications for the school's academic program and concerns about the District's ability to manage the project.  Outgoing Board member Rick Rugani suggested that the Board seriously consider trimming the project costs, deploying more surplus funds to the construction reserve, and thus lowering the amount to be bonded.

The private campaign for donations continues, the Board will review the allocation of surplus funds at its June meeting, and the special election is scheduled for October 2.

Board Approves Foundation Grants

The Bronxville Board of Education accepted $250,000 in Foundation grants at its May 15th meeting.  Teachers, students, and parents submitted grant applications earlier this spring, and Foundation Board members reviewed the grants after dialogue with each applicant and administrative input. The approved grants encompass a range of requests designed to improve the academic program, professional development, and the learning environment. This year's grants included a rock climbing wall, a mobile TV production unit for the video club and class, a new scoreboard for the gym, and the District's first foray into e-readers. Students and teachers will be able to use the e-books for research, class projects, and independent reading. The Foundation also will provide funds for document cameras at grade 3 and a teaching garden for Elementary science.

Several grants focused on the learning environment, including installing a basketball hoop on the playground, beautification of the Middle School's first floor, and additional displays for the Character Counts program.  Professional learning activities also received support, including a collaboration with Harvard's Project Zero around the assessment of critical thinking, instructional coaching programs, and department-wide participation at certain conferences.

Dr. Charles Cain, the Board of Education's liaison to the Foundation, complimented both the faculty for the range and quality of proposals and the Foundation for its work to shape the proposals and add significant value to the School's educational programs.

Board Holds Special Meeting to Consider Bond Proposal for Capital Projects

The Bronxville Board of Education has called for a special meeting on Thursday, May 24 to review its Capital Plan and consider a bond proposal to go before voters this coming fall.  The meeting, open to the public, will be held at 7 PM in the School's multi-purpose room.  The Board will hear presentations by Superintendent David Quattrone, architect Russ Davidson of KG&D, and Dan Carlin, Assistant Superintendent for Business.  The presentation will address issues of project history, educational need, cost, schedule, and tax implications.

Private contributions have played a key role in moving this plan forward.  In April the Bronxville School Foundation made a grant of $850,000 for the auditorium renovation.  In early May, the PTA added $400,000 and is also expected to contribute about $450,000 that was raised at its benefit, "Staging Our Future." A third effort, "The Final Act," is currently underway, with the target of raising a total of $3 million in private contributions.  The Board of Education expressed an interest in creating a public/private partnership for the capital plan as a fiscally prudent way to respond to economic realities, and the Foundation, the PTA, and individual residents have responded accordingly.  The concept of this partnership is to augment basic renovation work funded by the district with features that add significant value to current and future students.  The total cost of the plan is estimated at $10 million (including the private contributions).

The District has created a webpage dedicated to information about this project. Schematic designs, budgets, presentations, and debt service trends can be found there.  Further information will be added as it becomes available.

School Budget Passes; Atayan and Rohr Elected as Trustees

In this first year of a mandated tax levy cap, Bronxville voters approved a school budget of $44,240,325 by almost a 4 to 1 margin (78%-22%).  The final vote was 299-83. The spending plan represented a 1.46% budget-to-budget increase and a .98% levy increase -- below the limit required by the cap.  In April the Board allocated $950,000 of reserves as a way of lessening the tax burden on Village residents. 


The election also included competition for the Board of Education. Chris Atayan, an incumbent running for his second term, ran opposed and garnered 314 votes.  Three candidates vied for a second, open position, and Jeffrey Rohr took the seat with 245 votes, defeating William Rizzo (206 votes) and Kurt Fuchs (38 votes).  The successful candidates take office in July, when the Board holds its reorganization meeting