School Board Members Express Support for Proposed $101mm Bond

Though the Scarsdale School District is in the thick of budget season, the Board of Education remains equally dedicated to the regular issues of business. At the Board of Education on Monday March, 16th, district leaders provided updates on hiring, transportation, and a bond update, while also hearing from community members who shared their concerns during public comment. 

Board Members State Their Support for Proposed Bond 

After a brief update on the proposed bond, the Board of Education unanimously voted to adopt the resolution for the Bond Proposition to be presented to qualified voters at the Annual District Meeting and Election on Tuesday, May 19, 2026. See the draft of the bond proposition here.

Before voting, Board members took turns sharing their statements of support. 

BOE President James Dugan related, “I just wanted to add my perspective that I believe that this capital bond project is an important milestone for the District.  We recognize that this is a significant investment in the future of our District, and we are confident that this investment at this time is the right step to ensure the continued vitality and exceptional experience for which Scarsdale schools are so well-known.

I am thankful for all of the work that has been done here, by community volunteers, School District employees, and our professional advisors. I am proud of what we have done so far, but there is still a lot of work left to do to educate the public and gather support for the bond.  I am confident that the Scarsdale community will assess this project with an open mind and in good faith, as they have done so far, and I look forward to a favorable vote in May.”

BOE member Laura Lui shared, “The quality of our physical learning spaces is central to student experiences. As our buildings get older, there are a large amount of much-needed improvements that we must address…I believe the proposed bond scope strikes the right balance between needs and affordability. 

The incremental tax impact on households from this proposed bond is made more manageable by the anticipated reduction in debt service. Those previous bonds remind us that this community has continuously supported our schools. And now we need to do the same. 

The process that brought us to this proposed bond has been deliberate, transparent, and inclusive. Multiple perspectives were carefully considered, and members of the community as well as many constituent groups spoke not only for their own needs but also for the broader good of the district. In that sense, the bond process itself is an exercise of our school value of non sibi — not only for one self, but also for service to others.”

In her statement Colleen Brown related, “Scarsdale has always taken pride in supporting its students and maintaining a school system that families value. For more than 200 years, our community has understood that investing in education is an investment in our future.

As a board member, I recognize that asking residents to support a $101 million bond is significant. However, it is also necessary. Our buildings are aging, many systems are reaching the end of their useful life, and several spaces no longer meet the needs of today’s students. Addressing issues such as outdated HVAC systems, overcrowded school buildings, and aging learning spaces is essential to maintaining the high standard of education Scarsdale is known for.

Our schools are one of the primary reasons families choose to move to Scarsdale, and they remain central to the strength of our community and our property values. This bond allows us to modernize our facilities, better support our students, and ensure that future generations continue to benefit from the exceptional education our district provides.

For these reasons, I strongly support this bond and believe it represents an important investment in both our students and the long-term vitality of the Scarsdale community.”

Adding his perspective as a resident who no longer has children in the school system, Bob Klein shared, “As both a School Board member and Scarsdale community resident that is an empty nester, I have viewed the proposed bond through both lenses and want to confirm that I believe the proposed bond represents an appropriate balance between my fiscal responsibility and my commitment to support the school district in providing an education for all students that is inclusive and demonstrates vision for what our youth will require to enter the adult world with the skills to be successful in whatever avenue the pursue. This balance was not easy or simple to achieve but I am confident it acknowledges the community's priorities as well as being consistent with the strategic plan the district has embarked on.”

In her thoughtful statement, Suzie Hahn echoed many of the aforementioned sentiments and added, “The scope of work upholds strongly held values in Scarsdale as articulated in our Strategic Plan of Learning, Living, and Leading - allowing us to preserve class sizes at the elementary level, for example, as well as further developing student centered community spaces throughout our schools. This bond responds to the fact that the way we teach and learn has evolved, and will continue to evolve to meet the changing needs of our students.”

Amber Yusef’s comment also voiced her support for the proposed bond in which she stated, “Comments we received show a thoughtful community focused on fiscal discipline, prioritization, and fairness. Residents asked for clarity around costs, careful project scoping, and reassurance that investments address core needs such as safety, infrastructure, and long-term reliability. These are expectations of good stewardship, not objections to progress.

This bond reflects those values. It prioritizes essential building systems, health and safety improvements, and facilities that support high-quality education today while preparing for the future. Choices were made, some needs deferred, and discipline is evident in the plan.”

Leah Dembitzer shared her passionate support of the proposed bond by saying, “The schools are the crown jewel of our community; they are central to Scarsdale’s identity. They unite us, enhancing our lives in so many ways. We must invest in our schools over time and this is one such moment as there is need and significant debt is rolling off in 2027-28. 

Buildings that were built 100 years ago – such as Fox Meadow, Edgewood and even Scarsdale High School – were not set-up and designed for teaching and learning as is currently taking place in public education. 

I strongly believe that the proposed improvements, which will touch all seven of our schools, will make an incredible impact on teaching and learning, and the education and development of the whole child. 

I’d like to comment specifically on how I view the Scarsdale Schools’ approach to educating and enriching the whole child. The “whole child” is not just a phrase used in an empty way; it is a very real effort and experience cultivated within our school community. Educating the whole child is more than just offering a required math class; rather, it’s inspiring and nurturing the passions and interests of our students. The realization of this concept empowers our students by giving them the tools and support needed to develop the myriad facets of their character, bringing them joy, learning and edification in ways beyond rote memorization and studying for a test. I strongly believe in this concept and I believe that the crux of this bond is about furthering this essential school community value. 

This bond focuses on enhancing the spatial experience of several of our buildings; creating classrooms, libraries, multi-use spaces that are current, engaging and collaborative. It focuses on repairing and rejuvenating the fields where our students play and learn, where they become good teammates, where they learn to win or lose and to be stronger physically and mentally. This bond will provide dignified spaces for nuanced support services now essential to public education and student well-being. This bond will touch several of our libraries – at Fox Meadow, Heathcote, Scarsdale Middle School and Scarsdale High School - improving and renovating hubs of student learning and collaborative work. Further, this bond adds air conditioning to our largest spaces, which will allow our students to use and enjoy a space throughout the school year and summer; fostering and furthering the development of the whole child in a healthier, safer, cooled space.

The process of building this bond made me realize, internalize that we are creating, visioning, not just for this moment but for the future of our community. I take that responsibility very seriously; preserving the schools not only for our current students but protecting and enhancing our spaces and grounds for future generations, for the future children of Scarsdale. I appreciate the work of the district, my fellow board members, and especially the engagement of our incredible community. We are Scarsdale - we are leaders in public education. I am proud to vote yes on the bond resolution to preserve our schools, not just for us but for the future, non sibi.”

Other Board Meeting Highlights

Assistant Superintendent of Human Resources, Meghan Troy, reported several open teaching positions due to retirements, along with assistant principal vacancies at the middle school and Heathcote Elementary. Recruitment efforts are ongoing, with postings active and candidates applying following outreach at job fairs. Interviews are expected in the coming weeks, with hiring committees, including educators, administrators, and trained stakeholders, playing a central role. Final candidates will be presented to the Board later this spring.

In his Cabinet Update, Assistant Superintendent of Business, Andrew Lennon announced the arrival of its first electric school bus, which he described as “very quiet” and significantly different from traditional diesel models. The bus is expected to begin service soon after registration and driver training, supported by new charging infrastructure, as part of a broader push toward sustainability and in response to state requirements.

Additionally, the Board approved contracts for a new high school turf practice field, with construction expected to be completed before graduation.

Public Comment

During public comment, Erika Rublin, current SHS PTA President, urged the district to reconsider deferring a full-time math teaching position.

“While we understand the fiscal pressures,” Rublin said, “we respectfully request that the district reconsider the deferral… We’re concerned about its impact on the student experience.”

Rublin, speaking on behalf of the SHS PTA Executive Committee, noted that class sizes already exceed 25 students in multiple math sections and 28 in physics, arguing that continued staffing constraints could undermine both instructional quality and flexibility for students.

“Sufficient staffing is required to maintain this flexibility,” she added, referencing the school’s ability to adjust student placement midyear. “We believe we are now at an inflection point where staying under the tax cap may have a direct impact on our students’ experience.”

Residents Voice Strong Opposition to Artificial Turf

Multiple residents spoke at length about concerns surrounding artificial turf, with several urging the district to reconsider or pause planned installations.

One speaker, a practicing physician, described synthetic fields as “costly and an environmental nightmare, toxic for humans and devastating for our environment,” arguing that natural grass fields could be re-engineered to meet playability needs. She cited growing concern over PFAS chemicals and referenced warnings from Mount Sinai Health System and other health organizations.

“There’s no safe level,” she said of certain chemicals, adding, “what you’re putting on our fields… is affecting everyone. It’s not just your six-year-old—it’s our Earth.”

In addition to environmental and health concerns, another resident pointed to concerns about long-term costs and drainage issues, arguing that synthetic fields require expensive replacement cycles and may not perform as intended during heavy weather events.

A third speaker echoed environmental concerns while highlighting community sentiment. “I’m very concerned about the use of inorganic material… for surfaces our children are going to play on,” he said, adding that many families moving into the area increasingly prioritize sustainability and health considerations.

In his Response to Public Comment, Dr. Drew Patrick acknowledged the range of perspectives and clarified that Butler Field remains the only synthetic field currently in use. Any future turf decisions, particularly those tied to long-term capital planning, would come before the Board at a later stage.

Patrick also emphasized that the district continues to balance competing priorities, including educational quality, fiscal constraints, and environmental responsibility, as it moves forward with planning for the upcoming school year.

To watch the meeting in its entirety see here.