Trustees Brief the LWVS on the Pool, Playgrounds, Land Use and More
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What’s happening with the Scarsdale Pool? … Will we have more turf fields? … And some new playgrounds? These were just a few of the subjects covered at a panel discussion with Scarsdale Village Trustees and the Village Manager hosted by the Scarsdale League of Women Voters on Friday September 26 at Scarsdale Library.
LWVS President Beth Cukier welcomed the group and reminded everyone to register to vote. Liz Siprelle reviewed the League’s annual program and Diksha Mudbhary introduced panelists Village Manager Alex Marshall, Mayor Justin Arest, Deputy Mayor Dara Gruenberg, Village Trustees Jason Kofman along with Deputy Village Manager Stephen Shallo who was in attendance.
Mudbhary remarked, “We have no shortage of talent or opinions on how we get things done.”
Panelists provided an overview of some top items on the agenda and an explanation of how priorities are set. Mayor Justin Arest said, “It’s a combination of balance and planning … weighing community needs and wants against our resources.”
Village Manager Alex Marshall said that Scarsdale has about 18,000 residents in a 6.6 square mile Village. The Village conducts 100 programs annually and manages an $70 million budget.
About stormwater management, Marshall said that culverts have been replaced on Catherine Road using FEMA funding, and grant applications are now being prepared for Westchester County funding for other projects that have been identified.
Another priority is the condition of roadways, as a survey last year found that 28% of Village roads were in poor or fair condition. This year the Village already completed 10.64 miles of re-paving and an updated paving study is in process.
Advocacy for residents is another role of local government. Mayor Arest discussed how Scarsdale is pushing back against rate hikes from Con Edison. He said, “We sent a strongly worded letter to the Public Service Commission and testified in hearings and we entered into a rate case with 40 municipalities.”
The Village recognized Gun Violence Awareness Day, Denim Day (against sexual assault), and is working with NYCOM, the NY Conference of Mayors, and also advocated for the return of a local resident arrested by ICE.
Arest said, “Changes to the Village’s land use code were driven by the community who was concerned with the impact of development on home bulk and aesthetics. We entered into a six month moratorium to examine some changes. As a result gravel is now counted as an impervious surface (reducing lot coverage), we added requirements for construction management plans, additional triggers for site plan review and collaboration with other land use boards.”
He announced a work session of the Village Board on Tuesday September 30, 2025 at 6 pm where the Village Planner will give an update on how the new code is working.
Turning to athletic fields, Arest showed plans to install a multipurpose turf field, a parking lot and a support building at Winston Field. A traffic study for the $5 mm project is now being done.
At Freightway Garage, the Board has authorized $2.2 million in funds to maintain the integrity of the structure. He said trustees plan to continue to operate this as a garage but will examine next steps for its usage.
Changes in parking policies are also afoot in response to complaints that the system was cumbersome. New technology to buy parking permits will come online next year. To address complaints that metered parking regulations lacked clarity, new signage and pay stations will be installed. Parking payments bring in $2mm in revenue each year, or 10% of Scarsdale’s non tax revenue.
In response to requests from residents the Village is looking at ways to improve the quality of sidewalks to expand them.
Trustee Kofman gave an update on sustainability initiatives and cited success on tree canopy goals, LED streetlights and composting which earned Scarsdale the Westchester County Eco Award for the highest percentage of waste reduction in 2024.
This year, Scarsdale took delivery of Westchester’s first electric garbage truck, strengthened regulations concerning tree removals and is consider licensing requirements for tree surgeons and regulations on when trees can be removed.
The Village has recently completed the renovation of Library Pond where there is a beautiful new retaining wall, new stormwater treatment equipment and the turtles have returned.
There’s more good news for young families who use Scarsdale’s playgrounds. Deputy Mayor Gruenberg reported that new equipment has been installed at Greenacres and Willow and Aspen Parks will be replaced by the end of the year. The Village’s Recreation Supervisor has done an assessment of all Village-owned playgrounds and more replacements will be done in future years.
And finally, what about the pool?
Gruenberg reported that the last work session on the pool was held in January 2025. At that time, the feeling was to move forward with plans for an indoor/outdoor pool complex. She said that construction costs are now being estimated along with the operational costs for a year-round facility. The Board plans to have a public presentation on the pool by the end of October and will also reach out to the neighborhood associations to get feedback from residents on this large public works project.
There was further discussion on the Sunday Farmer’s Markets, the Village’s communication program and a potential renovation of Scarsdale Village Hall, which was constructed in the 1960’s and has barely been touched.
It was an informative overview of everything Scarsdale and a demonstration of how volunteers collaborate with the professional staff to run the Village.
Paint the ’Dale: Join the Community Mural Project on October 12
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The Village of Scarsdale and the Scarsdale Business Alliance are pleased to announce Paint the ’Dale: A Community Mural Project, taking place on Sunday, October 12, 2025, from 8:00 AM to 1:00 PM at Chase Park.
Be part of creating Scarsdale’s newest piece of public art — the “We ♥ Scarsdale” mural, designed by acclaimed Westchester artist Joe Pimentel. Parents and community members can sign up for a 20-minute time slot, and anyone ages five and older will have the chance to add their brushstrokes to the mural. Click here to reserve your painting time.
In addition to the mural painting, the event will feature family-friendly activities, including:
• A Gratitude Rock Garden where participants can paint and share messages of hope and thanks
• Hands-on art projects led by local artists and studios
• Crafts, games, and interactive “We ♥ Scarsdale” experiences for children and families
“This event represents the heart of Scarsdale, bringing together community, creativity, and connection,” said Deputy Mayor Dara Gruenberg, one of the organizers of the event. “We are so proud to invite residents to come together, celebrate our village and create a lasting work of art that reflects our shared spirit and love of Scarsdale,” she added.
More information is available on the Paint the ’Dale event page at scarsdale.gov/paintthedale.
Paint the ’Dale is part of the Destination Scarsdale event series and is proudly presented in collaboration with the Scarsdale Village Arts Advisory Council, the Advisory Council on Human Relations, and the Scarsdale Business Alliance, with valuable input from the Village Historians.
Scarsdale High School Students Navigate New Phone Policy
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The start of the school year is always a buzz at Scarsdale High School (SHS): new classes, meeting teachers, making new friends, and this year, a statewide phone ban that has been stirring up quite the debate.|
Under New York’s new ban, all Scarsdale students are now prohibited from using cell phones during school hours (with the exception of teachers requiring cell phone use for class-time activities). What used to be a highly popular electronic tool for music, messaging, and scheduling throughout the school day is now expected to remain entirely out of sight. While the law aims to reduce distractions and promote face-to-face learning, Scarsdale High School students are divided. Some see it as a needed reset with positive outcomes, while others are calling it a communication crisis.
We spoke to three SHS students, all high school tennis players of varying ages with unique perspectives on how the ban is shaping their school life.|
“This Isn’t Helping. It’s Making Things Worse”
For Sophomore Keila Patel, who’s been a part of the Scarsdale school system since elementary school, the phone ban feels like an overcorrection.
“I think that it is a very bad idea,” she states. “No one really abused the old phone rules. Phones stayed in the caddy during class, but we could use them during lunch and free periods. I think it worked well.”
Now, under the new ban, she worries that the drastic shift will actually encourage rule-breaking, and therefore contradicting its purpose. “It’s so extreme that I think more students will try to get around it.”
Beyond policy, Keila points to logistical issues, especially given SHS’s huge campus and packed student schedules. “Lunchtime communication will be so inconvenient. It’s a big school, so how are we supposed to coordinate with friends or group meetings?”
As a varsity athlete, Keila also emphasizes the effect that the ban will have on school sports. “Matches are often rescheduled last minute. Coaches rely on texting or quick updates, and this ban breaks that communication link.”
“It Could Actually Make Us Smarter, If It Lasts”
Sophomore Sophia Fox Khodri, who joined the Scarsdale school system in 7th grade after moving from abroad, sees the phone ban through a different lens.
“I believe it’ll create a positive impact,” she says. “It pushes us to be more social and less reliant on AI tools like ChatGPT, and we can focus on thoroughly learning the class material.”
While she acknowledges the usefulness of cell phones, especially in emergencies, Sophia believes the ban might teach a deeper lesson. “Phones are both a distraction and a tool. It depends on the student. But if we’re constantly glued to them, we miss out on real interactions.”
Still, she remains realistic about the future of the policy. “But I don’t think it’ll last. Students are already figuring out how to sneak phones into the bathrooms without teachers noticing.”
While she sees the potential for more social interaction and growth, she also offers a cautionary note. “Banning phones could backfire. It might actually increase bad behavior. I feel that students may rebel against the ban, leading to bad behavior and therefore, disciplinary actions.”
“I Understand, But It’s Still Frustrating”
As a newcomer to SHS, freshman SHS freshman Jiya enters high school already familiar with an “off and away” phone policy from middle school. However, the high school version, she says, is a different game.
“The middle school had rules, but the high school is way bigger. More students, more clubs, and more sports. I feel that students need their phones sometimes just to stay organized.”
While she agrees that phones can be distracting, she also believes many students are capable of managing their devices responsibly. “Some people definitely need the structure. But others are able to use their phones wisely for homework, schedules, reminders, and communication.”
Jiya notes that transitioning from middle to high school under this policy likely won’t shock her peers socially as they are already used to being apart from their cell phones during school hours, and recognizes both the positives and negative aspects of the phone policy.
The Bigger Picture
Scarsdale High School is known for its academic rigor and highly engaged students. The phone ban touches not just students’ day-to-day lives and convenience, but also deeper questions: What role should technology play in our learning? Are broader rules fair for all students, or should responsibility be handled on a case-by-case basis?
What’s clear is that the policy has already shifted the rhythm of daily life at SHS, from how students coordinate their lunch plans, to how they check in with coaches, teachers, and parents. Whether this policy sticks firm or sparks quiet rebellion behind doors remains to be seen.
For now, the student body is learning to navigate a new school life.
Welcoming Remarks from Scarsdale School Board Leaders
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It is hard to believe that the 2025-26 school year is almost here! It seems like only yesterday that we were relaxing at the beach with a good book, and now suddenly it is time to prepare to welcome our students back to school. During the summer, much has been happening in our schools to ensure a successful school year. Our teachers have been diligently working on program improvement projects and attending summer Scarsdale Teachers’ Institute courses, while our facilities team took on much-needed projects in our buildings, and our support staff were busy updating systems and communications.
We would like to extend a warm welcome to Trish Iasiello as she begins her first full year as principal of Greenacres Elementary School. We also would like to thank Ron Schulhof, who recently completed his second term on the Board, for his six years of dedicated service to the community, including as the Board’s President and Vice-President. In addition, we welcome back Suzie Hahn and Colleen Brown to a second term, and welcome Laura Liu, who began her first term on the Board. And, last but not least, we welcome our two new student members, Anish Mehta, SHS Class of 2026, and Lucy Eisenberg, SHS Class of 2027.
Touching briefly on recent milestones, we would like to thank the Scarsdale community for your engagement in the budget process and support of the 2025-26 School Budget. This budget continues the tradition of academic excellence and care for the whole child, which are the hallmarks of a Scarsdale education, while navigating a challenging fiscal environment for public schools. Accomplishments of this budget include the implementation of certain field improvements recommended by the joint Village/District field study, expansion of our special education program for children currently in-District along the continuum of services, initiation of an elementary school playground redesign and replacement program at Fox Meadow, strengthened Safety, Security, and Emergency Management (SSEM) measures throughout the District with the continued addition of door-ajar sensors and security cameras, and acquisition of 3 EV buses and the associated installation of charging infrastructure as the first phase in a long-term program to fulfill the mandated zero-emissions vehicle requirements established by NY State.
Looking forward, our work will continue to be guided by the Strategic Plan around the themes of Learning, Living, and Leading that serve as the foundation and vision for all we do. The District’s priorities this year will continue Scarsdale’s history of being on the cutting edge of secondary public education, and, in support of the District’s mission and its Strategic Plan, the Board of Education will establish goals and objectives for the school year. Among other things, this school year marks the roll-out of the District’s Off and Away for the Day policy, which bars the use of cellphones and internet-connected devices by students from bell-to-bell. In addition to being supported by many in the community, this policy is also mandated by NYS law. We would also like to highlight two of our Board goals for the coming year.
Integration of our student ex officio members:
This year, consistent with new state legal requirements, the Board will, for the first time in its history, welcome two student non-voting members who will participate in our public meetings and offer their perspectives and voices to our deliberations. We look forward to integrating our new student members and ensuring that student voices become a routine and valued aspect of our public deliberation process.
Bond work:
The Board currently anticipates a public bond referendum in the spring of 2026, as certain prior debt will be substantially paid down by the 2026-2027 school year. The capital raised by the bond is expected to fund much-needed improvements to our buildings, infrastructure, and athletic facilities. We expect that there will be a great deal of public discussion throughout the fall and spring, as the District’s Capital Projects Steering Committee, composed of parents, community members, Board members, teachers, and administrators, along with our professional consultants, comes forward with its recommendations.
There are many ways to provide your comments, feedback, or questions to the Board. The full Board can be reached at [email protected]. We also invite you to attend our public meetings, where there are opportunities for members of the community to address the Board and Administration either in person or over Zoom. Board meeting calendars and agendas can be found on the Board of Education page of the Scarsdale Schools website: www.scarsdaleschools.org/board.
If you have not already done so, please visit the Scarsdale Schools homepage and click on the link to “Sign Up for District News/Updates” to ensure receipt of the Board’s and District’s emails to the community, including summaries of each Board meeting.
We very much appreciate your staying informed and connected to the Board and the District. We wish everyone a productive, happy, and healthy school year and look forward to seeing you soon.
Paulin Reviews a Bipartisan Effort to Secure the Release of Yeonsoo Go
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How did Assemblywoman Amy Paulin work to secure the release of Yeonsoo Go, a 2024 Scarsdale High School graduate who was detained by ICE? Paulin was interviewed about her work by News 12 reporter Jonathan Gordon on August 11, 2025 and here is what she said:
Jonathan Gordon: Turning to a story that sparked outrage which stretched far beyond one small Westchester village, Yeonsoo Go, a Scarsdale High School graduate and student at Purdue University, was released from ICE custody after she was arrested moments after a hearing to extend her visa. The saga brought out support for her and her family as a bipartisan group of lawmakers pushed to secure - and eventually did secure - her release. Among them was State Assemblywoman Amy Paulin, whose district includes Scarsdale. Assemblywoman Paulin joins us to talk more about the situation and the broader issue of immigration enforcement in our communities. Assemblywoman, thank you so much for being here. Can you talk to us about what happened?
Assemblywoman Amy Paulin: Yeonsoo went to immigration court for what she believed was a routine court appearance to extend her visa beyond December 2025, as it was valid through that time, and to address her green card application which she had applied for in July. On Thursday, July 31, after the court appearance, she was essentially arrested and detained at 26 Federal Plaza. Then on Saturday morning, we now know from her, she was taken to the airport by bus at about 10:15 a.m. and flown to Louisiana. Yesterday, (Monday, August 4), she returned to New York and then was released around 6:00 p.m. when her mother got there.
Jonathan Gordon: Let’s pull back the curtain a little bit. Behind the scenes you were working with federal partners on both sides of the aisle to get her home, maybe not part of the traditional legislative job. What can you tell us about what was actually going on there?
Assemblywoman Amy Paulin: Well, there’s nothing that isn’t part of my job, just so you know. The mother of one of Yeonsoo’s dear friends who knew two of my staff members very well (they live in the same neighborhood) had reached out to them and they in turn reached out to me to see what we could do. I immediately contacted Chuck Schumer’s office, Kristin Gillibrand’s office, George Latimer’s office, and Mike Lawler’s office. When I knew she was Korean, I reached out to Grace Meng’s office. That was between 6:00 a.m. and 9:00 a.m. on Saturday morning. Chuck Schumer’s office had already been contacted by her church. George Latimer’s office had already been contacted by the family, just like I was, but the others had not been.
They then coordinated together, Democrats working together under Chuck Schumer’s leadership and Mike Lawler on the Republican side, to contact the agencies involved to try to free her and to explain that her visa was intact and to find out exactly what was happening. Mike Lawler, being in the majority, of course had best access to the information and was able to infiltrate, figure out, and ultimately work with DHS most directly.
Clearly on the democratic side, the energy was palpable. There was a lot of collaborative work being done to free Yeonsoo and luckily we had someone on the majority side who was equally a part of it.
I also reached out to another community member who I know is good friends with the president. It’s not a call I could make but it’s a contact they have and a call they could make to the executive branch. Things all started coming together. Sometimes in politics and in all issues if there’s a collective voice it’s paid more attention to. We worked very hard and are very proud that the community came together in this very bipartisan, collective way to address what we believe was an injustice and an unfairness in this case.
Jonathan Gordon: Looking at the bigger picture about immigration enforcement overall, what does this say about the current situation of how the federal government is handling this?
Assemblywoman Amy Paulin: Well, it’s clear to me something changed. Yeonsoo’s mom is a pastor and went from one responsibility to another within the same church, so essentially she changed jobs. That was the excuse given for the change in visa. That job change however was two years ago, and there had been several court appearances since that time, yet Yeonsoo and her mom were never detained until now.
Now if there’s any discrepancy or even if it’s an inadvertent mistake that is easily rectified, there’s an immediate jump to detainment. That’s a shift and a change – and one that is very unfair because not everyone is going to have a close-knit community who is going to rally around one person, or who will have important contacts and funders connected to very high up sources. We were very lucky in that way in this case. There are, as you say, many cases out there where people are not going have those resources to prevent deportation.
Jonathan Gordon: Assemblywoman Amy Paulin, thank you so much for joining the show.
