Surveys and Forums Yield Unexpected Insights Into Community Views on the Schools
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The results of community wide survey, forums and focus groups to identify the ideal characteristics of the district’s next superintendent formed a profile for the district’s next leader but also revealed surprising information about stakeholders perceptions of the Scarsdale Schools. Similar to an incidental finding of a medical test, the data shows what parents, students, faculty and staff desire for the next schools’ superintendent but also pointed out some perceived issues with the district today.
Deborah Raizes and Susan Guiney, from the search firm Hazard Young Attea Associates presented their report at the October 3 meeting of the Scarsdale School Board. Introducing the two, Board Vice President Ron Schulhof explained that this data will be explored. He said, “The survey data provides valuable feedback and insight for the Board and Administration into the views of each stakeholder group. While tonight we will discuss this information in relation to the Leadership Profile, this data is now available for the Board and administration to consider in relation to goals, priorities, and planning as part of future discussions.”
Raizes and Guiney were pleased with the input from the community saying it was the “largest (study) they had ever done.” In total 1,432 took the online survey and 252 participated in personal interviews, focus groups and forums.
The list of “desired characteristics” of the next superintendent are as much a wish list for a future leader as a reflection on the recent crisis experienced by the community under the eight year tenure of former Superintendent Thomas Hagerman.
According to the report, the community is looking for transparency, visibility, communication and trust building, all shown to be lacking in the survey. In fact, according to Raizes, some even asked that the new Superintendent “should know them by their name.”
Raizes unveiled the following list of qualities, saying, “This will be our marching orders as we look for the next superintendent.” These were determined by asking respondents to weight the importance of a list of leadership qualities. The outcome is shown below:
(From the report)
Desired Characteristics
The Scarsdale Union Free School District Board of Education seeks a strong educational leader who:
● Appreciates the culture of the Scarsdale Public Schools and rebuilds trust
● Engages the school community with excellent interpersonal skills
● Inspires others as a transformational leader
● Is a stellar communicator who is an active listener, makes people feel included,
respected, and is a confident and competent public speaker
● Is an innovative and creative academic visionary
● Is visible, approachable, accessible, and enjoys engaging with students, parents, faculty,
administrators and staff.
In addition to forming a leadership profile, respondents provided insight into what they believe are the strengths of the district. Summarizing these results, across all groups, here’s what emerged as consistent themes of the perceived strengths of the Scarsdale Schools:
● Academic excellence
● Ample resources for innovations in learning and to support educational excellence
● Commitment to professional learning and growth
-Scarsdale Teachers Institute (STI)
● Excellent faculty, administrators and staff who are caring and dedicated
● Parents are involved, committed and dedicated to the education of their children
● Students who think “it’s cool” to learn
● The business of Scarsdale is the schools - education is the heart of the community
However, the survey also highlighted issues and concerns around articulating a long term vision, diversity equity and inclusion, open communication, alignment of curriculum and values across grades and schools and a lack of trust.
Diving deeper into the data, the report details differences in the views of key stakeholder groups. The most telling can be seen on page 13 of the report where the views of each stakeholder group are graphed, illustrating a divergence of views among the administration faculty and staff from those of community members and students. You can read the 41 page report here:
For example, responses to a question about vision and values, only 40%-45% of community members with and without children in the schools as well as students believed that the district has “a clear and compelling vision for the future, alignment of programs to the broader vision and upholds high expectation for all stakeholders.” However, among faculty, support staff and the administration, the responses ranged affirmatively, from 75% - 90%.
To a question about community engagement, only 30%-40% of community members with and without children in the schools as well as students agreed that the community was engaged as a partner, that communication was transparent and that the district engages with diverse groups. The response to that question from faculty, support staff and the administration on community engagement was about 65%.
So clearly, the district has work to do on both addressing and correcting issues and perceptions as they also engage in the search for new leadership. Both Board VP Ron Schulhof and Interim Superintendent Drew Patrick acknowledged that the data will be studied. Patrick said, “Aside from the superintendent search, there is rich and deep information about our learning community. We will take a look and see how this information can inform the work of the district.”
Board of Ed member Jim Dugan asked Raizes and Guiney, “Did any of the results surprise you?” Raizes replied, “I was surprised by the rebuilding of trust – how much it was discussed, how much is it needed. Visibility was also important. Those two fit together with a good communicator. The angst that we heard was quite compelling.”
Guiney echoed some comments she heard …. “The outpouring of love for the community and the school district and pride in the schools … People returning to Scarsdale. Students are engaged in learning and want to be here – and want to be a part of the process. High schoolers want to share their ideas and have a hand in the process.”
During public comments, a few community members offered thoughts on the search.
Diana Cohen of Duck Pond Road asked the district to search for a leader with a vision. She said, “When people are asked why they moved to Scarsdale, “They don’t say the commute to the city is great and they have a honest superintendent. That should be a given. We need someone who can set the vision and bring everyone along with them. If your boyfriend cheats on you – you don’t pick the next boyfriend just because he doesn’t cheat. We need to think about the long term.”
Mayra Kirkendall Rodriguez from Fox Meadow Road said, “Thanks to everyone involved. There is a tremendous amount of useful information in the appendices. Will these numbers be fleshed out? There are big differences in how teachers and administrators responded vs. parents and students. Is there a plan to hash this out? Will you address areas of discontent? How will the Board follow up with the administration?”
Jennifer Zola of Carstensan Road thanked the Board for the survey. About the forum she attended she said, “There was a lot of heartfelt emotion in the room.” She continued, “On page 14 of the study it lists the top four priorities of each group. The faculty input should be weighted as they know the school inside out. Most of the dots did align.”
Detailing the next steps in the process, Board President Amber Yusuf said the board will meet with the consultants again on October 24 and in November as they prepare for multiple interviews in December. The Board will continue to send out Superintendent search updates as appropriate.
Scarsdale Girls Varsity A Tennis Team Sets the Bar High
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Natalie Hu, Giana Marks and Maya CukiermanIt doesn’t get much better than winning the state tennis championship at the USTA Tennis Center. That’s what the Scarsdale Girls Varsity Tennis team did in November, 2021, the first state championship for the team under the leadership of Coach Jennifer Roane who has coached the girls for 27 years.
So what’s the goal for the 2022 team? Do they dare to think they can do it again?
This year the team has 10 returning members and 5 freshman and sophomores who are new to the team.
Standout singles players, Natalie Hu and Giana Marks are dominating the courts on every match and they have been joined by freshman Katie Kendall, who has taken on third singles and is doing well. In the September 14 match vs. Fox Lane, Hu, Marks and Kendall all won 8-0.
Senior Maya Cukierman, who played singles last year, has now moved over to play first doubles with freshman Emma Ha. We saw the two play Fox Lane on Wednesday September 14, and they scored a 8-0 victory.
In second doubles, Campbell Alin and Jalyn Ryu won 8-3, third doubles team Carly Alin and Kay Cottrell won 8-0 and playing fourth doubles Hyunjin Lee and Olivia Sun also won 8-0.
On other days, Maya Vora is paired with Yelena Sahakyan and make a strong team.
To date, the team is undefeated in both league and non-league matches, beating Ursuline, Bronxville and Horace Greeley 7-0 and Horace Mann 6-1. For the weekend of September 10, the team was invited to a tournament at Half Hollow Hills East in Long Island where they beat Half Hollow Hills East, Hackley and Harrison. Their match against Port Washington was called due to rain, but when officials counted the total games played in the tournament, Scarsdale emerged the winner.
The girls are psyched and have set the bar high. Their mascot, Ace the bear, is circulated around school on game days, and is clearly bringing them good luck.
The tennis team is just one of Scarsdale’s varsity teams that is undefeated. Athletic Director Ray Pappalardi looked jubilant when we ran into him on Butler Field last week. Scarsdale is back, athletics is back and the tennis team is just one of Scarsdale’s teams experiencing a stellar season.
SHS Class of 2023 Chalks It Up
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The SHS Class of 2023 opened the year with a spirited Chalk Day, or Chalk morning, when they gathered at the Brewster Road entrance at 7 am on September 14 to decorate the entrance with colorful chalk drawings.
Principal Bonamo with Dean ThompsonSporting T-Shirts that read, 23NIORS, kids were down on the ground creating original works and enjoying the camaraderie.
We saw drawings featuring, “Respect Your Elders,” “Here’s 2 N3ever growing up,” and ”Time Flies,’ plus many more depictions of friends group names such as the whale and the rat, and more celebrating the students time at SHS.
Take a look at the Class of 2023 displaying their artistic talent.
Andrea O'Gorman, Oren Iosepovici and Kristen Kerrigan
Sleepy Students: Should School Start Later?
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School opens this week, and for many kids, that means they will be getting fewer hours of sleep. The first bell at Scarsdale High School rings at 7:55 am, and students who take the bus or drive to school need to leave home no later than 7:30 am.
A 2019 study by the CDC found that only 22% of teens are getting the recommended eight hours of sleep and lack of sleep contributes to a host of teen issues including the risk of obesity, drinking alcohol, smoking tobacco and using drugs. Furthermore, children and adolescents who do not get enough sleep have a higher risk of poor mental health and problems with attention and behavior leading to poor academic performance.
As we emerge out of the COVID crisis, mental health issues are at the forefront. In fact, the district hired four additional mental health professionals this year to address rising needs. Is it time for the Scarsdale Schools to reconsider school opening times?
Rather than opening school later, in 2017 School Superintendent Thomas Hagerman extended the school day, and started school five minutes earlier in the morining. A total of 75 minutes more per week were added to the high school schedule. The move was controversial at the time and drew complaints from the PTA, the Scarsdale High School Compact Committee as well as parents and students. Speaking for the SHS Wellness Committee, Eileen Donovan said, "There is a high level of rigor at the high school.... We don't need more rigor." She called the new schedule "a regressive plan to keep kids in chairs for 75 more minutes," and said that the kids were, "pawns in a negotiation between the administration and teachers."
The Scarsdale Board of Education last reviewed this issue of opening times in November 2019 when some Board members wanted further study of the issue while others were concerned about logistics and overburdening the staff. At the time School Superintendent Dr. Hagerman said, “the research is clear on the benefits of sleep,” but he raised the concern that later start times could affect working parents, student transportation and the after-school sports program.” Board Vice President Pam Fuehrer felt that the district had other priorities at the time and was concerned about the existing workload for the administration and the board who were engaged in collective bargaining and the implementation of the strategic plan. She said she saw this as a wellness issue.
Now three years later, the state of California passed a law that requires all public high schools to start no earlier than 8:30 am. About the initiative, California State Senator Anthony Portantino said, “Establishing a time before which schools should not begin mandated instruction is as fundamental as requiring schools to turn on the heat when the temperature falls below a certain level. Local districts would still set their own hours; they need only meet the minimum 'no earlier than' start time that’s proven to be essential to students’ well-being. It’s time for an evidence-based, sound policy discussion that prioritizes student health and achievement. Teaching adolescents at a time they cannot effectively learn is an ineffective use of public funds and undermines our children’s health and their chances for success today and in the future."
In Seattle, the public school schedule was shifted in 2016, adjusting the opening time of high school from 7:50 am to 8:45.
In New York State, a similar bill was introduced in the state assembly and senate in August 2021. The bill, which was sponsored by Assemblyman Harvey Epstein a Democrat who represents lower Manhattan, would bar state aid for any school starting before 8:30 am. The rationale for the bill is as follows:
"Analysis by the New York State School Boards Association found that two-thirds of high schools start the school day before eight a.m. According to the Centers for Disease Control, early school start times can pose health risks to adolescents, including being overweight, drinking alcohol, smoking tobacco, and using drugs. Studies have also shown that the academic performance of sleep-deprived students suffers.
The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that middle and high schools start no earlier than eight-thirty a.m. to ensure that students aged thirteen to eighteen are receiving the eight to ten hours of sleep recommended by doctors. California enacted legislation in 2019 to mandate high school start times no earlier than 8:30; several states are currently studying the effects of beginning school later. This legislation would add New York to the list of states taking action to prevent adolescent health issues caused by lack of sleep.”
Similar bills are under consideration in New Jersey, Massachusetts, Texas, and the US Virgin Islands.
Should Scarsdale study the issue?
Michelle Sterling, a mother of two teenaged girls in Scarsdale says we need to re-examine the schedule, saying, “Sleep is so important. I think that anything we can do to help kids get more rest would be beneficial - both to their educational experience and even more importantly to their overall well-being.”
School Board Pledges Transparency: Patrick Says District Expects a Full Refund from the IRS
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(Updated August 25, 2022) Transparency and open dialogue were the themes of the first meeting of the 2022-23 Scarsdale School Board who convened for an extra early meeting before the opening of the school year on September 6, 2022.
After a school year marked by subversion and secrecy that ultimately resulted in the early resignation of the superintendent and sanctions against other administrators, newly elected Board President Amber Yusuf’s first words were to convey the Board’s commitment to transparency, open communication and oversight.
She referred to the tax matter, in which the district had been assessed penalties fines and a lien for mistakes in the payment of withholding taxes and also referred to an upcoming report from Nawrocki Smith LLP who were retained to conduct an audit of the district’s withholding procedures. She also vowed to conduct a transparent search for Scarsdale’s next Superintendent of Schools.
Interim Superintendent Andrew Patrick echoed these themes in his update on the IRS issue, which appears to be almost totally resolved.
Here is his statement:
First, regarding the District’s Q1 2020 Form 843 request for abatement and claim for refund, the District did receive a check from the IRS in July 2022 in the amount of $744,196.44. Of this amount, $714,168.71 represents penalties that had been abated in full and $30,027.73 represents the payment of interest owed by the IRS to the District.
Next, regarding the District’s Q3 2020 Form 843 request for abatement and claim for refund, the District has been notified by the IRS that a refund in the amount of $100,243.55, representing penalties that have been abated is due to the District. The District’s tax attorneys are continuing to follow up with the IRS on the status of that refund check.
Therefore, once the District receives this remaining $100,243.55 refund check from the IRS, the District will have recovered and received abatements and refunds of penalties in the substantial amount of $844,000, which is essentially a full offset of the $843,558 Q4 2020 tax payment that that Board authorized on March 30, 2022 and that the District paid to the IRS shortly thereafter.
The District has been notified by the IRS Independent Office of Appeals that all penalties assessed and interest associated therewith in Q4 2020, totaling approximately $534,000, have been fully abated, the Collection Due Process hearing is now complete, and the lien against the District should self-release within approximately 30 days.
Finally, the penalty assessed against the District in Q2 2021, in the amount of $412,837.45 plus applicable interest has been abated in full.
Thus, once the District receives the Q3 2020 $100,243.55 refund check from the IRS, the District will have recovered and/or abated substantially all of the approximately $1.8M in penalties and interest assessed against it.
Patrick was also pleased to report that the district has recovered $985,000 of a $1.2 million health claim that had not been submitted in time for reimbursement. He said:
You may recall that we discussed the negative claims experience of our self-insured plan during the 2021-22 school year at our June 21 Board meeting. At that time, I described a stop-loss eligible claim from the prior plan year in the amount of $1.2 million that did not get submitted in time to be eligible for stop loss reimbursement. With the help of our plan consultant, I am pleased to report that we did get reimbursed for this claim in the amount of $985,387.93, which represents the full amount minus the deductible. While this is good financial news, it is important to recognize that the number and size of stop loss claims will mean we should expect higher premiums for stop loss insurance this year.
Taken together, the district will recover almost $2.8 million, which should bolster their fund balance.
Next Patrick announced that a new item on the Board agenda was brief updates from each of the Cabinet members to keep the Board and the public up to date and to signal upcoming work. He said, “this will be done on a trial basis,” pending feedback from the Board.
Cabinet Reports
Superintendent of Facilities Stuart Mattey reported on summer work around the district, saying, “The last of the 2018 bond projects are wrapping up.” He mentioned ventilation work at Quaker Ridge and the high school and a boiler unit replacement at Heathcote. However, he was disappointed to report that the air conditioning of the Heathcote gym could not be completed because the delivery of the ventilation unit was delayed. He said the wiring would be done so that the unit could be installed as soon as it comes in and that gym classes could be held outside in September. Patrick added that the gym would be used while the school awaits the unit.
About the renovation of the high school auditorium, Mattey said a committee has met and is considering a full scale renovation of the space. This work would be funded either in the 2023-24 school budget or with a separate bond offering.
About food service, he said that food service workers are currently being hired and that elementary school hot lunches will be phased in during the first weeks of school with the goal of having the full lunch program available by the end of September. Meal prices have increased about 5-10% due to the increase in food and paper costs.
As to transportation, Mattey said, “The buses are ready to roll.”
Interim Assistant Superintendent for Human Resources Carol Priore indicated that there are still openings at the district, saying, “We are completing last minute hiring.” She did not indicate how many positions were still open. Priore said, “New teacher orientation will be held on Monday 8-29 and Tuesday 8-30.”
Assistant Superintendent Eric Rauschenbach provided information about funding for special education, COVID guidelines and safety and security.
He reported that the district had completed IDEA (IDEA, Individuals with Disabilities Education Act) grant applications and received funding for preschool grants ($25,000) and funding for school age students ($932,000) to underwrite “summer CSE work, professional development and services across all seven buildings.”
He reported that the district “received COVID guidelines from the state today that mirror the CDC guidelines” and require “5 days of isolation for confirmed positive cases.”
He added:
-Quarantine is no longer expected.
-There is no differentiation (in requirements) between vaccinated and unvaccinated individuals.
-The district will continue to give out tests as long as the state provides them.
-The district is finalizing their procedures for testing before returning to school.
-If you are exposed but not positive, you no longer need to quarantine.
About the spread, Rauschenbach, said, “Westchester and New York State are in the moderate category of community spread – it has stayed constant throughout the summer.”
Safety and Security
Rauschenbach said, “Work has started for installing our lockdown system to be integrated with our computer system. There is a delay in getting the equipment. These will have to be installed during vacation when the buildings are not occupied. It depends on when the integration panels come in.” He expected it to go live in the spring, after staff and student training. He added, “Training starts tomorrow for the police department for online camera access.”
Superintendent Search
Amber Yusuf and Ron Schulhof discussed the search process for the next Superintendent.
Board VP Ron Schulhof explained that the first phase will be to conduct extensive focus groups and that 40 focus groups are planned with parents, faculty, community and liaison partners and village partners. The focus groups will be run by one of the two search consultants and the input from the focus groups and survey results will be used to develop a search profile.
Board member Suzie Hahn Pascutti discussed the communication plan for the search. She said, “In the next few days a letter will be sent to the entire school community about steps and the timeline for the search. Personalized invitations will go out to participate in the focus groups and there will be open forums for all members of the community and for the faculty and staff. There will be a survey for community members to provide their input. Many of the survey questions will be similar to those discussed at the focus groups. The survey will be available in English, Spanish, Mandarin and Portuguese. There will also be updates about the search posted on the district’s website.”
Yusuf concluded by saying, “We hope to announce our candidate in the spring. We are dedicated to finding an exceptional superintendent.”
Telecommunications Letter
Schulhof drafted a letter to the Scarsdale Village Board on partnering with them to address the gaps in cell service around the village, prioritizing school areas and keeping the school board informed on issues surrounding cell coverage. After a discussion, there was agreement that the full Board of Education should sign the letter, and the board later passed a resolution to do so. Read the full letter here:
FOIL Requests
Another resolution was passed that maintains the full board of education as the foil appeals officer contrary to a recommendation from the Board’s attorney that the interim superintendent assume this role.
Security Contract
The Board voted yes to a new agreement with Aarow Security to provide safety monitors for the schools. The district was formerly using Summit Security – who was purchased by Allied Security. Rauschenbach reported that Allied had poor customer service, billing errors and made incorrect payment to the monitors. The district searched for other vendors and recommended going with Aarow under the same terms. Aarow has agreed to hire the current monitors and the district expects better customer service, back office response and hopes Aarow will have better relationships with their own safety monitors. He cautioned that fees would rise as the prevailing wage has gone up.
New Textbooks
Assistant Superintendent Edgar McInstosh reviewed new textbooks. “This Book is Anti-Racist,” will be added to the seventh grade social studies curriculum. McIntosh said, “The book is student friendly and builds on the identity work being done.”
The tenth grade skills class will read, “Unwind,” a dystopian fantasy written in 2017.
A new book for Latin classes, “Suburani,” which includes Latin stories, language notes and civilization texts was approved. School Board member Jessica Resnick-Ault, who majored in Classics, asked if this book will help to prepare students for the AP curriculum and McIntosh pledged to confirm and respond to her.
Gifts
The Board accepted a gift of $15,112 from Maroon and White to purchase fitness equipment to upgrade the SHS Fitness Center. The equipment will benefit all students at SHS.
Public Comments
Joe Vaughn, President of the Scarsdale Teachers Association spoke online about the superintendent search selection and thanked the Board for including the staff in the process. He said, “The STA deeply appreciates the Board seeking wide input …. We welcome the manner in which the Board has decided to include us.”
He added, “The staff looks forward to meeting and greeting young learners in the coming weeks.”
In a discussion about adding the reports from Cabinet members to the Board agenda, Jessica Resnick-Ault said, “I think it is helpful for the public to hear the cabinet members prior to public comment. I think it would be good for the Board to be able to ask questions of the cabinet members before public comment…. – I would have liked to ask Carol how many vacancies we have left to fill before the start of the school year.”
Patrick said, “this was supposed be informational.”
Ron Schulhof asked, “Can you include the cabinet updates in the agenda that is released on the prior Friday? I really like these updates.”
Board President Amber Yusuf said, “We do have to be sure we let the public comment early on in the meeting.”
Watch the meeting here:
