The $101mm Proposed School Bond: Where it Stands Now

The Scarsdale community faces one of the biggest decisions in its history – that is whether or not to approve a $100 mm+ bond for infrastructure and spatial improvements to the schools and fields, to be voted on in May 2026.

Though traditionally the district has proposed bonds that match the amount of expiring debt in order to keep payments tax neutral, in this instance, $40 million in debt is rolling off, and the district is proposing to replace it with two and half times that amount, with a $101.7mm bond referendum. Compounding the question are annual school budget challenges which require the district to use diminishing reserves to balance the budget.

At the same time, the Scarsdale Village Board approved plans for a $70mm replacement and improvement to the Scarsdale Pool Complex, which will include an indoor/outdoor pool at the site, another first in Scarsdale history.

Is there adequate support for the investment in the schools at this time?

That was the question of the day at a bond forum, hosted by the Scarsdale School Board on Monday night February 2, 2026.

Before inviting public comments, Scarsdale School Superintendent Drew Patrick explained the evolution of the bond proposal, demonstrating how the district arrived at the $100mm target figure, how needs were evaluated and why the work is essential at this time. Assistant Superintendent Andrew Lennon provided a financial analysis, phasing the debt and the impact on Scarsdale taxpayers over the life of the bonds. See the presentation here:

This is the total scope of the bond as proposed prior to the February 2, 2026 meeting.

A large addition to Edgewood was based on a demographer’s projections of increased enrollment at the school. The $22.3 mm addition includes 6 classrooms and 5 small instructional spaces needed for services such as occupational, physical and speech therapy. The plan is to make a permanent home for three Special Education classes, with a current population of only 21 Scarsdale students. Since overall district enrollment has been decreasing for the past 10 years, and home sales are slow, some asked for the Board to hold off on this addition until a population increase could justify the addition.

PTA representatives asked the Board to also include a turf field at Scarsdale Middle School that was removed earlier on. The field would add $3.2 mm to the proposal, bringing the bond to $101.7 mm.

After the community requested further details on the estimated tax impact, Assistant Superintendent Andrew Lennon explained the phasing of the debt and showed this slide outlining the tax impact for a homeowner with an assessed value of $1.32mm. At the peak, it would mean a tax increase of $406.53 a year, on top of the regular 2-3% school tax increase.

Following the presentation and the public comments, the district answered questions raised by the Board.

In a discussion about the turf field, Lennon explained that the Village Board has a long range plan to build a large detention basin under the SMS field. This would require grants and further planning and there is no firm dates for this work. If the school district planned a turf field there, it is assumed they would need to coordinate with the Village on the planning. Lennon explained, “A significant logistical plan would be required. This would be a complicated system.”
Asked what the tax impact of including the $3.2 turf would be, Lennon estimated $45-$50 for the average homeowner per year.

Board Vice President Colleen Brown reported on the many emails the board had received advocating for the turf. She said, “School needs reflect our priorities. Mental health needs are a priority. We have gotten many emails about the turf. When fields are wet it affects our mental health as well. It touches every single person. It encourages healthy, active, well-rounded students.”

After a discussion of increasing the bond over $100mm, the health benefits of more playing time and flood mitigation, the Board voted to include the $3.2 mm field in the plan, hoping to build it in the future phases of the construction.

A board member asked why the 3 special education classes at. Edgewood could not be shifted to Greenacres, which has more space per student than the other elementary school, Patrick responded, “No other elementary school has three available classrooms – without shifting other classes. Greenacres has only one available class that is used for related services.”

The session included lengthy public comments on the bond. The PT Council, PTA’s, STA and Maroon and White all spoke in support of the bond. The League of Women Voters and several individual speakers expressed reservations. Read summaries of these comments here.