Scarsdale School Board Solicits Community Feedback on Capital Projects for 2026 Bond Referendum
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(Updated 10-9) At their meeting on Monday October 6th, the Scarsdale Board of Education continued its in-depth review of a proposed capital projects bond during its latest meeting, outlining public engagement plans, key facility priorities, and financial strategies as the district prepares for a community vote next year.
Superintendent Dr. Drew Patrick emphasized that no final decisions have been made, noting that the district remains in a “learning and discussion phase.” The bond proposal, estimated at $96 million, would address infrastructure needs across all seven schools while leveraging the decline in debt service projected after the 2026–27 school year.
The steering committee has identified $96 million in potential projects. However a tax neutral bond would at $40 mm leaving the BOE and larger community with some challenging decisions before them.
Public Feedback and Engagement
The district has launched a dedicated bond website — scarsdaleschools.org/bond2026 — to provide access to presentations, reports, and updates.
Two public information sessions are planned:
October 16 at 7 p.m. at Scarsdale High School
November 6 at 7 p.m. via Zoom
Community members will be invited to review proposed projects for each building, speak directly with administrators and consultants, and complete an online feedback survey.
Understanding the Bond
Assistant Superintendent for Business Andrew Lennon provided a “Bond 101” overview to clarify terminology and the relationship between annual budgets, capital appropriations, and bond financing. He explained that the bond would fund long-term, large-scale projects—such as building systems and additions that cannot be completed through annual budgets.
A “tax-neutral” bond would be approximately $40 million, offset by retiring debt and state building aid. Since the total project scope may exceed that. Lennon noted that each additional $10 million in project cost would add roughly $100 per year to the average homeowner’s tax bill. See the slides to the presentation here.
Key Projects and Facility Needs
A major focus of the proposal is the replacement of outdated building management systems (BMS) that control heating and cooling across the district. Many current systems rely on obsolete pneumatic or digital components that can only be repaired with refurbished parts. Upgrading to a unified, modern BMS is seen as both an efficiency and equity measure.
Projects also include roof replacements, HVAC upgrades, classroom renovations, and accessibility improvements. The board reaffirmed that all Priority One items in the Building Condition Survey—those tied to health, safety, or end-of-life systems—are slated for inclusion.
Deferred Additions at Edgewood and the Middle School
Two major building expansions were discussed but not recommended for inclusion in this bond cycle:
-A new cafeteria building at Scarsdale Middle School, which could cost between $15 million and $36 million, depending on design.
-An addition featuring new kindergarten classrooms and a multipurpose room at Edgewood Elementary School.
Dr. Patrick said both ideas remain valid for future consideration but were deferred based on overall district needs and enrollment uncertainty. The district has commissioned a demographic and redistricting study, expected by November, to guide future planning.
Fiscal Responsibility and Ratings
Board members also discussed balancing facility needs with maintaining Scarsdale’s AAA bond rating from Moody’s Investors Service. Lennon said the proposed scope is designed to sustain that rating and ensure long-term financial stability.
Next Steps
The board will review community input from the October 16 session at its October 27 meeting, and updated cost estimates and a refined project list will be presented November 17. If approved by the board, the bond proposal could go to voters in early 2026.
Board President Jim Dugan closed the session by emphasizing transparency and continued dialogue saying, “This process is about listening, refining, and ensuring that what we put forward truly reflects the district’s priorities and the community’s vision.”
Public Comment
During the Public Comment portion of the meeting two people spoke advocating for the district to revisit the proposed allocation for Edgewood in the upcoming capital projects bond, saying the current plan “does not meet our school’s basic spatial needs.”
Speaking on behalf of the Edgewood PTA, one parent—an architect and former PTA president—said Edgewood families are “fully supportive of a districtwide bond,” but believe the $6.2 million currently earmarked for their school falls far short of what’s needed to address overcrowding and preserve program quality.
Edgewood’s PTA recently formed a committee dedicated to advocacy on the bond proposal. According to the speaker, none of the Edgewood parents who served on the district’s Capital Projects Steering Committee support the current plan. The group emphasized that without new classrooms, special education programs could be displaced and “specials” like music and Spanish could be forced onto carts, reducing the quality of instruction.
Dr. Patrick later responded, thanking them for their input and stated that their feedback was valuable and will be considered in the process.
School Board Recognition Week
At the start of Monday’s BOE meeting, Dr. Patrick also announced that October 13-17 is School Board Recognition Week, and recognized the seven board members and two student representatives for their extensive, often unseen work—ranging from committee service and policy review to community engagement and professional development. Their efforts were described as vital to maintaining strong connections between the community and educators, supporting the district’s mission to nurture well-balanced, purposeful, and joyful learners.
In appreciation, each board member received a certificate from NYSSBA and a symbolic gift—a pumpkin—representing the rewards of their hard work in cultivating learning and growth throughout the district.
Board Updates
During Board Member Updates, Colleen Brown (The BOE liaison to the Safe Coalition) announced the upcoming Unity Day on Wednesday, October 22, a national event founded in 2011 by PACER’s National Bullying Prevention Center. Brown explained that Unity Day promotes kindness, acceptance, and inclusion while raising awareness about bullying.
People nationwide are encouraged to wear orange, a color symbolizing visibility, safety, and unity, to show support for those affected by bullying and to reaffirm a shared commitment to creating respectful, inclusive environments. The Safe Coalition, dedicated to preventing violence in schools and communities, invited everyone to participate in this year’s Unity Day initiative to demonstrate that “we are stronger when we stand together.”
Student BOE member Anish Mehta, reported positive results from the new Scarsdale High School phone policy, implemented at the start of this school year. Under the updated rule, phones are now confiscated rather than just warned about, leading to a noticeable decline in phone use in hallways and common areas. Mehta noted that the policy’s deterrent effect appears to be working, similar to past initiatives like “Off and Away for the Day,” as students are adjusting and finding the system effective.
Lucy Eisenberg also shared highlights from attending the Round Square International Conference in Dubai, where Scarsdale High School was the only public school represented among more than 280 member schools worldwide. The conference emphasized service, environmentalism, and adventure, bringing together students from diverse countries to foster cross-cultural understanding and leadership. The student described it as a meaningful and inspiring experience, offering new perspectives on global collaboration and climate action.
Upcoming Meetings
Additionally, it was announced that two board coffees are planned for community engagement. School Board Recognition Week was acknowledged, highlighting the extensive, unseen work board members do, including training, committee service, and community liaison. Board members were thanked with certificates and a symbolic pumpkin, symbolizing the cultivation of education in Scarsdale schools.
For all the details of Monday night’s BOE meeting see here.
SHS Raiders Roll in 50–0 Homecoming Victory
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Scarsdale lit up under the Friday night lights on Friday September 26th, when the Raiders delivered a spectacular 50–0 win over the Suffern Mounties, turning Homecoming into a full-blown celebration. After a loss the week before, the Raiders bounced back in style with this huge win, Scarsdale improving to 2–1, while Suffern fell to 0–4, in continuation of their losing streak.
The festivities began earlier that evening with a free pizza party hosted by the SHS Student Government in the Learning Commons for freshmen and sophomore students. About 60 students turned out to enjoy the music, good vibes, and free pizza, setting the celebratory tone for the rest of the night.
Outside, the two ice cream trucks parked near the Brewster entrance, one serving soft serve and the other offering classic ice pops and frozen treats. Nearby barbecue stands served $4 hot dogs as families, students, and alumni gathered to enjoy a late night snack under the evening sky. Fans browsed the maroon-and-white merch stall, picking up Raider gear to show their school spirit as the Raiders played on.
The bleachers were filled with a mix of SHS students, young kids, proud parents, and even visiting friends from nearby schools, all decked out in red, white, and blue to support the Scarsdale team. The cheerleaders brought incredible energy to the sidelines, keeping the crowd hyped and adding to the electric atmosphere.
The football game was a celebration of Scarsdale’s pride, tradition, and community. From free pizza to ice cream cones, touchdowns to team spirit, Homecoming 2025 was a night no one will forget.
BOE Reviews Capital Project Steering Committee Recommendations for Spring 2026 Bond Referendum
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At the Board of Education meeting on Monday, September 15th, BOE members heard a comprehensive presentation from the Capital Project Steering Committee, outlining preliminary recommendations for a potential 2026 bond referendum. The proposed scope of work reflects six months of study, collaboration, and debate among educators, administrators, architects, engineers, parents, and community members.
The committee was convened last spring with a clear mandate: evaluate building conditions, review educational program needs, and identify capital priorities to sustain and improve district facilities. The work was guided by Scarsdale’s strategic plan, with a focus on long-term sustainability, safe learning environments, and equity across schools.
Key principles from the presentation, emphasized that:
-Student learning should drive investment decisions.
-Facilities upkeep is an ongoing responsibility requiring both annual budget support and periodic bond financing.
-Stakeholder engagement must be continuous and iterative.
-Long-range financial planning should shape all capital decisions.
The committee members also pointed out that Scarsdale maintains more than 978,000 square feet of facilities, including seven school buildings, some nearing 100 years old. To manage these assets, the district uses a mix of maintenance budgets, capital appropriations, and bond financing.
They additionally made note that current debt service is set to decline in 2027–28, creating an opportunity to fund roughly $40 million in new capital projects without increasing the tax levy. This “tax-neutral” figure became a reference point for the committee, though the preliminary proposal now totals approximately $96 million—an amount that would add an estimated $560 annually to the average homeowner’s tax bill.
Four Priority Categories of Work
After nine meetings, site visits, and extensive deliberation, the committee identified four categories of projects:
Infrastructure (Building Condition Survey)
Estimated cost: $33.5 million
Prioritized health, safety, and code compliance items (e.g., HVAC, roofing, plumbing, fire safety).
Air Conditioning
Estimated cost: $12 million
Focus on cooling gyms, auditoriums, libraries, and multipurpose rooms, along with Heathcote’s classrooms, reflecting both climate realities and community expectations.
Fields
Estimated cost: $5.7 million
Includes turf replacement at Scarsdale Middle School and new multipurpose/softball fields at Fox Meadow.
Spatial Renovations & New Constructio
Estimated cost: $44.4 million
Major updates for Fox Meadow and Edgewood elementary schools, targeted classroom renovations, a reconfigured Heathcote library, and selective improvements at Scarsdale High School and the middle school.
Community Considerations and Next Steps
In this preliminary recommendation, the committee emphasized equity, recommending that infrastructure and air conditioning work should be spread across all schools, while spatial renovations should focus first on schools with the greatest needs.
The committee also made clear that questions remain regarding enrollment boundaries, the placement of special education programs, and food service facilities. They related that a demographic study is underway, and further community engagement will shape the final bond proposal.
After the presentation, BOE members expressed appreciation for the committee’s work, while also raising concerns about balancing transformative projects—like a possible new cafeteria at the middle school—with the realities of cost. During the lengthy discussion, several members also urged caution about investing in “status quo” renovations that might limit flexibility for future reconfiguration.
The Board will continue discussions this fall, with the goal of refining the project scope and determining whether to move forward with a bond referendum in Spring 2026.
During the Public Comment portion of the meeting, Mayra Kirkendall Rodriguez, Co-Chair of the PTC budget committee, along with Rachana Singh, addressed the community to introduce themselves and emphasize the importance of parental involvement in the budget process and capital projects. They highlighted their roles as parents and professionals in financial risk and business, encouraging community members to engage with the budget and bond proposals. The Co-Chairs plan to analyze the district's proposals, work with budget liaisons, and address questions about committee composition, taxpayer income, school equity, and the bond's tax neutrality. They also mentioned having 30 questions prepared for further discussion.
The board also highlighted the importance of community engagement and the need for clear communication about the project's impact and financial implications. They considered several approaches to ensuring communication and garnering feedback from all constituents such as combining bond discussions with regular coffee meetings.
Details from the presentations slideshow can be found here.
Class of 2026 Chalks it Up
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Undeterred by the 7am start time, excited students from the class of 2026 arrived at school bright and early on Tuesday morning eager to take part in Scarsdale High School’s “Senior Chalking” event. The annual event has become a favorite tradition among senior students which allows them to “leave their mark” at the steps of the Brewster Rd. entrance.
Dressed in their 2026 class t-shirts, students worked and collaborated with classmates to cover the walkway with gorgeous artwork, sweet messages, and even a few inside jokes born from years of shared experiences.
Through the laughter and music that filled the air, friends could be overheard reminiscing about their elementary school days and all the memories that have been made throughout their time in the Scarsdale School District. One student even credited their Fox Meadow art teacher with instilling a life-long love for art…which could be clearly seen in their incredible chalk art.
The decades-old event, organized by the Student Government and their Senior Advisors, even had SHS Principal Ken Bonamo, Superintendent Dr. Drew Patrick, and other faculty and administrators stopping by to admire the creative chalkings.
One of the first of many “senior year” traditions, the beautiful morning set the tone for a year full of many more wonderful memories to be made.
Students Join School Board, District Signs EV Bus Contract and More from the Scarsdale Schools
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Monday, August 25th was a busy day for the Scarsdale School District. Not only did it have faculty and teachers returning to their classrooms for the first official school day of the 2025-2026 school year, but later that evening the Board of Education convened for a business meeting where they discussed topics like new hires, a brief education report, and consent agenda items such as an approved contract with Highland Electric Fleets.
To kick off the meeting, both BOE President James Dugan and Superintendent Dr. Drew Patrick, extended a warm welcome to new faculty members, highlighted events such as new student orientations, and expressed their gratitude for the hard work that took place over the summer in preparation for the start of the new school year. You can read more from Mr. Dugan here and from Dr. Patrick here.
In their second official BOE meeting, Student Board members Anish Mehta and Lucy Eisenberg described their ideas for improving communication between the Board of Education and the student body at Scarsdale High School. Mehta discussed the possibility of utilizing mediums such as the school newspaper and homeroom videos to share information, raise awareness, and to collect student feedback.
In his Cabinet Update, Dr. Edgar McIntosh shared a brief Education Report that highlighted how Scarsdale teachers and faculty were actively engaged in program improvement over the summer, focusing on three main areas: collaborative work to align practices and grading across grades and departments, updates to existing curriculum materials and assessments, and the creation of new courses and performance assessments.
McIntosh also stated, “This year's educational reports will highlight how we are adapting our practices and priorities to better serve our students now and in the future. Both short cabinet updates and detailed reports will show how ongoing assessments and research guide our evidence based changes. Education reports will align with our strategic plan of Living, Leading and Learning.”
Going forward, the Board will be informed of Education Report topics in advance of the next meeting. Dr. McIntosh related, “For the next Board of Education Meeting, in my cabinet update, I'll be focused on the updates to elementary math resources, focusing on benchmark assessments at every grade, language, and formatting modifications for early grades and K-5 enrichment strategies.”
In addition to announcing that former Scarsdale High School head custodian, Luis Magalhaes, will be appointed the position of Assistant Director of Facilities, Assistant Superintendent for Human Resources Meghan Troy, welcomed and introduced several new hires to the Scarsdale School District. You can see the complete list of new faculty appointments in Troy’s Personnel Report here.
Later in the meeting Andrew Lennon, Assistant Superintendent for Business, provided a brief overview of the District’s new contract with Highland Electric Fleets. In the overview he described an eight-year agreement with Highland Electric Fleets for electric bus charging infrastructure, funded partly by $800,000 in EPA grants.
As is also stated in his report: “The New York State Zero-Emission Bus mandate requires all new school bus purchases to be zero-emissions beginning in 2027 and the entire fleet to be zero-emissions by 2037. As part of the 2023-2024 budget, the Board of Education funded a Transportation Study to assist the district in planning for this transition. The Transportation Study was completed by Highland Fleets and presented to the Board in October 2024. Highland also assisted the District with the successful application to the United State Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) which awarded the district $800,000 towards four (4) electric school buses. Additionally, the Board authorized the District’s internal auditor, Nawrocki Smith, LLP to perform an Focus Audit of the transportation operations to further help with long term planning and improvement.
As part of the 2025-2026 Budget, the district proposed and the voters approved the funding for an 8-year agreement to partner with a firm to design, procure, install and manage all infrastructure required to charge 4 electric vehicles. The district has been in negotiations with Highland Electric Fleets to provide these services and we are prepared to recommend the contract for approval this evening.”
Of course these are only a few of the highlights discussed at Monday night’s meeting. To watch the full BOE meeting see here.
