Superintendent and School Board Request Community Feedback on Proposed School Budget
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- Written by Joanne Wallenstein
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(The following letter was written by Scarsdale School Superintendent Drew Patrick, School Board President Ron Schulhof and School Board Vice President Suzie Hahn.)
Dear Scarsdale Community,
We are seeking your feedback on the proposed budget for the 2024-2025 school year. We hope you will take this opportunity to review the proposed budget, which was presented during the March 11th Budget Study Session #3 and is outlined on slide 23. This year’s budget was especially challenging, given the desire to continue and expand our educational programming while managing many fiscal headwinds. We believe the proposed budget finds the appropriate balance of delivering the educational programs and services that our students deserve and that our community expects while being responsive to the fiscal realities that many school districts are facing. The proposed budget reflects an increase of 3.96% over the current year budget, and a tax levy increase of 4.39%.
On March 25th, the Board will hold a Budget Forum where the administration will review the budget process and proposed budget, the community will be invited to share their feedback, and the Board will discuss any potential budget updates in response to community feedback. The Board is then expected to vote on April 8th on the final budget to present to the community during the May 21st public budget vote.
Budget Accomplishments
As it stands, the current proposed budget continues the programs and services that we think our students deserve and that our community expects. We will continue to deliver the exceptional level of instruction provided through small class sizes at the elementary level, the house and team structure at the middle school, and vibrant programs of study at the high school. Mental health and special education staffing and resources put in place over the last several years will be continued. While the proposed reductions from the administration’s original budget will mean we have to postpone the start of some new classes and programs to the future, our students will continue to receive the highest level of education throughout their K-12 experience.
What is Driving the Budget Increases?
As with many other organizations and school districts, we are facing a number of large cost increases due to inflation, health care, and other non-discretionary expenses. The major drivers of the year to year increase in expenses are contractual salaries and wages, health and other employee benefits, retirement contributions, social security, and contractual services including education services providers and maintenance and transportation contracts. We have also increased our headcount over the past years in response to the increasing numbers and needs of students in special education, which are mandated services. Put simply, both the growth in the programs serving students and increases in the cost of goods and services have collectively created the pressure we are now experiencing.
Changes from the Administration’s Initial Budget Proposal
Initially, the administration proposed a preliminary budget on February 5 reflecting a 5.08% year to year budget increase and tax levy increase of 5.6% to fully deliver their program goals. Over the past many weeks, the administration has been responsive to the Board’s requests to seek expenditure reductions from that proposal. While the Board fully supported the educational goals in the budget, the Board believed it was prudent to consider expense reductions. The current proposal has reduced expenditures by $2 million through two tranches of reductions: (a) The first tranche of approximately $1M in reductions as discussed during the March 4th meeting, and the second tranche of approximately another $1M in reductions discussed at the March 11th meeting. It is important to note that the second tranche of reductions does impact the administration’s original list of budget goals for next year, including the deferrals of a new Financial Literacy class and an advanced math class at the high school and reducing expenditures on new safety & security items.
Community Feedback
We are now at a critically important point in the budget development process. We urge you to review the budget materials linked herein and found on our website or watch the most recent budget presentation and discussion from March 11th, and share your feedback on the proposed budget between now and Monday, March 25, 2024. You may also wish to share your input directly with us at the Budget Forum at 6:30 PM March 25th. The full budget book is also now available. Some questions you may wish to consider:
Do you have feedback about the second tranche of reductions that impact some of the original budget goals?
Are there additional items you would have liked the administration and Board to consider, either adding or removing from this year or future year budgets?
How do you feel about the level of budget and tax increase being proposed?
We encourage you to stay engaged with the conversation, and look forward to your feedback. The Board of Education and Superintendent can be emailed at boardofed@scarsdaleschools.org.
Public Vote on the Budget
As you may know, approximately 10 years ago New York State instituted a new threshold to local school district budgets which requires a 60% voter approval to approve a school budget, rather than a simple majority vote. This threshold, often referred to as the "tax cap," is the lower of 2% or inflation, adjusted for various other local factors such as capital projects. This year the threshold for Scarsdale Schools is 3.63%. Since the proposed budget results in a 4.39% tax increase, it will require a 60% approval this year to pass. It is our view that the proposed budget is in the best interest of our students and that further reductions, including the elimination of additional expenditures to bring the budget within the “tax cap,” would significantly impact the ability of the Scarsdale Schools to meet our academic goals and priorities. Some examples of further cuts to the budget would include eliminating 3-4 teaching positions and canceling all Varsity and Junior Varsity “B” teams. A full list of potential reductions needed to meet the “tax cap” is available on slides 31-34 in the March 11th presentation.
Ultimately, each School District retains local control in determining the appropriate budget to deliver the educational programming and experience desired by the community. It is our belief that the proposed budget balances the educational expectations of our students and community while respecting our fiscal responsibilities.
Sincerely,
Ron Schulhof, Board of Education President
Suzie Hahn, Board of Education Vice President
Dr. Drew Patrick, Superintendent
Your Letters: In Support of Jeremy Gans and Jeremy Wise for Village Trustee
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- Written by Joanne Wallenstein
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(This letter was written by Jeffrey Watiker)
Dear Editor,
I write in unconditional support of Jeremy Gans for re-election as Village Trustee. Given the commitment of time and energy required to serve on the Board of Trustees, I am appreciative of anyone willing to serve, especially for a second term. However, even among the talented persons who have served as Trustees, both currently and in the past, Jeremy truly stands out.
I was privileged to work closely with Jeremy for several years on the Scarsdale Board of Zoning Appeals and since that time I have continued to work closely with him in his capacity as the assigned Trustee liaison to the Village land use boards. He is hard-working, dedicated, a very good listener and a fast learner. He is detail oriented and yet also able to grasp the big picture. He is both a team player and a person will exercise independent judgment when the circumstances warrant. If re-elected, I have every confidence his presence on the Board will help assure that our Village government continues to operate efficiently and fairly.
Accordingly, I strongly encourage all Scarsdale residents to join me in voting for Jeremy on March 19th.
Jeffrey Watiker
8 Wynmor Road
(This letter was written by William and Cynthia Roberts)
To the Editor: Jeremy Wise, Candidate for Scarsdale Village Trustee
We are writing in enthusiastic support of Jeremy Wise for Village of Scarsdale Trustee.
I have known Jeremy since our shared childhood in New Rochelle, NY. Longtime residents of Scarsdale, Jeremy and his wife Randi Wise, have lived here for 33 years.
My wife, Cynthia, and I have lived in Scarsdale for 24 years and have followed many municipal issues closely. This has provided a picture of the myriad challenges that can face our Village Board. We have never been as excited about a potential Trustee as we are now.
Jeremy brings an unusually rich experience to the table as a potential Trustee.
After graduating from Columbia University and Boston College Law School, Jeremy has spent most of his more than 40-year career in public service. He just retired from his most recent role, having served for 23 years as General Counsel to a state appointed board responsible for overseeing the finances of Nassau County, NY.
In that role, he gained an intimate understanding of the intricacies of running a municipality. He worked closely with the state appointed board on labor relations, contracts, budgets, and multi-year financial plans. Jeremy was also responsible for compliance with regulations addressing such areas as personnel, ethics and access to public information.
Jeremy worked collaboratively with the elected officials and staff of a large municipality to ensure that the residents of Nassau County were well-served in a fiscally responsible manner.
These experiences make him particularly well suited to the responsibilities of Trustee in Scarsdale. He would work in a collaborative manner with the Mayor and other Trustees, as well as with the Village Manager and other full time staff of Scarsdale.
On a personal note Jeremy is an avid gardener, and he and his wife are dedicated hikers and swimmers who use the local facilities several times per week year-round. His energy is seemingly endless.
He has a gracious manner and a warm sense of humor. He and his wife, Randi, enjoyed raising their two children in Scarsdale and are now happily involved grandparents.
With his work experience and these personal qualities, Jeremy’s energy, wisdom and collaborative nature would make him an ideal Trustee to represent the interests and welfare of the residents of Scarsdale.
Sincerely,
William and Cynthia Roberts
15 Autenrieth Road
Gas, Water and Sewer Lines to Be Replaced: Traffic Diversions Ahead
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- Written by Joanne Wallenstein
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Gas and stormwater pipe replacements will continue to cause traffic woes in the year to come. This week the Village announced more plans to replace gas, water and sewer lines which will cause roads to be closed and excavated and traffic to be diverted. So be aware of these upcoming projects:
The work begins this week on Spencer Place in Scarsdale Village where a gas main will be replaced, causing lane closures and blocking parking spaces. Here’s the details on this project:
Spencer Place
On February 28 Con Edison will begin the replacement of a 200-foot length section of vintage 4” diameter steel gas main including several customer service lines along Spencer Place between Boniface Circle and Harwood Court in the Village Center. During this work, traffic will be able to continue through Spencer Place with some restricted parking and partial lane closures. The anticipated timeline for road excavation and utility replacement will be approximately two weeks, followed by an additional week of restoration, weather permitting. This project will occur between the hours of 8:00 A.M. and 4:30 P.M., Monday through Friday.
As work progresses, there will be restrictions on street parking adjacent to the work zone. Police personnel will also be on site for the duration of the project to further assist with traffic control.
Any questions or concerns about this project should be directed to Con Edison’s Supervisor Santos Ramos at 1-929-637-4102, or by e-mail at RamosS@coned.com. You may also contact Con Edison’s Westchester Regional & Community Affairs Office at 1-914-925-6361, or by e- mail at dl-WestchesterRCA@coned.com.
Crossway
Another major project is planned for Crossway, where the water main will be replaced from Weaver Street to Mamaroneck Road. The project is expected to take six months, beginning in March and extending through November.
Fenimore and Fox Meadow Road
Fox Meadow and Greenacres residents, who have lived through traffic disruptions caused by the Con Edison gas line replacement since 2021 will be subject to even more road closures, this time at one of Scarsdale’s biggest intersections where Fenimore Road meets Fox Meadow Road.
It turns out that as a part of the gas line replacement project, Con Edison has determined that they need the Village of Scarsdale to relocate the water main under the intersection to a lower depth to make room for the new Con Edison gas main. Also to be replaced and relocated is the sewer main. Depending on its condition it will be replaced or relined at a minimum.
At the Village Board meeting on February 27, 2024, the Board approved a memo of understanding with Con Edison to relocate the water and sewer lines along with a professional service agreement with Woodard and Curran for the design of the relocation of the water main and sewer to allow the installation of a 36” gas main.
Timing for the project has not been given as yet.
Candidate Jeremy Wise Brings a Wealth of Experience to Village Government
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- Written by Joanne Wallenstein
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Scarsdale’s Jeremy Wise has been nominated by the Citizens Nominating Committee to run for Scarsdale Village Trustee. You can meet him at a candidate’s meet and greet at Scarsdale Library on Sunday March 10 from 12:30 – 2 pm. And remember to vote in the election on Tuesday, March 19 in the Scott Room at Scarsdale Public Library at 54 Olmsted Road. Voting hours will be from 6:00 am to 9:00 pm.
We asked him to answer a few questions and here is what he shared:
Tell how about yourself: How long have you lived in Scarsdale and why do you enjoy living here?
I have been a resident of Scarsdale for 33 years. I feel fortunate to have had the opportunity to raise my children here and take advantage of all that the Village has offered to me and my family.
Tell us about your education and professional experience. What were some of the highlights of your career?
I have studied, written about, and worked in local government throughout my adult life. I graduated magna cum laude from Columbia where I was elected to Phi Beta Kappa. I majored in political science with an emphasis on local government. Shortly after graduating from college, I had an article entitled, “The Roles of the City Manager,” published in a nationally recognized magazine.
In the succeeding years, I worked primarily as an attorney in legal positions related to state or local government. For the past 23 years, I was the General Counsel of a New York State Authority that the State Legislature put in place to assist in Nassau County’s fiscal recovery.
During my 23 years at the Authority, I was involved in all matters related to the County’s fiscal health. These included its contracts, labor relations, budgets, and multi-year financial plans. I was also in charge of issuing billions of dollars of bonds on behalf of the County. As the chief legal officer of a State public authority, I was also responsible for compliance with numerous laws and regulations in areas such as freedom of information, ethics, and personnel.
Why did you decide to run for Village Trustee now?
Now that I have retired, I have more time to devote to community service and to share my experience in local government with the wider community.
What expertise do you hope to share with the Board of Trustees?
I have experience in almost every aspect of local government and the laws and regulations that apply to them. For example, I am familiar with budgeting, property tax challenges, debt issuance, contracting, and labor relations.
Based on your experiences as a resident, what are some of the challenges that are facing the Village?
The Village faces most of the same challenges as other government entities. These include law enforcement, tax caps, funding capital improvements, long term obligations to employees, land use and labor relations.
As a trustee, what would you like to work on?
I have a significant amount of experience in budgeting and borrowing for the provision of local services, so I suppose my input might be most valuable in those areas.
Regardless of what I work on, I will always consider myself an advocate for the residents and a knowledgeable liaison to the employees of the Village.
Dance, Music, Games and a Feast for the Year of the Dragon
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- Written by Joanne Wallenstein
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It’s the Year of the Dragon and Scarsdale’s Chinese residents produced a beautiful event to mark the new year. Over 220 celebrants attended a Lunar New Year gala hosted by the Scarsdale Chinese Association at the Sonesta Hotel in White Plains on the evening of February 11.
There were dancers, instrumental performance, a choir, lively games of musical chairs, plus cash prizes for lucky raffle winners.
Performances mixed traditional Chinese dance with some Zumba and hip hop inspired numbers, giving the evening a contemporary feel. From toddlers to senior citizens, everyone appeared to be enjoying the music, the dance, the dinner and the fun.
Chief event planner Elaine Wang said, “The Chinese New Year Gala was very successful. During the Gala, everyone enjoyed the song and dance performances prepared by the Chinese residents of Scarsdale. The children and the mayor participated in fun games. Everyone also tasted the delicious dinner from The Best Sichuan. The New Year's party ended successfully in harmony with everyone exchanging new year blessings.”
Scarsdale Mayor Justin Arest attended with Trustee Dara Gruenberg.
He said, “It is an honor to be here this evening representing the Board of Trustees with Trustee Dara Gruenberg. In this significant year, the year of the dragon, let us embrace the dragon’s courage and vitality. May the coming months be marked by prosperity, health, and harmony for you and your loved ones. Together, let’s weave these blessings into the fabric of our wonderful community, building a future as bright and enduring as the spirit of the dragon itself.
Happy New Year, and may the Year of the Dragon bring joy and success to all!”
Also leading the event were Abby Zhou, Michael Wu, Stephanie Yu Panpan, Jing Lu, Vivan Lin and Stella Zhang.
