Our Public Schools: An Update from Our Superintendents of Schools

by Janet Bear

Dr. Robert Shaps, Superintendent of Mamaroneck Schools and Dr. Eric Lutinski, Superintendent of Rye Neck Schools, spoke to the community via the Larchmont-Mamaroneck Local Summit webinar on Tuesday, April 11th, providing an overview of their recommended budgets for the 2023-34 school year and sharing an update on current operations and plans for next year.

After thanking the community for their civic engagement throughout his 13-year tenure, Dr. Shaps spoke of the current challenges facing the schools including the national political discourse, the impact of social media, artificial intelligence, and the overall changes in higher education admissions policy. He spoke of the importance of prioritizing the students ability to think independently, to evaluate the veracity of information, and focus on inquiry. This is the hallmark of Mamaroneck schools. When developing the budget, enrollment, and its impact upon class size is an important factor. Shaps mentioned that, while the overall student headcount of 5400 has been consistent over the past few years, the incoming kindergarten class is trending smaller (395-400 students) while the high school will have its largest enrollment since the 70’s in September, at 1700 students.

The Mamaroneck Superintendent’s proposed school budget for 2023-24 is $155.5 million. While this represents a 3.9% budget to budget increase, the overall tax rate will drop .55%. This budget is under the tax cap. The budget includes the new 3-year teachers contract which was recently negotiated and adds two new STEM teaching positions at the elementary school as well as a special education position for English language learners and District director positions including an Assistant Athletic Director, a Director Performing Arts K-12, a Literacy Director K-3 and a Director of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion. The budget continues the expansion of several programs including AP Statistics (125 students currently enrolled in this new program), a Bridges in Math program at the elementary schools and the work with two researchers on the issue of “Belonging” through a culture of dignity.

Dr. Lutinski spoke about the importance of dialogue with students given the multitude of sources and information available today. The goals of this year’s budget are to maintain the breadth of course work, focus on mental wellness and maximize the efficiencies for the staff in a small school district. At $49.7 million, this year's budget has a 4.53% spending increase, but does not exceed the tax cap. Like Mamaroneck, enrollment has been stable with a small increase in the K-2 and middle school classes and a slight decrease in grades 3-5 and high school. Thanks to NY State Foundation Aid funding, Rye Neck was able to hire a Special Education teacher, a High School Counselor (going from 3 to 4) and increase their security by remodeling the high school entrance. In the area of mental wellness, the school will have in-house therapeutic support enabling it to provide help to students, parents and staff.

During the Q&A session we learned that both school districts are working on improving social interactions post pandemic and continuing to work with families. Shaps noted increased student participation in extracurricular activities such as music and sports and Lutinski mentioned budget increases in the area of extracurricular activities.

Each superintendent spoke about their recent renovations. Rye Neck completed a capital project building a STEAM wing with eight new science classrooms at the high school and a new gymnasium for the middle school. Mamaroneck is getting ready to open their new 5,000 square foot STEAM, CoLAB (Computer Science/Engineering) and Culinary Lab which will rival many college facilities.

When asked about demographics, both superintendents mentioned the recent increase in students with English as a new language (ENL) as well as an increase in SIFE students (Students with Interrupted Formal Education). These students require special staffing to assist them academically and with social services.

Both superintendents were asked about what they are doing to help the environment. Lutinski noted that all new construction has been built according to the new green standards. While expanding the high school parking area, Rye Neck is aware of the need to maintain their green space. Lutinski also noted that the nearby brook and Marshlands Conservancy are used by the students for study and they cooperated with the Village of Mamaroneck on the recent brook clean-out. In the Mamaroneck district, in addition to partnering with the Sheldrake Nature Center, the students have championed dual stream recycling, food waste initiatives, and the teachers began a bee-keeping program. Shaps stated “Sustainability is a core part of our learning program”.

Both Superintendents encouraged their constituents to support the school budget and vote on Tuesday, May 16th. As Dr. Shaps will be retiring from the district at the end of this calendar year, The Local Summit thanked him for all the work he has done for the district and for his annual Local Summit presentations and Dr. Shaps thanked the community and school system for their overall support. “It has been a wonderful journey.”

The Larchmont/Mamaroneck Local Summit is an informal community council that seeks to make a better life for the community by keeping it informed of major issues of concern. Our next meeting will be on Tuesday, May 9 at 8:00 a.m. when our local police will speak about security in our public and private places. Visit us online: www.localsummitlm.org and https://lmcmedia.org/.