Board Reviews Next Year's Calendar, the Future of the A School Building and More

Board of Education President, James Dugan, started the BOE meeting on Monday night with the reminder that the district’s proposed capital bond is the result of a months-long, transparent planning process and not a sudden proposal. He encouraged residents to review the extensive bond materials available on the district’s website, noting that while the information is substantial, it reflects careful consideration of the district’s long-term needs.

Reflecting on Scarsdale’s more than 240-year commitment to public education, he said the community has consistently invested in its schools, helping establish a nationally recognized district known for academic excellence, including National Blue Ribbon awards and strong student outcomes. He described the bond as a critical opportunity to sustain that legacy, modernize aging facilities, and ensure high-quality learning environments for decades to come.

Dugan went on to explain that the proposed improvements would address building deterioration and enhance student learning experiences, emphasizing that failing to act would ultimately harm both students and the broader community. He urged residents to view the bond as an investment in the future of Scarsdale’s schools and its continued leadership in public education.

He also highlighted the board’s ongoing community outreach efforts, noting that the first board coffee of the year was held on January 9 and inviting residents to attend the next session on February 4 at 7 p.m. to continue open dialogue and engagement.

Read more about what was said in regards the recent Bond Survey results in this article here.

While the bond proposal was definitely a hot topic at the Monday night’s meeting, the Board also discussed a few other important issues.

Proposed Calendar for the 2026-27 School Year

A topic on the minds of parents who are already planning their vacations for next year, Superintendent Dr. Drew Patrick presented a draft of the 2026–27 school calendar that would begin classes before Labor Day, an uncommon move driven by the late timing of the holiday this coming September. Labor Day falls on September 7, 2026, prompting the district to propose a student start date of Tuesday, September 1, with staff returning in late August for required conference days.

The calendar meets the state-mandated 185 days of session and includes a two-week December recess, a February break aligned with Presidents Day, a spring break during Passover week in April, and an extended Easter weekend. The school year would conclude on June 25, the last day permitted statewide by the State Education Department. Patrick noted that because this date is mandated by the state, there is no flexibility to end the school year earlier.

-First Day of School: Tuesday, Sept. 1st, before Labor Day, with (2) Superintendent Conference Days the last week of August
-December Holiday Recess: Dec.21st - Jan. 1st. Schools reopen on Jan. 4th
-Winter Recess: Feb. 15th - Feb. 19th. Schools reopen on Feb. 22nd
-Easter Recess: Mar. 26th - Mar. 29th
-Spring Break: April 19th - April 23rd - coinciding with Passover on Apr. 21-22
Last Day of School (Rating Day): June 25th (determined by the State)

The draft calendar will return to the board for formal action later this month.

Board members discussed the challenges of aligning breaks with neighboring districts and athletic schedules, particularly in years when Passover and Easter do not overlap. Patrick related that attendance has historically been low on partial weeks surrounding holidays, arguing that longer, clearly defined breaks better support continuity of learning than scattered days off. Several members agreed that the two-week December recess improves instructional consistency and reflects the needs of the district’s many international families.

Board Debates Future of “A School” Building, Weighs Partnership With Village

The Board of Education held an extended discussion on the future of the “A School” building on Wayside Lane, also known as the former Boy Scout House, as village officials express interest in reclaiming the space for community use. The building previously housed the Scarsdale Alternative School and continues to serve as overflow parking for Scarsdale High School.

Dr. Patrick shared that the village has shown increasing interest in using the property for adult education, senior programming, or other community purposes, but the district does not currently have funding or a defined plan to invest in renovating the aging structure. Board members acknowledged that holding the building indefinitely without a clear use may not be a sustainable long-term position and raised the possibility of a shared-use partnership with the village.

Several board members expressed concern that losing the adjacent parking lot would worsen already tight parking conditions at the high school, particularly with the introduction of common lunch, which has increased student movement and demand for parking. Members cited traffic congestion, pedestrian safety, and overflow into nearby residential streets as significant risks if parking were reduced.

Others cautioned against relinquishing a building so close to the high school campus, noting the district’s limited land and potential future need for instructional or support space. Security concerns were also raised about housing students in a detached building that lacks modern safety infrastructure.

Student representatives said the parking lot is heavily used and helps reduce congestion on surrounding streets, even though students view it as a last-resort option. They warned that eliminating it could increase safety risks and time pressures during the school day.|

District officials noted that maintaining the building costs approximately $10,000 to $12,000 annually and that any meaningful renovation would require significant investment. Under the current lease, either the district or the village may terminate use with 90 days’ notice, though village leaders have indicated a preference for a mutually agreed solution.

The board agreed to continue discussions with village officials to explore options, including possible shared use with carefully defined schedules, while seeking greater clarity on the village’s long-term plans and the potential impact on traffic and safety. No decision was made, and administrators said further information would be gathered before any changes are considered.

District Selects New Health Care Consultant

The school district has selected Risk Strategies as its new health care consulting firm to support management of its self-insured health insurance plan following a competitive request for proposals process.

Risk Strategies will provide strategic planning, financial and actuarial analysis, vendor oversight, and member advocacy services, including direct support for employees and retirees navigating claims. Assistant Superintendent of Business, Andrew Lennon said the firm will help manage rising health care complexity and costs while easing administrative workload.

The district emphasized that the change will not affect health care coverage, benefits, or existing vendors, but will add oversight and support.