At School: An Apology from a Board Member, Muslim Holidays, State Test Results and more from the Scarsdale School Board

A member of the Scarsdale Board of Education offered a fervent apology for remarks she made at an open house at the middle school two weeks ago, when she overstepped the rules of decorum for board members and parents as well.

Jessica Resnick-Ault who is now serving her second year of a three year term as a member of the school board made comments that were in her own words, “inappropriate for the venue,” and “put the teacher on the spot and in an uncomfortable situation.”

According to witnesses, during a session about the foreign language program with about 150 others, Resnick-Ault, speaking in Spanish, expressed her discontent with the program and asked why students were not “conversational” by ninth or tenth grade. She proposed, “maybe the board needs to look at world language?” Apparently her remarks were lengthy, and embarrassed and humiliated faculty members.

At the Board of Education meeting on October 3, she said, “I should have understood going into this what their effect would be. My comments made the Board members work more challenging….To date the highpoint of serving on this board has been the opportunity to see the innovations of our faculty. I am embarrassed and saddened to harm the trust our leadership has worked hard to build….I violated that norm 2 weeks ago.”

“(I know that) concerns must go first to a teacher, then to a department chair. I gave the misimpression that I was calling for curricular changes. These are not rolled out by the board. We are in the midst of choosing our next leader which requires collaboration.”

Pledging to change her ways she said, “I have been honored to participate in this work and hope to continue. I will take guidance from Amber Yusuf, Ron Schulhof, and Drew Patrick. I will work with a former board member. I will be sure to make regular contact with my board buddies. I will take additional board training and legal training offered by NYSSMA. I will follow the parent engagement protocol and will act in word and deeds. I have stepped back from PTA role and someone else will lead the community book talk.”

During public comments, two parents appeared to be defending Resnick-Ault.

Mayra Kirkendall Rodriguez, who was with Resnick-Ault at the open house and made similar comments about the language program that night called into the Board meeting via Zoom. Among other comments she said, “I hope that the squelching of free speech has not arrived in Scarsdale.”

Rachna Singh followed, saying, “I would like to piggyback on what Mayra said. I was confused about the policy for parent questions at open houses; provide us with guidelines on parent protocols.”

Interim Superintendent Drew Patrick responded to the two, saying, “I think the comment about free speech being squelched is out of bounds. A presentation to 150 parents is not the time to ask questions about individual students. We have protocols for helping students be their own agents, for parents to raise concerns and for complaints to be addressed.”

Hoax Threats

Eric Rauschenbach informed the board that the FBI shared information with the district about a hoax caller who claims there is an active shooter. Rauschenbach said the safety team met to discuss how they would deal with this threat. He said, “We will respond as if it is a real emergency until we learn otherwise. We have put extra procedures and precautions in place. We are working closely with SPD on a response. The hoax has been played out at a number of institutions.”

Muslim Holidays

Also during public comments, two Muslim students came to the mic to ask that the Scarsdale Schools close during their holidays. Serena Malik of 77 Tunstall Road said “Scarsdale has been focused on DEI, but there is so much more to do. I have to miss a day of school to celebrate my holiday. It’s stressful. After I pray and celebrate I have to do all the work I missed. There are 150 Muslim students in this district.” Another student named Aisha said, “It’s a struggle to make up school days missed from Muslim holidays. Religious holidays are spent stressing over missed school. There is a way to adjust the schedule for one day … all we are asking for is one day to decorate our houses.”

Interim Superintendent Drew Patrick told the students they did a beautiful job representing their concerns. He said, “We will begin our calendar discussion in a month. We will take your feedback to the conversation.”

State Test Results

Assistant Superintendent Edgar McIntosh discussed the results of state testing for third through eighth grades. He explained that this year, the state did not provide percentiles on the reports to allow Scarsdale to compare our results to those of other districts. Instead he said, “We will compare 2022 to past years results but do not have the statewide comparison.” He said an education report will be provided at the October 24, 2022 meeting of the Board.

Facilities

Stuart Mattey reported that food service is now available at Edgewood, Fox Meadow and Heathcote and he is “hoping for Quaker Ridge next week.” Food service at Greenacres is scheduled to begin on October 19.

Mattey also gave an update on facilities and said that a committee has been meeting regularly to discuss the completion of the renovation of the Scarsdale High School auditorium, which is being done in a “piecemeal” fashion. The curtain and rigging system has been replaced and LED lights have been installed. A final scope of work is being developed and it is expected that it will cost $3.4 million to improve the acoustical experience and the overall aesthetic. A full presentation of the recommendation and funding options will be made at the November 14, 2022 meeting.

He also reported that other projects had been completed including:

Classroom unit ventilator replacement and electrical panel upgrades at Quaker Ridge, the middle school and the high school

At Heathcote, a new boiler and air conditioning in the gym.

Courtyard site and drainage improvements at the middle school.

See more on facilities updates here:

A video of the meeting has not yet been posted on the district website.