Community Celebrates Dr. Andrew Patrick's Appointment to Superintendent of the Scarsdale Schools
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Andrew Patrick and his familyScarsdale has a new Superintendent of Schools. The Board of Education unanimously and enthusiastically voted in and celebrated Dr. Drew Patrick on February 13, 2023, marking the end of a very tumultuous year for the district. Positive energy radiated from the packed room of attendees who cheered Patrick’s promotion from interim superintendent, a position he has held since May 2022 when the districts previous superintendent, Dr. Thomas Hagerman stepped down following a payroll tax issue with the IRS.
Before the vote, BOE members took time to review the rigorous and thorough process that was utilized to search for the best possible candidate. They reminded the audience that the search began over a year ago and that integral to the process was transparency, communication, and input from all stakeholders including teachers, faculty, staff, parents, and students alike. As outlined on the district website there were several stages to the superintendent search starting with the hiring of search firm, Hazard, Young, Attea & Associates (HYA) in June of 2022. With HYA’s help, the BOE planned and prepared for the search, engaged the community, developed a leadership profile, and recruited and interviewed candidates.
A standing ovation
Each board member extended a congratulations and warm welcome.
BOE VP Ron Schulhof called Dr. Patrick “exceptional” and said, “he deeply he cares about our district and the community.” Schulhof noted that Patrick “understands the value of communication and partnership and takes time to build relationships with all members of our school community.”
Robert Klein thanked the BOE for their remarkable teamwork saying that he was proud to be a part of the process. He spoke about how Dr. Patrick’s work as Interim Superintendent allowed the BOE to watch his leadership style with microscopic precision leaving no doubt in their minds that they “hit it out of the park” by hiring him for the permanent role.
Jessica Resnick-Ault said that Dr. Patrick truly embodies every characteristic outlined in the 
Ken Bonamo and Jessica Resnick-Aultleadership profile including:
-Appreciates the culture of the Scarsdale Public Schools and rebuilds trust.
-Engages the school community with excellent interpersonal skills.
-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.
Jim Dugan praised Dr. Patrick adapting quickly to the role of interim superintendent and succeeding at every level of the job. Dugan also lauded Dr. Patrick for being a kind, thoughtful, and caring leader who puts our district first.
Colleen Brown also drew attention to Dr. Patrick’s thoughtfulness and humbleness and shared how excited she is for our community and children to have Dr. Patrick as our leader, noting that in addition to Dr. Patrick’s extensive experience, he also owns unlimited potential.
Suzie Hahn Pascutti added that she couldn’t be more excited to have Dr. Patrick as our new superintendent calling him the ultimate model of a lifelong learner and a strong leader with innate kindness.
In closing, BOE President Amber Yusuf remarked that Dr. Patrick possesses all of the qualities that the BOE and the greater community were looking for in a new leader. Yusuf admires Dr. Patrick’s student centered approach, willingness to learn, and that he leads with empathy and integrity.
At the conclusion of the Board’s genuine and sincere comments, Dr. Patrick was met with a resounding standing ovation by the large crowd of teachers, administrators, PTA representatives, parents and other supporters. Visibly humbled, Dr. Patrick declared that he was not used to the prolonged praise and accolades and that he was overwhelmed by all the generous words and warm reception. In addition to acknowledging that it is a privilege and a professional dream come true for him, Dr. Patrick thanked the crowd of well-wishers for caring and demonstrating their support. He also made clear that he owes a debt of gratitude to the Board of Education for their diligence and dedication. When recognizing the support of his wife and children (who were in attendance for the appointment), you could hear the emotion in Dr. Patrick’s voice as he thanked them for their patience and love as well as for understanding why his work is so important to him. See his letter to the Scarsdale community here:
Before breaking for a short reception, praise and congratulations continued when SHS Principal Kenneth Bonamo took the podium to offer this statement on behalf of the Principals Association:
Ladies and Gentlemen,
I am delighted to offer congratulations to Drew Patrick on his appointment as our new school superintendent. This appointment is a testament to the hard work and commitment of the Board of Education in selecting the right person for this critical role.
The responsibilities of a school superintendent are complex and extensive, requiring exceptional leadership, vision, and expertise. It is clear to all of us who know Drew and work with him that he possesses all of these qualities and more, and I am confident that he will bring a fresh perspective and innovative ideas to our district.
Drew’s credentials are truly remarkable. With years of experience in education, including several leadership positions, he has established a proven record of success. His passion for education is genuine, and we are continually inspired by his humble approach to collaboration and leadership. Drew really gets to know people, and he always takes the time to communicate thoughtfully. He understands that, at its core, ours is a human endeavor.
Drew’s focus on our WIDE community, making wellness, inclusion, diversity, and equity a key area of our work, also prioritizes bringing people together from all facets of our community. Drew recognizes the critical importance of creating a supportive and inclusive learning environment for all students, and he works tirelessly to ensure that every student has the opportunity to reach their full potential.
Having a strong leader at the helm of our school district is essential. I am confident that Drew will provide the guidance and support that our teachers and students need to thrive. Drew’s leadership will continue the legacy of those great leaders who came before him in new and exciting ways that will meet the challenges of the moment for our students, families, and staff members.
I would like to take a moment to thank the Board of Education for their inclusive and exhaustive process in selecting our new superintendent. Their dedication to finding the right person for this role is truly commendable, and I am grateful for their commitment to ensuring the success of our school district. The Board provided an inclusive process that solicited and integrated feedback from many members of the community even within the lines of confidentiality that a fruitful selection process required.
So, let us all offer Drew our full support as he begins this exciting new chapter in his career and in our school district. Together, under his leadership, we can help our students achieve their full potential as we prepare them for the challenges of the future.
STA President Joe VaughnFollowing Bonamo, President of the Scarsdale Teachers Association, Joe Vaughan shared a few sentiments on behalf of the STA. In his statement, Vaughan thanked the BOE for all the time, engagement, and effort they collectively put forth in order to arrive at the right conclusion: a superintendent who can lead in a way that the STA needs and deserves to be led. Vaughan also highlighted Dr. Patrick’s ability to lead with vision and with the skill to communicate that vision in a way that honors his respect and deep understanding of others. As an example of this respect and his ability to lead with integrity, Vaughan shared an anecdote from a recent letter that Dr. Patrick wrote to the STA. It was a simple phrase at the end of his letter that garnered Vaughan’s attention: “In Partnership, Drew.” Vaughan said the STA looks forward to a long and fruitful partnership with Dr. Patrick in his role as superintendent.
Last, Lauren Grossberg, PT Council President had this to share on behalf of the PTC:
“The PT Council Executive Committee would like to take this opportunity to thank the Board of 
Lauren GrossbergEd for the extremely thorough superintendent search process. Your commitment to finding the best candidate for our district was apparent and your efforts to engage the community did not go unnoticed. We are grateful for the time and effort you dedicated to this important search and we are so thrilled with the outcome. We look forward to an exciting future with our new superintendent.” Grossberg added that as PTC President she has greatly appreciated Dr. Patrick’s clear and respectful communication style and the fact that he places significant value on input from all stakeholders. She credits Dr. Patrick’s work as interim superintendent with creating a positive shift in our district’s culture by making every voice feel heard and respected.
The excitement for Dr. Patrick’s appointment as superintendent doesn’t stop with the representatives who spoke at Monday’s meeting. The buzz from parents, students, and other faculty and staff has all echoed the sentiments from the BOE. Shilpa Spencer, a mom of two SHS students, had this to say when asked her thoughts about Dr. Patrick’s new role, “From the beginning of his time as interim superintendent, Dr. Patrick assured me that our school system is in the right hands. His beautiful combination of humility, integrity, and authority fill me with confidence that Scarsdale will prepare our children to become thoughtful and well-prepared citizens of the future.” A student at SHS also seemed happy with Dr. Patrick’s appointment saying, “I sometimes see Dr. Patrick at SHS and he is always happy and smiling. It is nice to have that energy here. It has also been such a crazy few years, so having a good leader stay on will give everyone some stability.”
School Board to Appoint Dr. Andrew Patrick to be the Next Superintendent of the Scarsdale Schools
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(This letter was sent by the Board of Education to the Scarsdale Community on February 9, 2023)
Dear Scarsdale Community,
The Scarsdale Board of Education is thrilled to announce that it has unanimously identified Dr. Andrew Patrick to be the next Superintendent of Scarsdale Schools. The Board plans to formally appoint Dr. Patrick at its next meeting on February 13th.
“Dr. Patrick exemplifies all of the qualities identified by our community in the Leadership Profile report. Dr. Patrick leads with empathy and integrity, uses a student-centered approach to creative problem solving, and is open to reflection and learning. We are confident that Dr. Patrick’s leadership will create an inclusive environment for our students, faculty and staff, and community. After an extensive and thorough search process, Dr. Patrick inspires the full confidence of the Board and we enthusiastically welcome him into his role as the Superintendent of Scarsdale schools,” said Ms. Amber Yusuf, Board President.
Dr. Patrick, is, of course, well known to the Scarsdale community as the Interim Superintendent of Schools since May 2022. Prior to this appointment, Dr. Patrick had served as the Assistant Superintendent for Human Resources and Leadership Development for Scarsdale Schools since 2016. Dr. Patrick has been a leader in public education as a teacher and district leader since 1998. Before coming to Scarsdale, Dr. Patrick served as Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction in Bedford, New York for eight years. Prior to his district-level leadership position, Dr. Patrick taught earth science, biology, and A.P. environmental science and served as Science Department Coordinator.
Dr. Patrick holds degrees from the University of Rochester (B.S., Biology-Geology), the University of South Carolina (M.S., Geology), Bank Street College of Education (M.Ed., Educational Leadership), and Manhattanville College (Ed.D., Educational Leadership). Dr. Patrick has published works as both a geologist and as an educational leader. Teaching and professional development are focal aspects of his practice as he provides extensive professional development, both within and outside the District. Dr. Patrick has taught graduate level courses at Bank Street College since 2018.
Hiring a new superintendent is one of the most important responsibilities of a Board of Education and we have been committed to conducting an inclusive, thoughtful, and comprehensive process to find the next Superintendent of Schools for Scarsdale. More than 65 potential candidates were considered from a diverse pool in a nationwide search. The Board conducted multiple rounds of interviews with a very strong group of sitting superintendents from excellent school districts with established records of success.
We are grateful for the widespread engagement of our community, students, parents, faculty, and staff members that helped guide the Board in this extensive process, whether through participation in focus groups, community forums, interviews, and/or the online survey. The Board would also like to extend our thanks to Ms. Deborah Raizes and Dr. Susan Guiney at Hazard Young Attea Associates (HYA) for their many hours of hard work, extensive recruitment, and professional expertise.
For a comprehensive timeline and catalog of all actions, communications, documents, and videos available with regard to this search, please visit the Superintendent Search Page.
In anticipation of his appointment, Dr. Patrick shared, “I extend my deepest gratitude to the Board of Education for putting their trust in me to lead this extraordinary school community. It is truly a privilege and a professional dream come true. To my mind, what makes leading this District so special is the combination of an exceptionally engaged student body and an extraordinary faculty and staff situated in a community deeply committed to ensuring a world-class education for its youth. The collective contribution of goodwill, energy, innovation, and resources cultivates an environment of possibility in our schools. I have been energized by our work over the past nine months, and am excited for the future we will create together.”
The Board is very excited to unanimously congratulate Dr. Patrick on his new role as Superintendent of Schools and looks forward to continuing Scarsdale’s strong tradition of excellence and innovation under his stewardship.
Sincerely,
The Board of Education
Introducing the Candidates for Mayor and Village Trustee
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Last week the Citizens Nominating Committee announced their slate of candidates for the Scarsdale Citizens Non-Partisan Party, for election on Tuesday March 21 from 6 am to 9 pm at Scarsdale Public Library.
On the ballot are former two-term trustee Justin Arest, who is running for Mayor, Karen Brew and Sameer Ahuja who are running for second two-year terms as Village Trustee and Dara Gruenberg who is running for her first term as Village Trustee. Cynthia Dunne is running for Village Justice.
Below are the biographies of the candidates for Mayor and Village Trustee.
Justin Arest has lived in Scarsdale for 10 years. He has served two terms as a Village Trustee from 2018-2022. While on the Village Board, he held 
leadership positions in various areas including chairing the Personnel and Finance Committees. Justin was Deputy Mayor from 2020-2022 under both Mayors Samwick and Veron. He was actively involved in the searches for important hires including the Assessor, Treasurer, Attorney and Village Manager. Justin worked closely with Village Staff and key stakeholders to improve the Village’s budgeting process to make it more effective and the information more easily available for the public. During the pandemic, Justin, alongside the Mayor, trustees, and Village Staff ensured that our government had the ability to support the continuity of essential services. As the chair of the Village Center Task Force, he collaborated with staff and the Scarsdale Business Alliance to find ways for residents and other visitors to safely shop and eat in Scarsdale, also providing needed revenues for our local merchants. Professionally, Justin is an attorney and has spent the past fifteen years investing in and managing commercial real estate mostly in the NY area. Justin graduated from NYU Stern with a B.S. in Finance and International Business and earned his J.D. from GW Law School. Justin resides in Heathcote with his wife, Allison, and children, Madeline and Julian.
Sameer Ahuja has been a resident of Scarsdale for a combined 22 years dating back to 1985 when his family immigrated to the U.S. He has served as a Trustee of the Village of Scarsdale since April 2021 focused on technology, economic development, and DE&I. Sameer has also been actively involved in the school community, serving as a youth softball and basketball coach for Heathcote girls for several years. Sameer leads New York-based GameChanger Media Inc., a 150-person sports technology company whose mission is to elevate the next generation through sports. GameChanger unites thousands of communities in all 50 states. He is a long-time entrepreneur with nearly 20 years of experience as a Founder, CEO or COO of high-growth technology businesses in four different industries - location-based entertainment, fintech, investment management, and sportstech. Sameer also writes a blog, Complexity Everywhere, about unexpected events in markets, politics, and society. He also serves as an Advisor to Women in Sports Tech. Sameer graduated from Scarsdale High School, has a B.A. in Economics from Columbia University and an MBA from Harvard Business School. He resides in Heathcote with his wife Sima and two daughters, Anya and Ella.
Karen Brew has lived in Scarsdale for 18 years. She is completing her first term as Scarsdale Village 
Trustee. Prior to her work as Trustee, Karen served on the board of the League of Women Voters of Scarsdale and on the Executive Committee of the Scarsdale High School Scholarship Fund for College. Karen also was a member of the School Board Nominating Committee (SBNC) and the SBNC Administrative and Joint Committees. Karen was involved for many years with Scarsdale’s schools, serving as the Edgewood PTA President, Treasurer, on various Edgewood, Scarsdale Middle and Scarsdale High School PTA committees; as well as serving on the Executive Committee of the Parent Teacher Council (PTC). She also served on the Scarsdale Bowl Committee. Karen most recently worked part-time for nine years as an Executive Recruiter with Koren Rogers Executive Search. Before that she had various leadership roles in marketing management, strategy and consulting in the consumer goods and financial services industries. Karen earned a B.A. cum laude from Cornell University and an MBA from the Kellogg Graduate School of Management at Northwestern University. Karen resides in Edgewood with her husband (Richard) Damian. They have two grown daughters, Emily and Madeline, who graduated from Scarsdale Schools.
Dara Gruenberg has lived in Scarsdale for the last 11 years. She is the President of the Friends of the 
Scarsdale Library and was Co-Chair of the Library’s Capital Campaign. She is the Chair of Scarsdale Village’s Advisory Council on Communications and a member of the Village Board of Ethics. Dara is also a Vice Chair of the Foundation Board at White Plains Hospital, a Vice President at Westchester Reform Temple, and a board member of Feeding Westchester. In recent years, Dara served as a board member of the Scarsdale Forum and the League of Women Voters Scarsdale, and she was a member of the Scarsdale Bowl Committee. Dara also served on the Citizens Nominating Committee and was the co-chair of the Scarsdale Citizens Non-Partisan Party Campaign. In 2018, Dara received the Scarsdale Family Counseling Rising Star Award for her leadership within the community and volunteerism. In 2021, New York State Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins selected Dara as one of her three Women's History Month honorees in recognition of her Covid relief efforts. Prior to moving to Scarsdale, Dara was a teacher and school administrator at an independent school in Manhattan. Dara has a B.A. cum laude in Classics from Barnard College, Columbia University and a Master of Education in School Administration from Bank Street College of Education. Dara resides in Fox Meadow with her husband, Jon, and their two children Cornelia and Jake.
Board Announces Selection of a Final Candidate for Superintendent of the Scarsdale Schools
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(This letter was submitted by the Scarsdale Board of Education)
Dear Scarsdale Community,
The Board hopes that you are having a good start to the second half of the school year.
We are very excited to share that the interview phase of the Superintendent search process has been completed and that the Board has unanimously selected a final candidate. The Board has conducted its candidate due diligence, including a background check and speaking with references. Discussions regarding contract negotiations are finalized. A selected group of stakeholders is expected to meet with the final candidate next week as one of the final steps of this process. The stakeholder group will include two community and two faculty representatives.
Hiring a new superintendent is one of the most important responsibilities of a Board of Education and we have been committed to conducting an inclusive, thoughtful and comprehensive process to find the next Superintendent of Schools for Scarsdale. More than 65 potential candidates were considered from a diverse pool in a nationwide search. The Board conducted multiple rounds of interviews with a very strong group of sitting superintendents from excellent school districts with established records of success. We are grateful for the widespread engagement of our faculty, staff and community members that helped guide the Board in this process.
For a comprehensive timeline and catalog of all actions, communications, documents and videos available with regard to this search, please visit the Superintendent Search Page.
The Board eagerly looks forward to announcing an exceptional Superintendent to lead the Scarsdale Schools in continuing our tradition of the highest quality education. This announcement will come both in a press release and an email sent to the community, faculty and staff.
Sincerely,
The Board of Education
CNC Selects Slate for Mayor and Village Trustees
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Justin ArestThe Citizens Nominating Committee has selected the Scarsdale Citizens’ Non-Partisan Party slate for Mayor, Village Trustees and Village Justice.
For Mayor, Justin Arest, who served two terms as Village Trustee, has been nominated to lead the Village. He is an attorney with keen financial acumen and was instrumental in steering the Village through the financial crisis during the COVID pandemic.
Nominees for trustee, Sameer Ahuja and Karen Brew are currently serving their first two year terms and have been active and engaged board members. Notably Brew guided the Village through their decision making on changes to the laws regarding the sale of cannabis, and Ahuja has championed technological innovations. They are both nominated to serve their second term.Sameer Ahuja: Photo by Andi Schreiber
Newcomer Dara Gruenberg holds many leadership roles in the Village and is now President of the Friends of the Scarsdale Library and co-chaired the library’s capital campaign that raised the funds to build the new library. She is Chair of the Scarsdale Village Advisory Council on Communications and received the SFCS Rising Star Award in 2018.
Cynthia Dunne, a former Assistant in the U.S. Attorney’s office is currently serving as Village Justice.
Here is the slate:
Justin Arest of 2 Lakin Road, a Village Resident for 10 years, Mayor
Sameer Ahuja of 30 Secor Road, a Village Resident for 22 years, Trustee
Karen BrewKaren Brew of 29 Ferncliff Road, a Village Resident for 18 years, Trustee
Dara Gruenberg of 24 Hampton Road, a Village Resident for 11 years, Trustee
Cynthia Dunne of 14 Edgewood Rd, a Village Resident for over 15 years, Village Justice
The General Village Election will take place Tuesday, March 21, 2023. The election will be held at the Scarsdale Public Library, 54 Olmsted Road in the Scott Room. Voting hours will be from 6:00 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Omer Wiczyk served as Chair and Janet Han served as Vice Chair of the CNC. In addition to the candidates for Village office, the CNC selected Jared Stern as Chair and Mary Pat Jones as Vice Chair for next year’s CNC. The CNC also elected Heath Sroka to serve as Vice Chair of the Procedure Committee.Dara Gruenberg: Photo credit -Andi Schreiber
“Starting in late November 2022, the CNC searched for potential candidates and then conducted extensive diligence. While deliberations and reference conversations are not shared publicly, the CNC considered and carefully researched the background, experience, and qualifications of each trustee candidate and engaged in significant deliberation,” said Omer Wiczyk, Chair of the CNC. “We thank the CNC Members for their hard work and diligence in selecting this strong slate of candidates,” he continued.
