Enhanced Technology and Help for Young Readers Proposed at Second Budget Study Session

The second budget study session for the Scarsdale Schools 2015-16 school budget covering instruction, technology, special education and transportation was finally convened on February 11, 2015 after several weather delays. Though the administration is proposing budget increases ranging from 2-25% for these areas, the current estimate for the overall budget will require a 2.64% tax increase for Scarsdale and Mamaroneck strip residents, which is .29% below the allowable tax cap of 2.93%.

Instruction, presented by Lynne Shain, Assistant Superintendant for Instruction

Ms. Shain's opening slide showed a spiral depicting the teaching and learning cycle: Curriculum (what we teach), Instruction (how we teach) and Assessment (how we measure learning). She went on to discuss how the proposed budget supports this cycle.

The instruction budget is calling for an increase of almost 2%. Specific line items include continued support for struggling learners at the elementary level, STEM/STEAM initiatives for K-12, professional development specifically targeted for curriculum design, Arts and Aesthetics education, Scarsdale Teachers Institute (professional development for teachers), the Interdependence Institute (fostering a sense of global awareness and global citizenship in students), the Center for Innovation, sustainability, and curriculum research and assessment (covering visiting professors and other experts to help evaluate programs).

Based on the public comments (summarized at the end of this article) a major piece of discussion will focus on the proposal for a delay in the commencement of Spanish instruction from first grade to second grade. In order to support first and second graders who are struggling with literacy skills, the Administration is recommending adding an English Language Arts helping teacher and 2.5 Reading Specialists (½ day at each elementary school). In addition to hiring personnel, time to deliver instruction would be required and moving Spanish to second grade allows for more literacy skills teaching time.

Technology, presented by Jerry Crisci, Director of Technology

Mr. Crisci proposed a department reorganization, new equipment and increased service and support.

The technology budget is extensive and difficult to forecast due to the increasing rate of technology development and rapidly changing costs (both rising and decreasing) of equipment. It covers the technical needs of the District and also responds to demands for curriculum delivery such as coding instruction for K-12. The budget covers a wide range of technology concerns including the purchase, maintenance and support of equipment, network infrastructure, internet services, network security, installation and maintenance of audiovisual equipment, support for instructional technology and preparation of teaching materials, library technology, sound and stage lighting systems, and the installation and maintenance of mounted classroom technology such as SmartBoards. The department also hosts and provides programming for the District's public access channels.

The department will be reorganized to provide a greater focus on instruction, to streamline technical operations, and improve their efficiency and coverage (having duplication of skills among several positions in order to back-up absent personnel). Crisci proposed the merger of Administrative Technology and Technical Services, into a single Information Technology Department to be managed by Rachel Moseley who is currently the District's Chief Information Officer. Under this new heading, the department will manage behind the scenes technology needs and items such as student information (attendance, report cards), state reporting requirements, personnel records, payroll, email systems, purchasing, inventory control, repairs and maintenance, internet, A/V services, wireless services, phone system and mobile device support. Mr. Crisci would become the Director of Instructional Technology and Innovation allowing him to focus more time on addressing the increasing demands for curriculum and instructional development.

The proposed budget for Administrative Technology would increase by 25% over last year. Some of the specific items include hiring an additional technical support staff member, upgrading library technology, iPads for Grade K-3, Chromebooks for 7th Graders, phasing in the replacement of SmartBoards in high school classrooms (purchased over 8 years ago, many are beyond warranty) with LED screen versions. LED versions represent the latest technology, provide a crisp pictures, consume a lot less energy and do not require the replacement of costly bulbs.

This budget also requests funds for the redesign and maintenance of the district web site, helping to facilitate the distribution of online documents and decreasing paper use. One key piece of the redesign will address issues students and parents experience when trying to access information from tablets and mobile devices. Using Responsive Web Design, the website will automatically adjust its user interface based on the type of device being used for access at the time.

Special Education, presented by Eric Rauschenbach, Director of Special Education

The proposed budget would increase 7% and include additional funds for out-of-district placements. Currently, about 10% of classified students are serviced out-of-district but the district is seeing an increase in the number of students with social/emotional disabilities who access out-of-district placements. Mr. Rauschenbach noted this trend is being identified regionally and nationally too. The proposal also includes an allocation for professional development and the purchase of common assessment tools. The department has identified two major areas of need: services for students with social/emotional needs and continuity of assessment and program delivery. The goal is to expand capacity for providing services to emotionally disabled students within the district. Also, the Middle School will require one additional Special Education teacher to cover increased enrollment in the Parallel Program next year. The District plans to contract for occupational therapy services through an outside agency at an estimated net savings of approximately $31,000.

Transportation, presented by Linda Purvis, Assistant Superintendent for Business

The transportation budget is calling for the purchase of new vehicles to add to the District's rapidly aging fleet. There are some savings projected as a result of lower fuel costs, but overall there is an increase of approximately 6% requested for the transportation budget.

Public Comment

Several community members posed questions during the comment/question period. The Board stated that all questions would be noted and responded to at a later meeting targeted for March 2. Speakers included Diane Greenwald, Amy Hosseinbukus, Bob Harrison and others. For the community members who spoke at this meeting the common themes include:

• Whether the focus on literacy in the early grades is in response to a demonstrated need or due to low scores on mandated testing.
• Opposition to removing Spanish instruction from grade 1 (currently 80 minutes of instruction every 6 days) in order to implement the literacy curriculum in question.
• Support for Mandarin language instruction in the middle school. Mayra Kirkendall-Rodriguez of Fox Meadow Road made a statement asking the Board to add instruction in Mandarin to the middle school curriculum.
• Support for a consistent literacy curriculum across all grades/schools in the elementary schools.

Mary Beth Evans, Chair of the School Budget Study Committee of the League of Women Voters, posed several questions quoted below.

"Approximately what percentage of non-classified K-3 elementary students do you anticipate will require extra support in order to achieve faster progression in reading?

Can you explain the proposed change in reading emphasis, along with the new state-mandated Response to Intervention, in the context of Scarsdale's overall approach to the development of our youngest learners? For example, what has been Scarsdale's balance of direct instruction versus hands-on, experiential, inquiry based learning? Is this balance now shifting, and with what effect on that which makes us stand out from other districts?

About what percentage of the increase in the staff development budget represents real growth in opportunities for professional development, as opposed to increases in salary related costs? And, now that we have a younger faculty engaged in transforming their classrooms to meet the goals outlined in "A Scarsdale Education for Tomorrow," is professional development in all categories keeping pace with teacher demand?

From the Bond process last year the community got a clearer idea about how we have invested, or not invested, in our buildings, and what we need to do going forward. In order for the community to gain a similar understanding of our investment in the area of educational programs/services and professional development, can you tell us what this proposed budget does in terms of new educational programs or services, as well as real growth in opportunities for professional development? And can you provide us some historical perspective on the growth in our investment in these areas over time – including before and after the Recession?

Does the fact of the current budget proposal falling nearly $400K below the tax cap have implications for future budgets that could make it more challenging to invest in new educational programs and/or services?"

Margot Milberg, Fox Meadow PTA President, questioned why the front office staff and physical education staff at Fox Meadow school is being reduced. She urged the Board to provide the rationale for these decisions and also to reconsider them given the size of the school's population.

A third budget study meeting was held on Thursday, February 12, 2015 covering the topics of Employee Benefits, Debt Service and Fund Balance. Community members are encouraged to watch all meetings on the Board of Education's video-on-demand site, and to review the preliminary budget also available on the site. The next budget meeting is scheduled for March 2, 2015.

Kindergarten Registration:

Registration for incoming kindergarten students (for the 2015-2016 school year) will be held in all five of the Scarsdale elementary schools (Edgewood, Fox Meadow, Greenacres, Heathcote and Quaker Ridge) from Monday, March 2 to Friday, March 6. Students may be registered between 9 AM and 3 PM.

Children whose fifth birthday falls on or before December 31, 2015 may be registered. Documents needed include immunization records, proof of age such as birth certificate or passport, and proof of residency, along with the registration forms and instructions, which may be downloaded here (on the District Web site, click on the Parents dropdown menu, and then on "Student Registration" ) or obtained at the school.

Proof of residency can be either in the form of a copy of the deed for a house, or a signed rental agreement (lease), plus a utility bill. Please be aware that some homes in this area have a Scarsdale mailing address, but are not within the Scarsdale School District. If there is any doubt, you may contact the District office for verification: 914-721-2444. Enrollment in one of our five elementary schools is determined by the neighborhood in which you live.

If you have any questions concerning registration, please call your neighborhood elementary school.