What happened at this week’s Board of Ed Meeting?
Didn’t want to sit through the meeting? Don’t feel like an outsider, just read the Insider.
District trying to find ways to bridge $2 million gap in next year’s budget
Audience outburst marked tense conversation about athletics
Students, parents speak up over three sports potentially on the chopping block
Plus more
BY DEBORAH SKOLNIK
Monday’s Board of Education was a marathon, lasting for nearly 4 hours. And yet, it was one of the most tense of the current school year, perhaps since it centered on the first study of the 2025-2026 school budget. Parents and students filled the audience, eager to advocate for the line items they don’t want eliminated from the slate of expenditures for the next school year.
Superintendent Dr. Drew Patrick kicked off the meeting, announcing the “who, what, and why” of the budget would be discussed in the course of the evening. “This is very much the starting point, with ongoing discussion,” he reassured the audience, before sharing a calendar of the entire budgeting process.
Dates and topics for major budget discussions.
Budget constraints and efficiency stratgies outlined
Superintendent Patrick explained that the budget not only seeks to maintain the high levels of student education for which Scarsdale schools are known, but also to make sure that staffing is optimally efficient. He mentioned the 2% tax cap in place for this year, saying, “While I firmly believe we cannot ask our public to support a budget that’s over the tax cap this year, our ability to run the school the way it is, let alone add programming, with only a 2% rate of growth is simply not realistic,” hinting that the meeting would also cover what could be cut from school expenditures. He then showed a slide (below) outlining the areas most likely to be trimmed. A request for half a full-time math teacher, floated in last week’s BOE meeting, will be withdrawn as part of a reduction in 6.5 FTE staff. Also rescinded is a request to purchase additional flexible furniture for more school rooms and the library, although Superintendent Patrick said the latter could possibly be funded by the Scarsdale Schools Foundation.
A slide showed that staff size might decrease, some class sizes would increase, and some “above behind” offerings might need to be funded through outside entities.
Current conditions
Assistant Superintendent of Business Andrew Lennon then provided an overview of the current fiscal year. “We started our fiscal year with just over $22 million in total fund balance,” he shared, forecasting that the fund will stand at $20.9 million by year’s end. In addition, he shared a slide outlining all the sources of revenue for Scarsdale schools (it’s not just property taxes), as well as our schools’ categories of expenditures.
A slide showed the fund balance has steadily decreased since 2021.
All sources of revenue for our schools.
Here’s where all of our schools’ funds go.
In all, next school year’s draft budget plan calls for a total tax levy of $177,810,699, an increase of $7,774,785 over the 2024-2025 approved budget, a growth of 4.57%. Ultimately, the administration must still find a way to close a gap of some $2.061 million, which was a focal point of the evening.
The draft budget for 2025-2026 calls for a more than a $7.5 million dollar tax levy increase.
Going to the mat for the athletic budget
Athletic Director Cynthia Parrott then made a presentation about the current athletic budget as well as the projected one for 2025-2026, which includes necessities such as updating equipment as well as a request to staff all home varsity football games with two police officers.
She then introduced the most controversial topic of the evening: a list of Section 1 sports that are not sanctioned by the New York Public High School Athletic Association and which might be good areas in which to make budget cuts. (See slide directly below.) “We love being able to do these, but they carry a cost,” Superintendent Patrick added.
The total savings if all three non-sanctioned sports were eliminated would be about $100,000, not counting transportation fees.
Crew is the most expensive sport offered, as it is contracted out. In the decade since the program began with a ground from a foundation, the cost of the program has increased fivefold at least, Parrott pointed out. Adding staffing and transportation, the total expenses work out to a little under $75K. Parrott then ran down a list of costs and challenges of the other non-sanctioned sports.
Board Member Colleen Brown questioned the need for two police officers at each game, to which Parrott responded that 80% of lawsuits related to athletics pertain to supervision. Board Member Amber Yusuf questioned why these sports get school transportation in many cases, but ice hockey does not. “Fair question,” Parrott replied. Board Member Leah Dembitzer asked for a written list of peer schools that provide these sports, along with membership trends at Scarsdale High. Board Member Ron Schulhof said he would find a broad analysis of cost per student across all athletics helpful. “Before we cut anything for our kids, that’s why I’d like to talk about,” he said.
An outspoken audience member prompted a banging of the gavel and a brief recess.
Audience outburst
As Parrott wound down her presentation, an audience member called out stridently. “I am very sorry, we have public comment and…” began Board President Suzie Hahn, but the agitated audience announcer continued. “This is out of order. We’ll be taking a brief recess,” Hahn replied, authoritatively banging her gavel.
Transportation expenditures for 2025-2026
After the meeting reconvened, Assistant Superintendent Andrew Lennon presented the transportation budget for the next school year. It is projected to increase a little less than two percent, while driver wages will increase 4.5%. Three large electric buses will be acquired, partially funded through EPA grants and other funding, and the administration is requesting two new gasoline-powered minivans. Since Scarsdale’s fleet eventually must be fully electric, Lennon went over options for achieving this mandate. He recommended partnering with a company, Highland Fleet, to help manage the various challenges, including fleet maintenance, that the switchover would entail.
Board Member Dembitzer asked if there has been communication between the Village and the schools about this; Lennon reassured her there has been. Board Member Robert Klein questioned whether it is allowable to enter into an agreement with a company without going through a competitive bidding process, but Lennon replied there has been such a process already.
Operations and maintenance budget increase
Moving to another subject, Lennon shared that the budget for operations and maintenance is increasing by $333,000. Though the figure might seem large, “It is helpful to remember that we have almost one million square feet across the district, and 118 acres that is manicured and taken care of by our maintenance and facility staff across all of our buildings,” Lennon said. He then outlined the large capital projects the district is expected to take on in the upcoming school year (see slide directly below.)
Superintendent Patrick noted that much of the playground equipment across the schools is at or near its useful life. One possibility, he said, would be for a three-way partnership between the district, the Scarsdale Schools Foundation, and the PTAs, with each organization contributing money towards the initiative.
Major capital projects budget for 2025-2026
Good energy?
Board Member Schulhof briefly turned the conversation to the performance of Cenergistics, a company hired to provide dynamic temperature control to the district’s school buildings. He and Lennon discussed the bumpy road that the firm has had delivering on its promises, but shared optimism going forward.
Lennon then presented on the district’s debt service and lease purchases (see slide directly below).
Debt payback and expenses for technology and maintenance leases, including large mowers, plus an energy-performance contract.
Employee expenses
Next, Lennon addressed the issue of employee benefits, which are set to rise by more than $4.3 million dollars in the upcoming school year. The increased expenses for retirement funds, employer 403B contributions, FICA-SS& Medicare Funding and other factors all are part of the increase.
Unsurprisingly, benefits for employees are a major expense for the district.
Superintendent Patrick took the mic next, discussing the state of the district’s self-funded health insurance plan. Claim costs to date are running roughly 25% higher than in 2023-2024, resulting in a negative budget performance of more than $500,000 through December, he said. Analysis shows that the district’s self-insured plan still represents a significant savings over an insured product such as Empire, but there will still be conversation around the best way to ensure employees going forward.
The district’s self-funded insurance plan is experiencing a financial slam.
Board Member Klein floated the idea of financial incentives for older teachers to take retirement, creating the potential to replace them with younger, less expensive teachers. Assistant Superintendent for Human Resources and Leadership Development Meghan Troy responded that an incentive is in place for faculty who announce their retirement prior to January 15th. Board Member Ron Schulhof requested a detailed comparison of Scarsdale’s self-funded healthcare plan vs. Empire’s. “I would not be comfortable budgeting another one-million-dollar drawdown of our health reserve to balance the budget,” he said. Schulhof also expressed disappointment that many of the proposed budget cuts are targeted towards cutting back on student experience and increasing the size of certain classes.
Board Member Leah Dembitzer asked whether the district’s current financial state might create difficulty in going to bond, but Sullivan assured her otherwise. Like Schulhof, Dembitzer also decried the notion of increasing class sizes, fearing it will reduce the quality of learning as well as strain schools’ physical spaces. Board Member Yusuf requested a more comprehensive investigation of healthcare options. “Drew, I don’t envy you as you look to ways to try to stay under the [tax] cap,” she said to Superintendent Patrick. Board President Hahn expressed concern that the rising healthcare costs may represent a new paradigm.
With that, Budget Study Session #1 concluded, and the Business Meeting portion of the evening began.
Dr. Patrick discussed a settlement paid under a claim filed regarding 2019 Child’s Victim Act. Assistant Superintendent Lennon shared the good news that the scaffolding for the new SHS auditorium has come down and theatrical lighting has been installed. “The space is really starting to show its new face,” he said.
Students, parents comment on potential athletic program cuts
As the first public comment period began, a crowd of people who had patiently waited for a turn to speak made their way to the podium. Kabir Balja, a sophomore, a member of the Scarsdale and PCRA rowing teams, dispelled what he called some misconceptions about the program, while also citing SHS rowers who had gone on to notable athletic achievements post-graudation. “Scarsdale is able to empower their kids to do something really special,” he said. “It’s a really big part of our lives.” SHS senior and rower Matthew Bochner said. “Scarsdale really prides themselves in their ability to send hundreds of students every year to some of the greatest higher-level education places in the U.S. and the world. And rowing has given such amazing opportunities to so many students at this school to reach those places…I just feel like it is a sin to take that opportunity away from the future generation of Scarsdale students.” He added that he too is being recruited by colleges for his rowing ability.
Numerous crew members and their parents urged the Board and administration not to cut the program.
Daphna Arenstein, yet another rower, gestured to two girls standing beside her, saying, “I have seen all three of us grow as people.” She cited the values of community team building, adding, “for me…this has been life-saving and life-changing.” Anya Ahuja, a sophomore who plays squash, said, “This team has already affected my life in so many good ways—socially, mentally, and physically. I hope you will consider keeping such an important part of our high school experience for all of us…”
Sameer Ahuja, father of Anya, mentioned that he is a member of the Scarsdale Board of Trustees, though speaking in a personal capacity. Stating he felt as though the meeting regarded cuts to non-sanctioned sports as “a foregone conclusion,” he requested that Board members not assume that students aren’t showing up to games and practices, explaining that many simply opt not to ride the school buses to the sites. “A lot of those [low-participation] sports are a basis for equitable access because there’s a lot of kids who may not gravitate to the popular sports,” he said. He also pointed out that smaller teams mean more personal attention for each student from their coaches. Seema Saran Ahuja, the mother of Anya, shared that Anya’s grandfather had played squash as well, making it a family tradition. When Anya learned that SHS was forming a squash team, “I can’t explain to you how much I felt like the universe was telling us that Scarsdale was the right place for us,” she said.
Junior Alina Yang, a member of the nonprofit Guardians of the Heart, advocated for student CPR training. “We urge the Board to allocate the necessary funding and resources, review the current educational regulations, and support the formal integration of CPR training as well as certification into our school curriculums…” she said.
A student asked the Board and administration to make CPR training part of the school curriculum.
Turning back to sports, rower Alex Sharp praised the way in which the sport has shaped his identity. “It’s helped me find out who I am, and it’s helped me become the person I am today,” he told the Board. Later, Sharp’s parents praised the program as well, pointing out it is a rare sport in that male and female athletes work together.
Resident Claudine Gecel praised the budget-study draft and the way in which it scrutinized big-ticket budget items. Regarding a healthcare plan, she suggested that the district investigate the possibility of working with a boutique firm that specializes in reinsuring special risk cases.
Resident Moira Crouch spoke in favor of rowing: “I’m a crew parent, and it’s a great program,” she told the Board. “It’s a very nurturing environment when they’re freshman, and then they grow into this love of it.”
During public comment session #2, Shirley Dugan (wife of BOE Member Jim Dugan) expressed her support for the rowing program as well. “It’s been a really transformative experience for our family…” she said.
Treasurer’s report
Scarsdale schools treasurer Lisa Zaresky reported that $1.7 million in tax receipts were received from the Village in the month of December. An addition $40K was received from Mamaroneck, along with a $50K grant and aid from New York State, an additional allocation of state aid. The district also received $393,000 in excess cost aid, and the monthly distribution of lottery aid. Interest earnings from November were approximately $256,000.
Teacher education
A teacher’s representative made a brief appearance to outline the need for new teacher-training courses as part of the Scarsdale Teacher’s Institute.
Bond and advocacy progress
Superintendent Patrick shared that the 5-step process of formulating a new bond proposal is coming along on schedule. He advocated for a district-wide facilities committee, with the goal of achieving intimate knowledge of all school buildings and their needs. Board Member Klein warned against spending money to fix facilities that may soon become obsolete anyway. Afterwards Board President Hahn discussed various legislative advocacy plans afoot, and the need for clarification on a proposed law banning internet-enabled devices during school hours.
Importantly the Board voted to approve the draft of the formerly tentative 2025-2026 school year calendar (see below).
After a second public comments section, during which resident Shirley Dugan spoke, the meeting was adjourned.
The 2025-2026 school calendar.
The Board accepted with thanks an $8,000 gift for a permanent kindness mural in the Heathcote Elementary multipurpose room.