BOE Leaders Brown and Dugan Greet the School Year with Optimism

Jim Dugan and Colleen BrownSetting an optimistic tone for the new school year, Scarsdale’s BOE President James Dugan and Vice President Colleen Brown, recently sat down with Scarsdale10583.com for a casual conversation and to share a few insights. Looking forward to a smooth and successful year as BOE President, Mr. Dugan shared his thoughts on a variety of topics covering everything from the District’s new cell phone policy to concerns about federal funding.

Speaking about the new, New York State “bell-to-bell” cellphone ban (a policy that prohibits students from using cell phones and other internet-enabled devices from the start to the end of the school day), Mr. Dugan shared that the implementation of the new rules seems to be going smoothly and appreciated by many. Brown further noted that as the high school adjusts to the new rules and irons out any wrinkles, teachers aren’t heavily enforcing the new consequences but rather issuing reminders to their students to keep their phones turned off and put away, easing them into the new practices. While acknowledging it will be an adjustment for some high school students and even their parents, Dugan and Brown were hopeful that the benefits of the change will create a positive and engaging learning environment for all.

Also in regard to the high school, Dugan explained that administrators have considered the concerns about the Rolling Grade Book (a new grading policy implemented last year) and used that feedback to make helpful adjustments. One such adjustment comes in the form of an “Open Grade Book” policy that is set to begin this October. As Principal Bonamo explained it to the students, “The goal of the online gradebook is to have teachers and students have access to a shared record of progress throughout the year, and to lower the stress around grades by having that information accessible to you.” Dugan expressed his appreciation for this sort of response to community feedback and the actions taken to remain “student centered" and to put their needs first. He added, “As education evolves, we have to evolve too.”

The District’s elementary math curriculum is another area that administrators seem to be listening to community feedback and making appropriate adjustments. Dugan and Brown reiterated information shared in a recent BOE meeting highlighting the work teachers and faculty members did over the summer to make adaptations to the curriculum to better serve students. Dugan also called attention to upcoming curriculum-related coffee mornings where Dr. Edgar McIntosh will present the parent community with pertinent details and material.

In regard to the annual school budget vote, Dugan related that rising health care costs continue to be a concern. Though there were specific healthcare related events that affected last year’s budget that Dugan doesn’t foresee impacting this year’s, he expressed that rising costs continue to be an important consideration.

He went on to relate that finding a balance between what is fiscally responsible and providing all the support and equipment that helps to shape our District’s reputation for an exemplary education, is always difficult. Dugan also recognized that continuing to rely on reserve funds to balance the budget isn’t sustainable but despite these challenges, the Board remains committed to figuring out creative ways to ensure critical funding.

Though the District doesn’t receive a large amount of federal funding, Dugan and Brown expressed concern about changes in the Department of Education and the impact the loss of funding could have on the budget, however minimal it might be.

When asked about Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Brown explained that the District maintains their commitment to creating a sense of belonging for all students and to fostering an environment that promotes empathy and inclusion. She went on to describe how the District is utilizing what was learned from the Belonging Survey that was given last year, to provide appropriate support and resources to all the school communities.