Board Reviews Curriculum and Technology at Second Budget Study Session

On February 6, the Scarsdale Board of Education held their second budget study session to review the proposed 2013-2014 Scarsdale school budget. The proposed budget calls for a 4.52% increase over the 2012-13 budget, and a 6.88% tax increase, the highest in years. Although more than 75% of the budget increase is due to increases in retirement and health care costs, the Board continued going line by line through the budget in its second meeting, discussing additions and looking for savings.

On the table was the proposed addition of a Mandarin teacher in the middle school. Originally proposed for the 2008-2009 budget, it was turned down due to the recession and had not been considered again until now. Superintendent Michael McGill discussed the proposal with the ultimate goal of creating "a really robust world language program for the 21st century." Responding to questions by Board members about the timing of the addition, McGill asked, "if not now, then when?" Board members also brought up concerns that Mandarin is a "boom language" like Japanese and Russian were in the past. Though no final decision was made, in an informal show of hands, most members voted "no" to the proposal, saying that while the idea should be proposed again next year, now is not the right time.

Also on the agenda was a discussion of a $62,000 increase in the cost of textbooks, primarily due to the Singapore Math program. According to Assistant Superintendent for Instruction Lynne Shain, "All six elementary grades, K-5, use the Singapore Math program. Each student needs a workbook and extra practice book at $39.00 per student per year. For 2013-14 we project 2117 elementary students. There is a $62,000 increase in the textbook line in our proposed budget, some for Singapore Math, but also for projected text purchases in other subject areas."

Usually the Board allows teachers to decide which textbooks to use, but because of the high cost of these books, the Board deemed it necessary to discuss the increase. Though the administration looked into cutting costs by using online textbooks and workbooks, it was clear that the only savings would come in negotiations with Singapore Math.

Board members were unhappy with the increase and one likened the situation to going to a mechanic, finding out there is a dubious problem with a car's brakes and fixing it only because children ride in the car. However, the administration answered that if the increase is not approved, students will not have textbooks next year and that the Singapore Math Program has been well received and a switch in the math program could cost hundreds of thousands of dollars.

An ongoing discussion over funding for the Center of Innovation continued during the meeting. Last year, $100,000 was set aside for the program to "re-imagine teaching and learning, develop new models of instruction, explore the role of technology in transforming instruction, and to foster widespread change, beyond a single classroom or teacher." The money itself is meant to fund, "teacher project proposals, consultants, speakers, conference, and site visit expenses". To date, nine proposals out of twelve proposals have been approved and funded.

Board members expressed varied opinions on the progress of the program. Jonathan Lewis proposed that the committee provide grants to not only teachers, but also to other men and women involved in the Scarsdale education process. Lewis Leone worried that the program was not yet ready for the spotlight, though it is set to be showcased at a National Leadership Forum in upcoming months. A few members also expressed disappointment with the limited purview of what is being proposed. However, Superintendent McGill urged that the Center be given more time before it is reviewed, as the first proposals were only funded in the past two months.

To close the meeting, a presentation was made on the technology budget. The presentation made clear that the technology departments across the district operate with limited staffing and proposed the addition of a network specialist and computer technician at each level so that computer teachers can focus on teaching, rather than on fixing problems with the system. The presentation also discussed the implications of providing wireless access throughout the high school as well as the purchase of new wireless devices on all levels.

The third of four work-study meetings will be held Monday February 11 and the final meeting will be held Wednesday February 13.

This article was contributed by Brian Solender, a senior at Scarsdale High School, and a former reporter, assistant editor and sports editor for the Maroon.

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