Residents Defend Scarsdale School Board President

Scarsdale Board of Education President James DuganUpdated April 21, 2026: Following an antisemitic incident at Scarsdale High School last week, dueling petitions are circulating among residents: one calling for the resignation of Jim Dugan, the President of the Board of Education, and a counter petition in support of him.

Why do they want him to vacate his seat on the Board? Because after the pro-Israel flyers were placed in urinals, the Board President’s daughter, who attends boarding school, posted a photo of the flyer in the urinal on Instagram with an inflammatory message. However, after she realized that it was inappropriate, she quickly took it down and offered a statement of apology.

In case some in the community have not read her statement – or the statement from James Dugan, they are both posted below.

Around town, some residents are surprised that an errant Instagram post from a student who is not in the Scarsdale Schools could require her Dad to resign from the Board, after 4 ½ years of service, the last two as VP and President.

Here is a comment from Michelle Sterling and David Fenigstein, longtime Scarsdale neighbors. They said, “Like so many in our community, we were deeply upset by the recent antisemitic incident at Scarsdale High School. It was wrong, hurtful, and completely unacceptable. At the same time, while a student’s decision to repost the incident in a supportive way was a serious mistake, she is 17 years old, and that mistake should not lead to the vilification of her, her family, or calls to ruin their lives. We have known this family for many years, and, as Jewish residents, we can say they are among the kindest, most open, and inclusive people we know, and are the opposite of what they are being accused of. What happened at SHS deserves accountability, but placing the weight of this entire incident on one family is not right. We’re truly pained by what happened at the school, but we’re not going to answer it with a call for more harm. None of us are perfect, and we’ve all faced moments where our children make serious mistakes. We must find a constructive way to address wrongdoing with accountability, while still maintaining compassion and civility.” --Michelle Sterling (Fenigstein) and David Fenigstein

Claudia Green and Noah Kroloff said, "We have known Jim and his wife as friends and neighbors for many years. They are unassailable in character. This is a couple who once dropped by simply to bring us an apple cake for Rosh Hashanah and who stood with us in tears after October 7. They understand what religious persecution and exclusion look like, having experienced it within their own family history.

What happened at SHS was unacceptable, and our community is right to feel anger and fear in the face of yet another act of antisemitism. But we also have a responsibility to respond with perspective. When young people make regrettable choices, there must be accountability, but there must also be room for learning and redemption.

This is a moment for all of us to engage with our children about what it means to live in a diverse community and world. These are the years when both their judgment and character are shaped. Mistakes, even serious ones, can be teaching moments if we confront them with compassion rather than cruelty.

We hope we can all come together as a community grounded in our shared values. Let’s hold firm against hate while also lifting up those who have stumbled, helping them move from ignorance toward understanding. That is not weakness, it is our responsibility.

Diane Greenwald said, "I abhor antisemitism and all forms of hate and I get that when people feel afraid and vulnerable they may retreat to safe spaces, but we are stronger as allies with others who also feel vulnerable than in isolation. In this moment, when assumptions and accusations run rampant, I hope we can instead give grace, as one community.

School Board President Jim Dugan is a good person, an elected volunteer from within the community, and should not be forced to resign under a false cloud of antisemitism. That would be a travesty and simply wrong. He is not a hateful man.

We raise our kids here to be critical thinkers, who practice their voices, sometimes to great effect and sometimes making mistakes and missteps. And if they falter, we catch them when we can, and teach them. We learn from them too. We hope to give teens tools to evaluate the swarming information highway that consumes us all and we may not meet this need fast enough or with enough nuance. We also know much happens between teens that we do not see and we must walk humbly through their worlds to ensure they are safe and loved, thriving and growing.  Again, I hope we will never judge or condemn children, but offer privacy for learning."

And here is a letter to the community from James Dugan – with his daughter’s apology below:

To the Scarsdale Community:

I make this statement as a parent, a member of the Scarsdale community, and a school board member. Recent events have provided a profound teaching moment for me as a parent and have impacted me and my family. To begin, I want to be clear about where I stand regarding the conduct at Scarsdale High School that came to light on Friday, April 17, 2026. I condemn that conduct, as I do any conduct that condones antisemitism or otherwise targets any religion, ethnicity, race or nationality for negative or disparaging treatment. I strongly believe in the fundamental worth and dignity of each member of our human community. I hold these beliefs firmly and full-heartedly, and I fully support our District in taking a strong stand against antisemitism and against any conduct that targets a religion, race, or ethnicity for negative treatment.

As a parent, I will focus on healing my family. But as a school board member, my focus will continue to be on our students, our schools, and our educational program. I am fully committed to following through on our mission, which is to support each student’s full development, enabling them to be effective and independent contributors in a democratic society within an interdependent world. That mission is as meaningful now as it has ever been. I look forward to continuing to be part of the Board’s work in support of our students and our schools.

Very truly yours
James C. Dugan

(From Dugan’s daughter)
“I foolishly posted that angry, obnoxious meme about the flyers at Scarsdale High School. Realizing my mistake, I quickly took it down because I know it was offensive and inappropriate and I wish I had never posted it. Nothing about that represents my values or those of my family. I’m sorry I did it and have learned a real lesson from the response.”

What do you think? Post your comments below. Please include your first and last name and your email address.