Board of Education Briefing

Board of Education Briefing - July 2nd, 2024

Hail to the chiefs, hello to new educators, and the biggest textbook you’ve ever seen

While you may be stressing out about the November 5th election, the elections which took place at Tuesday’s Board of Education meeting were joyful events. Without a single awkward debate, CNN spin-doctor analysis, or cadre of wild-eyed Scarsdalians storming the high school administrative offices, two devoted BOE members were unanimously voted into the organization’s top positions.

Helming the board as president this year will be Suzie Hahn (term: 2022-2025), whose extensive resumé of volunteer efforts includes having served as treasurer of the Scarsdale Council of Parent-Teacher Associations, president of the Quaker Ridge School PTA, vice president of Friends of Music & Arts, and school portfolio chair of the League of Women Voters of Scarsdale. Superintendent Drew Patrick enthusiastically praised Suzie’s appointment, complimenting her leadership skills and readiness to execute the district’s strategic plan and facilitate student-focused initiatives.

New Board of Education President Suzie Hahn is sworn into office by Superintendent Dr. Drew Patrick

New vice president James C. Dugan (term: 2024-2027) likewise has an impressive record of community service. Besides working as an attorney, he has served on the Citizens’ Nominating Committee and the Overhill Association Board, among other local initiatives. Dugan is also the co-founder of the Coalition for Scarsdale Schools, comprised of highly committed parents of Scarsdale students.   

In addition to these elections, the BOE swore in two members whose terms will span from 2024 to 2027: Jim Dugan (who begins his second term) and Leah Dembitzer. The latter’s background is a study in impressive accomplishments, among them holding top positions the Quaker Ridge School and Scarsdale Middle School PTAs, the League of Women Voters of Scarsdale, and the Scarsdale Parent-Teacher Council.

Board of Education Vice President James C. Dugan and President Suzie Hahn

The meeting also featured votes pertaining to the policies and operation of Scarsdale schools. (Forget the mystery casseroles your high school cafeteria served—with food-vendor contracts in place, our students will be noshing on sushi and hand rolls in the fall.) The Scarsdale Code of Conduct, a behavioral guide for both adults and children within the district, was deemed to adequately address permitted and non-permitted use of A.I.

A first-class crew: some of Scardale’s new teachers

News about new staff

Fifteen distinguished educators will be joining or assuming new posts at our schools this year.

·      Amy Cermele, formerly a special education CSE chairperson in the district, has been appointed as assistant director of special education. Dr. Cermele will be assigned to the district office.

 ·      Brian Bernarducci, who currently teaches at Greenvale Elementary School in Eastchester, will join Scarsdale’s elementary education system.

 ·      Lauren Bookin will serve in the area of General Special Education at Quaker Ridge Elementary School. Our gain is the loss of Springhurst Elementary School in Dobbs Ferry.

 ·      Kayla Glaser, a teacher at Hommocks Middle School in Mamaroneck, will become part of Scarsdale Middle School’s math department.

 ·      Our schools’ musical program welcomes Cynthia Gorney. She presently teaches at E.M. Baker Elementary School in Great Neck.

 ·      Currently a teacher at Edgemont’s Seely Place School, Olga Jubinville has been appointed in the area of Elementary Education.

 ·      Michael Mammola, who has completed a leave replacement position at John Jay Middle School in Cross River, will join Scarsdale Schools’ ranks in the area of Health.

 ·      Beau Morimando will be a member of the General Special Education team in SHS, bringing with him the know-how gained through a current teaching position at Rye High School.

·      Coming to Scarsdale from M.S. 297-The 75 Morton School in New York is General Special Education teacher Kara Oliveri. She’ll soon be a familiar face at Scarsdale Middle School.

 ·      Jenna Riefenhauser has likewise been recommended for appointment within General Special Education. She will be assigned to Greenacres Elementary School, filling the position which opened following the resignation of Sahar Miandoabi. Reifenhauser has been teaching at Overlook Primary & Vail Farm Elementary School, Arlington Central School District, in Lagrangeville.

 ·      John Speedling is headed here from P.S. 333 Manhattan School for Children. He will work in Elementary Education.

 ·      Jamie Thomas, as of now an employee of Crompound Elementary School in Yorktown, will begin a new chapter within our district as a library media specialist.

 ·      Scarsdale Middle School says “bonjour” to Jennifer Campo, who will serve as a leave replacement French teacher, replacing Elizaveta Dukalsaya.

 ·      Assigned to Scarsdale Middle School, Nicole DeAngelis will be the leave replacement math teacher for Cynthia Parrott.

 ·      Matthew Peters will join Scarsdale Middle school as well, in the role of leave replacement for social studies teacher Marci Rothman.

Other highlights

Like a summer suspense movie, the meeting ultimately offered both sweetness and a jump scare. The board offered heartfelt congratulations to SHS’s recent graduates, displaying a picture of them throwing their caps in the air. Students moving up from elementary to middle school, and from middle school to high school, were recognized as well. In another happy development, it was announced that sports-boosting organization Maroon & White gifted more than $85,000 for the installation of video scoreboards at gyms 3 and 4 at SAS.

A bit of shock, however, was provided by a literally big reveal: a new school textbook for SHS. Titled University Physics, it’s a little more than 1,600 pages long and looked to be the dimensions and weight of a wholesale-club jug of fabric softener. Onlookers were assured that students won’t have to hoist the volume back and forth to school, which, if one really considers it, could simultaneously count towards gym credits. It’s worth thinking about as parents, teachers, and children enjoy the summer break.