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Written by: Sammy Silberberg

Published: 03 May 2021

Created: 03 May 2021

Last Updated: 04 May 2021

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What’s your view of the role of the Board of Education in setting and implementing district policy? How much oversight should they exercise and should individual board members be permitted to speak their minds? Do you want to maintain the status quo or are you itching for a change in school board leadership?

Choosing the most qualified and passionate candidates to serve in local government is one of the most powerful tools citizens can use to see changes implemented in their community. In the upcoming election for the school board and budget on May 18, 2021, the Scarsdale community will choose between four candidates to fill two open positions on the Scarsdale School Board of Education (BOE). The candidates running are Jim Dugan, Irin Israel, Jessica Resnick-Ault, and incumbent School Board Vice President Alison Tepper Singer. Resnick-Ault and Dugan were endorsed by the non-partisan Scarsdale School Board Nominating Committee (SBNC). Many other community members, as well as past and current BOE members, have spoken out in support of Singer, whose impressive credentials and volunteer experience won her a seat in her last election.

On Sunday, May 2, the Scarsdale League of Women Voters hosted a Candidate Forum so that voters could hear directly from each candidate. Candidates had one minute and 30 seconds to respond to each question posed by moderator Sheila Miller Berson. You can view the entire forum HERE.

Beginning with opening statements, Resnick-Ault introduced herself as a journalist, union leader, parent, and volunteer. Dugan introduced himself as a lawyer and advocate, the founder of the Coalition for Scarsdale Schools, a volunteer with the Citizen’s Nominating Committee, and the President of the Fox Meadow Overhill Association. In his opening statement, Israel focused on the current Board’s lack of transparency and his qualifications to change Board culture. Finally, Singer highlighted how her experience as BOE Vice President, as a community volunteer, and as an advocate for children with special needs qualify her for reelection.

Ms. Berson began by asking each candidate what they thought Scarsdale’s most pressing issues are. Dugan answered that recovering from COVID and gaining back parent and community trust are the most critical concerns. Israel added that the Board must do more for the youngest and most vulnerable learners and mentioned that while the Board’s new Diversity and Equity Initiative (DEI) is a great step forward, he wants to see a specific action plan put in place. He also highlighted the need to improve Board culture and work on transparency, oversight, and communication. Singer wants to prioritize student and faculty mental health and wellness, distill the positives from the COVID crisis that the district should keep, and refocus on critical board work that was put on the back burner during the pandemic. Resnick-Ault stated that as a reporter, she has spent two decades covering major disasters and her focus would be on conducting a postmortem. She wants to ask questions and learn what Scarsdale did well and poorly during the pandemic. Resnick-Ault also spoke about implementing the DEI policy and unifying the Board and the Administration.

Next, the moderator asked Singer and Dugan how they would allocate a hypothetical $5 million windfall for the school district. Singer advocated for increasing mental health and wellness resources and managing the school’s unassigned fund balance. Because of unanticipated COVID expenditures, the unassigned balance is currently at 3% instead of the ideal 4%, and Singer would use these funds to replenish the fund balance so that the district can access the market with an improved credit rating. Dugan said that he would invest this money to foster educational excellence and focus on our youngest children.

When Dugan was asked what methods he would implement to ensure that he heard from, and engaged with, a wide swath of the community, he answered with a call to reevaluate the Board’s “Speak With One Voice” policy. He stated that the Board needs to do a better job listening to the community and he doesn’t want to refer the community to outside sources or make them wait to speak directly with the Board. Answering the same question, Israel stressed that the current Board does not address concerns from community engagement. While the BOE replies to every email, he claims that these responses are vague and formulaic. Additionally, he complained about the Board’s vote to curtail public comment and called out Singer as the member who put forward this motion and wanted even more stringent reductions to public comment. Singer later responded by claiming that the time restriction was implemented so that the Board would have time to hear from more community members during meetings.

Another question, directed to Singer and Resnick-Ault, asked how the candidates would meaningfully implement the BOE’s new DEI policy. Singer stated that the goal of the policy is “to build and protect an educational ecosystem where all students feel welcomed and accepted… it’s not about censoring any points of view.” She went on to say that it’s about celebrating differences and not tolerating bigotry or hate of any kind. Singer is confident that the school faculty will lead these important conversations. Resnick-Ault said that she has the experience to implement the policy at a curricular and hiring level. She spoke of her hiring practices as a reporter where she looked outside of traditional journalism schools. Resnick-Ault declared that “it wasn’t surprising that we found great candidates in overlooked places… if you want a diverse pool of candidates you need to actively search for it.” She went on to voice her concern that Edgewood School, which has almost 50% Asian students, does not have a single Asian classroom teacher.

Later, the moderator asked candidates what they thought the BOE’s role is in a hypothetical situation where a group of parents is lobbying for a policy change to allow middle schoolers to leave the campus for lunch. Israel answered that communication and safety are the most important things. He asserted that his primary concern is to make sure the parents’ request is “legitimately and openly discussed so they understand the reasoning in the final decision.” Resnick-Ault took a slightly different approach and stated that while the Board represents parents, they must listen to the educators and the safety experts. She highlighted the need to distinguish between what is in the best interest of education and the community versus what a niche group of parents is asking for. The Board must ask the right questions and determine how many people would be impacted by the policy change and evaluate what the negative ramifications might be.

During closing statements, Singer reiterated the idea that BOE members must come in with an “open mind and not an agenda… Board members need to be trusted to carefully and objectively weigh all opinions and facts.” Israel highlighted that he has spoken up throughout the pandemic and then questioned if Singer did enough during her term to improve things for vulnerable children. Dugan emphasized that, along with Resnick-Ault, he was endorsed by the SBNC and that he has spent his life as an advocate and is ready to bring his skills and passion to the Board. Resnick-Ault underscored the need to be prepared for the changing needs of students this upcoming school year and that her credentials as a journalist have prepared her to ask the necessary questions.

Each candidate was fully prepared for the forum and spoke passionately about the issues. Israel was the most outspoken in terms of criticizing the current Board and reiterated that he would be an advocate for parents. Singer did an effective job of explaining the Board’s rationale for certain decisions, and she showcased herself to be a dedicated public servant and advocate of students with special needs. Dugan stressed that his skills as an attorney and volunteer have prepared him to be a Board member who listens to the needs of the community and responds directly. Finally, Resnick-Ault positioned herself as a journalist and investigator who will root out issues and come to common-sense solutions. Each candidate presented his or her strengths during the forum, and it will be up to the Scarsdale Voters on May 18th to select two candidates to serve on the School Board.

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Written by: Joanne Wallenstein

Published: 21 April 2021

Created: 21 April 2021

Last Updated: 06 May 2021

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Voting for the School Board and School Budget will take place on Tuesday May 18 from 7 am to 9 pm at Scarsdale Congregational Church, 1 Heathcote Road, Scarsdale. Here's what you need to know from the League of Women Voters of Scarsdale.

The voting procedures for the Scarsdale School Board Election and School Budget Vote are as follows.

Eligibility to Vote

To be eligible to vote in this election, you must be:

● registered with the Westchester County Board of Elections to vote in the General Elections - OR -
● registered with the Scarsdale Public School District and have voted in a school election within the past four years.

Registration Information

To be qualified to register to vote, you must be:

● at least 18 years of age
● a United States citizen; and
● have continuously resided in the Scarsdale Public School District for a period of at least 30 days immediately preceding the date of the election.

To find out if you are already registered to vote in this election, enter your information on the SUFSD Poll Place Finder/Am I Registered Form.

Two Ways to Register

1. To register with the Westchester County Board of Elections, qualified voters can either:

● complete and submit the online voter registration application with the New York State Department of Motor Vehicles - OR -
● download and complete the printed voter registration form which can be submitted in person or by mail to the Westchester County Board of Elections. Note: Mailed registration forms must be received by the County Board of Elections in time to be processed by May 18, 2021, the date of the vote.
● Anyone who submits one of these registration forms (whether electronically, by mail, or in person) is thereby registered to vote with Westchester County and with the school district for all future school elections.

2. To register with the Scarsdale Public School District, qualified voters may personally register (by appointment only during the COVID-19 pandemic) with the office of the District Clerk located at Scarsdale High School, 2 Brewster Road, Scarsdale, NY 10583.

● Contact the District Clerk at (914) 721-2410 or at hadams@scarsdaleschools.org to schedule an appointment to complete and sign the school district voter registration form in person no later than 5:00 p.m. on Thursday, May 13, 2021.
● On the date and time of the scheduled appointment, voters are asked to use the Brewster Road entrance of the High School (by the auditorium) and check in with the safety monitor.
● Mask-wearing is mandatory and COVID-19 protocols will be in place.
● Note that voters who register with the school district are thereby registered to vote only in this and future school elections.

Absentee Ballot Information

● Monday, April 19: First day the Clerk can receive applications for absentee ballots.
● Absentee ballot application forms are available to download and print. Completed applications may be submitted via email to hadams@scarsdaleschools.org or by regular mail or in-person to Honore Adams, District Clerk, 2 Brewster Road.
● Note: voters can still apply to vote by absentee ballot using the temporary illness clause if there is a risk of contracting a disease (such as COVID-19).

● Tuesday, May 11: Last day for the Clerk to receive applications for absentee ballots to be mailed to qualified voters.

● Monday, May 17: Last day for the Clerk to receive in-person applications for absentee ballots.

● Tuesday, May 18: Date of School Budget Vote and School Board Election. Last day for the Clerk to receive absentee ballots in person or by mail, by 5 p.m.

Questions regarding the Candidate Forum or the School Budget Vote and School Board Election should be directed to Alissa Baum and Beatrice Sevcik, the LWVS Voter Service Chairs.

For additional information, please visit the Scarsdale Schools Election Information Page or the LWVS School Budget/BOE Voter Information page.

Alissa Baum
Beatrice Sevcik
League of Women Voters Scarsdale, Voter Service

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Written by: Sammy Silberberg

Published: 14 April 2021

Created: 14 April 2021

Last Updated: 14 April 2021

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In a sign that the crisis is slowly abating, the Board of Education convened an in-person meeting in the Board of Education room, each board member masked and surrounded by plexiglass, on Monday April 12, 2020. They were able to address issues beyond the COVID crisis and had a lengthy discussion on a proposed board policy on diversity and inclusion.

Update on the Journey Forward 

It was a big day for the district, as in-person classes resumed full-time for all middle school students. While there were some congestion and traffic hiccups during drop-off and pick-up, the administration plans to smooth out these issues over the next several days. Assistant Superintendent Eric Rauschenbach reported that kids were thrilled to be back in school and he was happy to see students in the classroom and using the outside grounds. The administration also reported that the full return at the high school is progressing and plans to open again for full-time in-person instruction for all students on Monday, April 19.

Social Distancing Guidelines Change

Superintendent Thomas Hagerman provided a critical update on the new CDC social distancing guidelines. These guidelines allow students, particularly elementary school students, to social distance inside the classroom three feet apart, a significant change from the previous guidance of six feet apart. This will dramatically improve the capacity to educate students and create a greater sense of normalcy in the classroom. The six-foot social distancing rule remains in place between adults and between adults and students. Additionally, six feet should be maintained when masks are removed for any reason, such as at lunchtime, or when an activity involves heavy breathing, such as physical education or choir. Six feet distancing also applies anytime students are outside of the classroom in common areas. The CDC also no longer recommends the use of barriers in the classroom. Despite this change, the administration states that a significant amount of time and resources were spent to obtain these barriers. Although no longer necessary by CDC standards, the administration emphasized the commitment they made to the community that these barriers would be in place when bringing back more in-person instruction. Thus, for the time being, these barriers will remain in the classroom.

Assistant Superintendent Stuart Mattey announced that the tents and picnic tables ordered for the middle and high schools will not be ready as originally anticipated. Despite several delays, however, the tents and tables should be ready for student use within the next month. This arrangement will allow students to comfortably spend their lunch hours outdoors and maintain COVID-19 safety protocol during nice weather.

COVID Tracking

Mr. Rauschenbach provided an update on the status of COVID-19 in the village. Currently, Scarsdale has 50 active COVID cases, which is up from 40 cases last week. The positivity rate in Westchester County is 4.48% and this rate is trending in the right direction. Over the last two weeks, there has been a small increase in cases, but that trend is currently settling down to the numbers Scarsdale experienced in mid-March.

Diversity and Equity Policy for Scarsdale Schools

The Board of Education spent considerable time discussing the proposed resolution: Policy 0105: Equity, Inclusivity, and Diversity in Education. Below find the most recent version of the policy proposal:

The Board of Education and Scarsdale Union Free School District are committed to creating and maintaining a positive and inclusive learning environment for all students, especially those currently and historically marginalized. As such, we are committed to ensuring that all students feel safe, included, welcomed, and accepted, and experience a sense of belonging and academic success.

We recognize that inclusive education is based on the principles of acceptance and inclusion of all members of the school community. Therefore, students and faculty should see themselves reflected in the curriculum, physical surroundings, staff/faculty representation, and the broader environment, in which diversity is honored and all individuals are respected.

In order to realize this goal, it is imperative that the Board, District employees and volunteers, and students understand the historical injustices and inequalities that have shaped our society and recognize and eliminate the institutional barriers, including racism and biases, that have and may continue to contribute to the disparate educational outcomes within our schools.

The Superintendent or designee(s) will ensure that curriculum and instructional materials reflect our shared commitment to educational equity. Curriculum and instructional materials for all grades shall reflect diversity and include a range of perspectives and experiences, particularly those of historically underrepresented groups. Curriculum materials shall be reviewed and examined for bias on a regular basis. Class instructional activities and extracurricular programs shall be designed and implemented to provide opportunities for cross-cultural and cross-racial interactions that foster respect for diversity and inclusivity.

The Superintendent or designee(s) will task the District Compact Committee with establishing goals and corresponding metrics related to this policy. The Committee will identify the multiple indicators necessary to monitor student outcomes, engagement, school climate, and specific data that will be used to ensure accountability for student, school, and District-wide performance.

There was a lengthy debate among Board members about designating this work to the District Compact Committee. Carl Finger stated that “this work is too important for the Compact Committee” because it is comprised of 32 people and he didn’t think the work could be addressed quickly enough. Mr. Finger suggested creating a Diversity and Inclusion Committee to run the implementation of the policy. Alison Tepper Singer pointed out that the Compact Committee is so large because it had diverse representation across the district and the schools, and that this could be a valuable asset to implementing the policy. Robert Klein added that he would like clear and tangible next steps to be outlined and asked for a defined organization of who or which committee would be in charge of implementation. Pam Fuehrer noted that the most effective solution might be to give Superintendent Hagerman as much flexibility as he needs to figure out which committee best aligns with the goals of the policy and what makes the most sense to him as the senior administrator. For now, the Board decided to remove the term “Compact Committee” from the draft while the best course of action is deliberated.

After making these adjustments, the Board voted unanimously to pass the policy resolution.

During Public Comment however, several constituents had issues to raise with the Board about the policy. Mayra Kirkendall Rodriguez  spoke about her strong support of the policy but asked that the Board clarify several points, such as the precise objectives of the policy and what communication tools the Board will use so that the work of the implementing body is transparent. Ms. Rodriguez Valladares also asked several specific questions about the content. She stated “The policy states that it is ‘“imperative that the Board, its officers, and employees, faculty and students be fully conversant in the historical injustices and inequalities that have shaped our society.’” Does that mean that the BOE, staff and administration will be trained on these issues? If so, how, by whom, and when? The policy states that “’The Superintendent or designee(s) will ensure that curriculum and instructional materials reflect the Board’s commitment to educational equity.’” What is the Board’s commitment to educational equity and could that change as the composition of the Board changes?”

The highlight of Public Comment came from two Scarsdale High School Seniors. Vivian Guo and Karen Lee who are the co-founders of the Asian Conscientization and Empowerment (ACE) Club, and reviewed the policy with their club members, and came to the Board with four suggestions for improvement:

1. They asked to begin the policy with a statement of accountability. While the overall language was positive, they believe the Board should reflect on past actions to pave the way for growth.

2. They asked the Board to clarify how they will implement diversity and representation programs.

3. They asked for clarification on the actors who will build and review the curriculum at Scarsdale. The students felt that a lot of the language was phrased passively, and they wanted to know who would be in charge of taking an active role in diversifying instructional materials and evaluating the curriculum.

4. They asked for clarity on the commitment to providing opportunities for cross-cultural and cross-racial interactions that foster respect for diversity and inclusivity in the classroom and extra-curricular programs. The students said that many of their friends and club members of color share a feeling of being alienated or otherized at school. They added that the study body tends to segregate into different ethnic clusters and that they see many marginalized students turning towards each other because they don’t feel comfortable sparking discussions with white counterparts. The students noted that the nature of the Board’s statement is vague, and they pushed the Board to elaborate on how they will reach all students with these changes.

The young women spoke eloquently, and their efforts reflect a thoughtful review and reflection of the policy proposal. Dr. Hagerman noted that the administration is committed to enhancing the clarity and specificity of the policy and hopefully, these students’ suggestions will be fully reviewed and addressed by the Board and the administration going forward.

The 2021-2022 Budget

After many months of dedicated work by the school administration, the $166 million proposed 2021-2022 budget was voted on by the Board. Among other things, the budget funds the continued support for special education programs, increased funding for mental health and social and emotional support resources, a COVID-19 budget strategy to handle the continued effects of the pandemic, and continued excellence in Scarsdale's education system. The board unanimously voted to pass the budget, and it received high praise from each Board member. The budget now moves to a vote by the town which will take place at Scarsdale Congregational Church on Tuesday, May 18, 2021.

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Written by: Joanne Wallenstein

Published: 08 April 2021

Created: 08 April 2021

Last Updated: 25 January 2024

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Scarsdale resident, volunteer and attorney Jim Dugan has been selected by the Scarsdale School Board Nominating Committee as a candidate for the Scarsdale School Board. He will be on the ballot along with SBNC nominated candidate Jessica Resnick-Ault and independent candidate Alison Singer for the election on May 18, 2021. We asked Dugan to share some information and views and here is what we learned:

Tell us about yourself and your family. What drew you to Scarsdale, when did you move here and what do you enjoy about living here.

My wife, Shirley Salmeron-Dugan, and I are the parents of three girls, Sophia, age 14, Serena, age 12, and Stella, age 10. The two older girls attend Scarsdale Middle School, and the youngest attends Fox Meadow Elementary School. We are an active family; all three children enjoy acting and musical performance; and the two older girls are competitive swimmers. Shirley and I have been married for 18 years; she is from Arizona, and I was born and raised in New York City, in Queens. Shirley and I moved to Scarsdale 15 years ago for the great public schools and the proximity to Manhattan, where we both worked at the time, and also because it is a lovely town. We have since made many friends in the community. We both love the beauty of the village and the many interesting and accomplished people we have met since moving here. Scarsdale is a great place to live because it has everything: great schools, great people, and a great sense of civic responsibility.

You’ve been involved in many volunteer committees in town. Tell us about your volunteer resume.

Since moving here, I have been active in community organizations as well as local religious organizations. I was elected to the Citizens Nominating Committee, and thereafter served on the Procedure Committee, and got a firsthand view of our non-partisan volunteer system in action. I also served on the Board of the Overhill Association as well as President of that Association, and was a member of SNAP – the Scarsdale Neighborhood Association Presidents. I co-founded, along with Arthur Rublin and others, the Coalition for Scarsdale Schools nine years ago to advocate against increased class sizes in the elementary schools. Shirley and I belong to the St. James the Less Episcopal Church, where I have served in the Parish Choir, as a member of the Vestry, and as a Warden.

How does your professional background complement your ability to serve on the Board of Education?

I have been a litigator and counselor for over 26 years, and I have spent much of my career advising corporate boards of directors, especially in times of crisis. Through this experience, I have learned how boards operate and have developed the skills necessary to participate meaningfully in the decision-making process. I also believe that this experience will serve me well in working with other Board members to assess and respond to matters that come before the Board. As a litigator, I have honed public speaking, advocacy, listening and consensus building skills, and I have learned to quickly assess and understand problems, think critically about solutions, and work to achieve best outcomes. If I am elected, I will bring all of these skills to bear.

Why did you decide to run for the School Board this year?

This has been a challenging year for everyone; I really wanted to contribute my time and energy to help the community as it recovers from and adjusts to the pandemic experience. I have long believed that one of Scarsdale’s greatest assets as a community is its public schools, and I especially wanted to devote my volunteer efforts to help support the excellence of our schools at this time.

With three children in the Scarsdale Schools, how was your life changed by the pandemic and the closing of schools this year?
The pandemic and the closing of the schools has been difficult for everybody, and my family is no different. We have had to adjust to a radically different school experience, and all three of my children have reacted differently. My wife and I have had to be more active in our children’s education experience in order to keep them focused in a setting where many distractions loom. It has been challenging but in many ways it has brought us closer together as a family.

What are your views on the way decisions were made regarding remote schooling and the timing of the re-opening of schools? As a resident, did you feel the process was open and transparent?

As a resident, there were times when I would have appreciated a better line-of-sight into the process and timing of re-opening our schools. In addition, many in the community feel that the process should have been more open and transparent and I think their concerns are valid.

Past Board protocol calls for the Board of Education to “speak as one,” sometimes preventing those with differing viewpoints to speak out. Do you agree with this policy? How can Board members exercise oversight if they are not permitted to offer their opinions?

I do not wish to take issue with specific Board policies in connection with the election; however, if elected I will come to the position with an open mind and without any preconceived notion in favor of any particular policy, especially if there are compelling reasons to go in a different direction.

What are your personal goals for service on the Board of Education and how do you feel you can add to the mix?

My personal goals for service on the Board, if elected, are to hit the ground running and make an immediate contribution to the Board’s deliberative process. I am a strong believer in the power of education to mold lives and build minds. I am also a believer in public education as a key to building strong and successful communities. I am running on the SBNC slate because I believe strongly in maintaining the excellence of the Scarsdale Public Schools, and I bring to that position decades of experience in advocacy and community volunteer leadership. I and my fellow SBNC slate candidate, Jessica Resnick-Ault, will bring a fresh perspective to the Board, one that is firmly rooted in the voice of our community.

Anything else you want to add is welcome.

Thank you for this opportunity to address our community.