A Matter of Transparent Process
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- Written by Diane Greenwald
- Hits: 1968
(This was written by Diane Greenwald)
I know we are all concerned about this district tax issue, but I want to mention a related topic of concern. About a month ago, the Board of Education asked that parents give input about the interim superintendent process, and so I offered a suggestion. I thought it best that they appoint a neutral interim, someone who would clearly not want the job long-term, and that would give Scarsdale a year to take stock of district strengths and weaknesses, review our community values, and build trust in a well-detailed process. Instead, the Board announced that our current Assistant Superintendent of Personnel, Dr. Andrew Patrick, hired by Dr. Hagerman in 2016, has been named interim Superintendent. The announcement comes with his strong credentials and willingness for “seamless transition” but without process explanation, and while there may be good reasons for promoting from within, there are also worries. I have questions.
What was the process of interim selection? How many were considered? Does the board have an agreement with Dr. Patrick about his role, like, is Dr. Patrick now ineligible to apply for the permanent post or is he the “heir apparent”? This decision may be signaling to the educational community that the job is filled. How will the board counter this notion to attract wide, national interest in the position? Who will fill Dr. Patrick’s current, critical role? Will that be filled with another interim and what will that person be promised? The Board appears to be holding Dr. Patrick’s place for him in personnel if they don’t hire him as permanent superintendent, but is that a realistic outcome?
The board announcement mentions valuing continuity, something we can all understand, but student continuity comes mostly from the building-level leadership and teachers (thank you, principals and teachers!) District continuity may not be the singular priority for some of us who have serious concerns about district management. Considering issues like low teacher morale, fragile student wellness, uncertain public heath, limited strategic support for long-term financial decisions, looming environmental requirements, and these very troubling tax-payment errors, maybe the district could use someone with independent and fresh eyes?
Moving forward, the board has the big responsibility to hire the superintendent, but I would appreciate a greater measure of process transparency that can generate optimism and build trust. Dr. Patrick may be a qualified and talented future superintendent, but this community deserves an open hiring posture, particularly given the absence of women and people of color represented in senior leadership.
In his open letter dated April 5, Bob Berg also asks for honest dealings and he is right to. While I am no conspiracy theorist and rarely agree with Berg on much, I am uncomfortable with the board's ignorance, though he goes too far to call our board liars. More likely, this episode demonstrates a district culture of secrecy that has gone way too far. It feels disrespectful to stakeholders, to the board, and overall, it doesn’t pass the smell test. At minimum, we need the culture to change.
Each of the critical decisions currently facing this district demand a renewed commitment to open dialogue, frequent updates, detailed information, and clear rationales that respect our intelligence. Some information is not for everyone and for good reasons. But the board and administration should not overplay that notion and forget to inform the public about our children, our tax dollars and the decisions that matter to us, the good and the difficult. We are talking about educating our children, not protecting state secrets.
For the benefit of the children, I sincerely wish our leadership success. And I hope the board remembers that Scarsdale is a stable, well-funded and strongly supported district, with stellar faculty, engaged parents, and great kids. We have much to offer, including professional respect with salaries to match. But clearly there are issues and there are some in Scarsdale, including me, who will need assurances that the board and Dr. Patrick, even for this one upcoming year, will welcome accountability and improve our community trust.
Letter to the Editor from Bob Harrison
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- Written by Joanne Wallenstein
- Hits: 2250
To The Editor:
We are concerned about the 3.70 % proposed Village Tax increase for the fiscal year beginning on June first .
The School Board proposed tax increase for its fiscal year is only 2.43 %. We strongly feel any village tax increase should be in the 2.0+ % area.
Our concern is that the proposed Village budget should be as accurate as possible . Since the tentative Village budget was filed on March 18th, the Federal Reserve Board has publicly made significant changes in the outlook for interest rate policy to fight inflation. They now see seven interest rate hikes this year and five rate hikes next year and these rate hikes can be 25 to 50 basis points each. That means the Village interest income based on a 1.75 federal funds rate on $40 million that the Village has in local banks will be $700,000 more of income and if the FED raises rates 50 basis points five times that would add $ 500,000 more of interest income .
Each $ 400,000 of interest income can reduce the tax rate increase by " One Percent. " So our taxpayers could have the proposed 3.70 % tax increase reduced to a 1.95 % Village tax increase and could be reduced further by 1.25 % if the FED raised rates by 50 basis points.
To be fair because of increased inflation for Village costs there would be increased expenses for the Village. However, about 70+% of Village costs are already set by labor contracts and material contracts like paving can be timed when prices are lower.
We feel there is no reason for a 3.70 % Village Tax increase base on the added interest income that will be raised by investing Village funds in US Treasury bills at rates of 1% to 2% versus the banks based on interest rates in line with the new Federal Funds rates.
Send your support for a lower Village tax rate to our Mayor and Village Trustees with an email to [email protected] and to [email protected].
Bob Harrison, Chairman
Scarsdale Taxpayer Alert
Cell phone: 914 646-4054
65 Fox Meadow Road
Scarsdale, NY
Police Issue Warning About Child Predator
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- Written by Joanne Wallenstein
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(March 21, 2022 1:16 pm)
This in from the Scarsdale Police:
Suspicious Incident in the area of Garth and Popham Roads
On Saturday, March 19th at approximately 4:45 PM, an 11-year-old girl was playing near Garth and Popham Roads when a male in a passing car, who the child did not know, stopped, rolled down his window and motioned to the youth. The male then exited his car and motioned to the child again and stated “Come, come”. The child, who was in the area with other children entered a building on Garth Road and the male left the area. A short time later, a parent reported the incident to the Scarsdale Police.
The person in the vehicle is described as a Black male, wearing a black “beanie” style hat, with a mask down around his chin and wearing a black t-shirt. This male was reported to be driving a black Toyota sedan.
This incident is currently under investigation by the Scarsdale Police Department’s Detective Division. Anyone with any information regarding this incident is asked to call the Scarsdale Police at 914-722-1200.
Musicians from the New York Philharmonic to Perform at Hoff-Barthelson Music School
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- Written by Joanne Wallenstein
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Hoff-Barthelson Music School’s 2022 Elaine Stamas Chamber Music Residency, with musicians from the New York Philharmonic, will be held Sunday, April 24, 2022, at the Music School, 25 School Lane, Scarsdale, New York. The residency includes master classes and a chamber music concert – a highlight of the residency – to which the public is invited to attend.
About the Chamber Music Concert
Enjoy a rare opportunity to hear some of the greatest works from the chamber music repertoire performed by world-renowned musicians in an intimate setting. Beginning at 7:30 pm, the concert features violinists Anna Rabinova (Hoff-Barthelson faculty member), Na Sun, and Kuan Cheng Lu; violist Rebecca Young; and cellist Ru-Pei Yeh. Joining the Philharmonic musicians are guest pianists Helen Huang and Zhen Chen. Included on the program are the passionate and exquisitely melodic Piano Trio No. 1 in D minor by Felix Mendelssohn and Antonin Dvořák's sublime Piano Quintet in A Major, Op. 81. Program and musicians are subject to change without notice.
Tickets for the concert are $30 general admission and free of charge for HBMS students. Seating is limited; early reservations are encouraged and can be made at Eventbrite (https://bit.ly/3CAGKRM) or www.hbms.org.
About the Elaine Stamas Chamber Music Residency Master Classes
The Elaine Stamas Chamber Music Residency gives HBMS students the opportunity to perform for members of the New York Philharmonic who share their comprehensive knowledge of ensemble playing with these young musicians, guiding them to a higher understanding of technique, musicianship and musical style. Three members of the Philharmonic – Anna Rabinova, violin and HBMS faculty member; Ru-Pei Yeh, cello; and Mindy Kaufman, flute, will coach student chamber music ensembles prior to the evening’s chamber music concert. The residency is named in honor of long-time supporter and member of the School’s Board of Trustees, Elaine Stamas.
SVAC and National Guard Honored at Village Hall
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- Written by Joanne Wallenstein
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Mayor Jane Veron issued proclamations honoring Scarsdale Village Ambulance Corps and the Ossining Volunteer Ambulance Corps for their heroism during the COVID crisis at a ceremony at Scarsdale Village Hall on Tuesday evening March 8, 2022.
Also on hand were members of the National Guard who had been given EMT training by SVAC, in order to bolster the state’s force of healthcare workers. They received 180 hours of training in just five weeks and were presented with certificates for completing the training.
The ceremony at Village Hall followed another from the county on February 8, 2022 when Westchester County Executive George Latimer presented a proclamation to SVAC for its efforts in providing COVID-19 testing and vaccinations to Westchester residents.
Presenting the Proclamation, Mayor Jane Veron said:
"Scarsdale Volunteer Ambulance Corp (SVAC), I am humbled to stand beside you this evening to pay tribute for your great deeds. You epitomize the very best of humanity. During the most critical health crisis we have ever known, you put yourselves on the line to serve others. You navigated an uncertain environment, taking proactive measures to keep our community safe. You led us through countless sleepless nights, caring for the sickest, protecting our most fragile.
David, you are an extraordinary leader. You have an incredible gift, to anticipate needs and mobilize a team of the most dedicated volunteers I have ever known. We all remember those frightening early days and those long months that followed. As the virus progressed, with all its twists and turns, you rallied to build out capacity for testing, vaccinating and boosting. You became the place to go, offering convenience, professionalism and peace of mind. You even found a way to make personal calls to home bound residents and to distribute masks on your time off.
Mayor Jane Veron, SVAC President David Raizen and Michelle Sterling, Chief of Staff for Amy Paulin
SVAC, each of you has given so much of yourselves. I call you the beacon of light during Scarsdale’s darkest moments. You have always been here for Scarsdale and for the greater community and you continue to do so today.
It was an honor for me to join you and your partner Ossining Volunteer Ambulance Corp (OVAC) at Westchester County’s press conference where they presented proclamations. County Executive Latimer praised you as “examples of heroism”, and it made me so proud. There is really nothing like that wonderful feeling of standing amidst men and women who rose to the occasion, shepherding us through the most difficult time of our lives.
SVAC and OVAC, we salute you and express our thanks.
National Guardsmen pose with the honorees.
I have two certifications of recognition. The first is a proclamation for Scarsdale Volunteer Ambulance Corp.
We are also thrilled to recognize another extraordinary volunteer emergency medical services organization this evening, Ossining Volunteer Ambulance Corp. I know SVAC and OVAC work in close partnerships, and Westchester County is beyond lucky to have you in our midst. This certificate recognizes your efforts during the COVID-19 pandemic, keeping the public safe with testing and vaccinations. I am happy to present this certificate to OVAC Chief Nick Franzoso, who is here with us tonight. Thank you, Nick, for your dedication to public health and please extend our thanks to everyone else at OVAC."
See more photos of SVAC staff and volunteers, OVAC representatives and members of the National Guard from photographer Jonathan Thaler here:
