Board of Education Mulls Stormwater Plan

The Scarsdale Board of Education discussed stormwater management Monday night.

At issue was the question of whether or not to work with the Village when it puts out bids for upcoming stormwater management construction that includes building two holding pools just upstream of the high school's parking lot and baseball field. Both the parking lot and the outfield flood regularly.

The Village wants to use the dredged fill from the ponds to raise the level of the parking lot and proposes the Board of Education use the fill to raise and level the playing field. The Village would save between $300,000 and $500,000 in carting by using the field, but reconstructing the field afterward might cost about the same amount of money.

Superintendent Michael McGill pointed out that the parking lot is Village-owned, so the Board's decision would have little impact on that property. In the event the parking lot is used, the school district will bear the costs of laying down new gravel, around $15,000.

Board members questioned whether raising areas next to the stream that runs through the school might not increase flooding in other areas nearby. It was noted that flooding at the high school has previously extended into the lobby, destroying a machinery space below ground level and requiring the school to shut down while it was replaced.

Board members also noted that although a contingency fund was set aside for capital improvements, reconstructing Dean Field was not at the top of a list of possible projects. The reconstruction is on the radar though; a report from Assistant Superintendent Linda Purvis notes that games have been canceled because the outfield doesn't drain well. Her report also noted that the field slopes unevenly, presenting a tripping hazard to players. Using the fill would save money on field reconstruction.

Purvis said there is some urgency to making a decision on the reconstruction as the Deputy Village Manager indicated the pond construction will be put to bid in December. She was unsure what drove the timing of that deadline.

The consensus of the board seemed to be that the issue requires further study, with board member Jonathon Lewis adamant that the decision not be rushed without adequate understanding its implications.

Board member Lewis Leone, Jr., said, "If the stars all aligned correctly, I still would not be inclined to do it."

"The Board can't commit to anything at this point," said McGill.

The meeting began with consideration of more mundane matters.

A list of teachers who will be eligible for tenure this year was announced and the board praised a process of parent involvement in the decision making. Parents can comment about teacher performance with either signed or anonymous comments.

Funding for the Scarsdale Teen Center, provided by both the Board of Education and the Village of Scarsdale, was approved in the amount of $65,000. The budget was approved by voters in May, but the Board voted to release the funds to the Village.

The Teen Center presented their new Executive Director, Ellen Tiven-Moore, and Program Director, Eugenia Valliades.

Lynn Shain, Assistant Superintendent for Instruction, reported on the district's continuing program to assess critical thinking skills. She led the board in a classroom exercise, "turn and talk", as an example of a way to build teams and encourage critical thinking.

She noted that there are no schools in the U.S. currently testing for complex learning, learning that integrates several layers of understanding problems. What Shain called "top schools" worldwide, such as those in Finland, Singapore, Australia and Canada, have begun assessing those skills.

The Board also formally received a gift from Peter S. Hearst to the Special Education Department in the amount of $3,000.

Elementary School enrollment has decreased by 41 students this year compared to last year.

Public comments included an assertion that closing a road through Greenacres School was not necessary.

All consent items — grant application, text book and minutes approvals—passed unanimously.

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