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Written by: Joanne Wallenstein

Published: 21 August 2019

Created: 21 August 2019

Last Updated: 06 May 2020

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Dear Editor:
At Scarsdale Security, we value our connection with the community and our participation in Village life. This year, we are proud to be one of the sponsors of the Scarsdale Community Calendar, compiled and distributed by the Scarsdale Council of Parent-Teacher Associations. These calendars correspond with the school year (September through August) and include all school closings and events, as well as community meetings and information related to village organizations. A telephone directory for the school district, local government, village services and community organizations is also included in the calendar.

As a sponsor, Scarsdale Security has a supply of calendars available for distribution at no cost to you. If you would like a calendar, please contact our office’s outreach liaison at 722-2323.

We look forward to serving you – not only as the northeast’s premier boutique for security, fire, camera and home automation systems – but also as your neighbor. Together, we all make our community a great place to call home.

Very truly yours,
David Raizen
President, Scarsdale Security Systems, Inc.
132 Montgomery Avenue
Scarsdale, NY 10583
914-722-2323

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Written by: Joanne Wallenstein

Published: 30 July 2019

Created: 30 July 2019

Last Updated: 30 July 2019

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At the July 11 meeting of the Board of Education, while offering a report on facilities updates, Assistant Superintendent Stuart Mattey discussed a puzzling finding at the high school.

He revealed that while excavating the foundation of the high school to install new boilers, workers came upon a surprise.

Mattey said, “There’s a little bit of a glitch with that project which probably will result in a change order. In digging out the area where the boilers will go they hit some heavy metals that we are having tested. It’s going to require some abatement. We weren’t expecting that and we believe it’s left over from decades and decades ago and it’s baffling.”

We followed up with the district to learn more, and after several attempts we received this explanation from the district:

“In preparing the High School boiler room for boiler replacement, four areas were dug out, and some heavy metals deposits (lead, barium, arsenic, and cadmium) were discovered in those areas and in an unused chimney structure in the room. These areas will require abatement. A remediation plan has been prepared. Boiler replacement will be delayed until abatement is complete. The origins of this material are unknown; however, their location poses no risk of exposure to students.”

Following new procedures, the district has been posting their environmental testing reports on the district website. They are now publishing the results of air quality, water and radiation testing on a regular basis and you can see the reports here.

This year the district hired a new environmental testing firm, Louis Berger and some of the reports are not easy to interpret for a layman. However, for those who are interested, you can find several new environmental reports that were done this year.

Testing was done at the following locations:

A July 28 report documents the result of an electromagnetic field assessment done at Scarsdale High School prompted by staff members “proximity to an adjacent electrical room and potential non-ionizing radiation exposure resulting from the equipment." The testing was done on July 16, 2019. The data did not indicate a hazard from the electrical and communications equipment in the office.

This month at the district offices, the Central Office Copy Room was tested and “a small section of mold impacted drywall was observed.” Air quality testing was done. Read the report here.

Testing was done in Room 299 at Scarsdale High School in response to a staff member “experiencing musty odors, headaches and a sore throat. See the report here.

In April, testing was done in Room 24 of Edgewood School in response to a staff member experiencing “respiratory irritation suspected to be from poor air quality in this area of the school.” See the report here.

A report dated April 7 was a follow up to a mold remediation project done at Edgewood in the east egress hallway. The remediation was performed on April 5 when contaminated material, debris and unrestorable contents were removed and surfaces were cleaned. See the results here.

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Written by: Joanne Wallenstein

Published: 15 July 2019

Created: 15 July 2019

Last Updated: 15 July 2019

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Putting aside concerns expressed in a letter from the League of Women Voters about a potential conflict of interest, the Board of Education unanimously re-elected Scott Silberfein to serve as School Board President for another term while his wife, Joey Silberfein, serves as President of the district’s Parent Teacher Council.

The League’s letter reads as follows:
The League Board encourages local volunteerism and appreciates the fact that Board of Education members often have a history of active involvement in community-based organizations before they are elected to office.

As the Board of Education is currently in the process of determining its leadership for the 2019-20 year, the League Board would like to draw attention to the potential conflict of interest regarding Board of Education leadership and incoming PT Council leadership.

As the League studies and comments on conflict of interest issues in various aspects of local government, including the CNC and SBNC elections systems, as well as the process of the Village Board, the League Board encourages the Board of Education to publicly disclose any potential, real or perceived conflict, including this one. The League Board further encourages the Board of Education to self-regulate appropriately and adhere to the practice of discretionary recusal in the face of potential, real, or perceived conflicts of interest that stem from the activities of spouses and immediate family members who engage in local advocacy and have volunteer leadership roles in local organizations, boards, and councils. The League Board hopes that there is transparency and an awareness of this potential conflict, on the part of the Board of Education, as it goes through its process in the 2019-20 year.

In a discussion of the letter prior to the vote, Silberfein said that the Board received the League’s email and “wanted to make sure it was disclosed.” However, he said that he would “exercise recusal” if the PTC was giving a gift to the district and said that the district’s counsel had said there was no conflict of interest. He narrowed consideration of potential conflicts of interest to gift giving, failing to anticipate other issues in which the PTC’s views might be at odds with those of the Board.

By exercising recusal, both Mr. and Mrs. Silberfein could be put in a position where they cannot fully represent their constituencies or may compromise to avoid conflict.

The Board agreed with Silberfein and thanked both Scott and Joey for their service. Alison Singer said, “I think it is commendable that two members of the Silberfein family are willing to take on such big responsibilities within the district.” Chris Morin said, “I can’t think of any conflicts of interest. It is not an issue.” Carl Finger, “It was not a concern of mine. We are lucky to have people to serve.”

Following the discussion Silberfein was elected to serve as President and Pam Fuehrer as Vice President. It is anticipated that Silberfein will resign after six months and Fuehrer will assume the presidency.

Public Comments and Letters to the Board

The Board reviewed their policies regarding public comments and emails to the Board to decide if any changes to policies should be made. Last year they got rid of the time limits for comments at meetings and the consensus was that this was a change for the good and should be maintained.

Silberfein raised the question of including the entire text of the letters and emails sent to the Board in the agenda packet, instead of the brief summaries that are now provided.

Alison Singer suggested that the reading of the written comments should be moved forward in the agenda – and follow public comments so that Board members could hear the public’s views before they vote.

Ultimately the Board decided to be sensitive to people’s comments when planning the agenda so that comments could be read and public comments given before the board votes.

Discussion then turned to the publication of emails and letters to the Board in the agenda. Chris Morin spoke in favor of including the entire letters to the Board and responses in the agenda as done by the Village. Carl Finger asked, “Why should the letter not be included in the agenda? What is the hesitation?”

Alison Singer said, “Our goal is to elevate public comment. When people come to speak, they are televised. The parallel is that these letters should be published.”

Scott Silberfein raised the possibility of an “opt in” to permit their publication while Dr. Hagerman said, “There are confidentiality issues with letters about personnel matters. We would not print letters that should be redacted.”

Pam Fuehrer said, “Sometimes people want to vent or express their feelings to the Board – not necessarily publish these communications. Sometimes they want to let us know how they feel. I think Honoree’s (district clerk) summary puts in the content without using names. I am against full text. It would make it difficult for the person on the Board who responds.”

Ron Schulhof said, “I disagree that Honorees summaries are sufficient. They don’t explain why, or give all the reasons.” Karen Ceske said, “I have seen all sides – but I share Pam’s hesitancy. On the other hand, sitting in the audience, sometimes I have wondered what the comments were.”

Scott ended the discussion, saying, “We’ll talk to the lawyers and find out about the ramifications for having an opt in and printing the letter.”

Silberfein also raised the possibility of including the FOIL requests in the agenda so that people are aware of the types of FOILS the Board is receiving. Chris Morin said, “A decent number of the FOILS we get are burdensome – and not constructive, so I am not sure what we’re getting by this.” Alison Singer added, “We want to publish the comments to inform our deliberations, while the FOIL requests do not serve this purpose.” Carl Finger suggested that the Board provide quarterly updates on FOILS and on what it took to fulfill them.

The Board decided that for now, FOIL requests would not be included.

Watch the meeting here:

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Written by: Joanne Wallenstein

Published: 26 June 2019

Created: 26 June 2019

Last Updated: 27 June 2019

Hits: 8722

Who knows where the time goes? That was what was on the mind of many at the graduation of the SHS Class of 2019 on a sunny, warm June 26 morning. Senior Class President Benjamin Klein told his 370 classmates, “It is crazy how far we’ve come, and how quickly time flew by”…. “We were fighting over crayons until high school, when we were fighting over parking spots.” He remembered a decade ago receiving an official Scarsdale School district email address containing the number “19” and asking the teacher for the significance of that number, only to learn that it was the year he would graduate.

Now that year has arrived, and 371 students, proud parents, grandparents, the faculty of Scarsdale High School, Principal Ken Bonamo, Superintendent Thomas Hagerman and School Board President Scott Silberfein gathered on Dean Field for the school’s 102nd commencement exercise.

The day portended to be a hot one, and this year the school was prepared. Video monitors of the proceedings SVAC was on hand with water for all.were set up in the Board of Education room and older residents were encouraged to watch from inside. Outside, many brought umbrellas to shield themselves from the sun – and the most coveted seats proved to be the farthest bleachers in the shade. We even spotted two onlookers in the stands wearing what they admitted were pajamas over their heads. SVAC was well-prepared and liberally distributed water bottles to all. Though the temperature soared to 88 degrees, the ceremony appears to have proceeded without any incidents.

Opening the ceremony, School Board President Scott Silberfein took his cue from the senior class play Bye Bye Birdei and spoke about “putting on a happy face.” He said, “Happiness should not be taken for granted …. Finding happiness is not easy but the pay off is huge.” He advised the graduating seniors to seek happiness in their lives and quoted the Dalai Lama who said, “Happiness Keeping cool with pajamas on their heads.is not ready made – it comes from your own actions.” He encouraged the grads to be flexible, saying “If you’re not happy with your major, change it. Study abroad … if you’re not happy in a relationship – take action.” He said, “These are choices we make everyday.” He offered parting words from Monica Geller of the television series “Friends”, who said, “Welcome to the real world, it sucks but you’re going to love it!”

Aidan Londa and Aliza Mehlman introduced Class Advisors Carol D’Angelo and Michael Egan who thanked the class for “making this year the best it could be.” Egan asked the students to look around and reflect on their parents and teachers who helped them along the say, and Ms. D’Angelo quoted Hemingway, saying, “It is good to have an end to journey toward, but it is the journey that matters in the end.”School Board President Scott Silberfein, Superintendent Thomas Hagerman, SHS Principal Ken Bonamo

The two then broke into song, doing their own version of “Telephone Hour” from Bye Bye Birdie singing “What’s the story morning glory. I heard they’re really cool
They got through without bail!”

Ishwar Mukherjee and Isabelle Riback expressed gratitude to everyone at SHS, including deans, secretaries, coaches, class advisor, the custodial and security staff who are the first to arrive and the last to leave, the youth outreach team, the nurses, librarians and technology staff, the lunch staff and finally to their teachers “who treated them as individuals – not just as students.”

Class co-treasurer Joey Lane introduced class president Ben Klein who said, “As we all know too well, graduating from Scarsdale High School is no tiptoe through the tulips. The work we’ve put in, the hours we’ve spent, the tests we thought we would fail but somehow found our way to pass -- what we’ve accomplished is truly something to be proud of.”… “Out there, in the real world, it may be hard to find ourselves... to find our places in society. But what will also be a challenge is Class President Ben Kleinremembering to be ourselves. Because being yourself, and living a life that fulfills you is the single most important thing one can do. Enjoy every minute. Because life is more precious than any of us know. He concluded, “As we each move forward in life, on our own path… no matter how good or bad things may seem at any given moment, nobody can take away the fact that we succeeded in one of the most rigorous and competitive high schools in the country. Scarsdale. Our home.”

Principal Ken Bonamo gave a reflective speech about being discerning readers and consumers of information. He noted that prior to the internet, only a handful of trusted and respected publishers could spread the news. He said, "If your book was picked up by Norton or Random House or a university press, or your article was printed by the New York Times or the Atlantic Monthly, then the typical reader could assume a certain quality, a veracity of facts, rigor in argumentation, even beauty of presentation." Though news was reliable, Bonamo noted that those without a publisher had a hard time disseminating their message and minority voices were underrepresented.

He said, “In the last twenty years this arrangement has been disrupted by the internet which makes publication and dissemination of ideas remarkably quick, easy, and inexpensive—in other words, accessible to all. Nearly anything can go viral—a blog post, a tweet, or a video—thus allowing the most popular ideas to spread the fastest without having to pass muster with a censor or a fact-checker or a stodgy old editor of a publishing house or a newspaper."

He continued, “I hope we at SHS have given you the skills to be discriminating users of information and technology …. Surely we dont's want to go back to the days of the daily paper and evening news cast.” However he said, "The swirl of torrents of information—some reliable, much of it not—requires curation on an infinite scale and a discerning skepticism on the part of the reader or viewer."

He warned the students to not only “Watch your diet of information but also to contribute to structures and actions that foster the spread of real facts and rigorous analysis that promote the common good.".."Remember that rigorous debate is rooted in a deep understanding of facts and analysis."

He continued, "Regardless of what side of any one question you take, in order to advance the cause you will need courage. As the energy of your youth matures into the wisdom of age, you will continue to find your voices and ways in which you can make your marks."

With that, Superintendent Thomas Hagerman certified the graduation of the 371 members of the class of 2019 and bid them to “go forth and serve the common good.”

The members of the class of 2019 filed to the stage to receive their diplomas and when everyone was a grad they threw up their mortarboards with glee.

If you would like to add your photo to our gallery, please email it to [email protected].

 

Graduation coverage sponsored by Julia B. Fee Sotheby's of Scardale: