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Budget Forum: At 6:30 p.m., Mr. Dugan convened the Budget Forum noting that all Board members, including the student Board members were present. Dr. Patrick and members of his Administrative Cabinet were also present. On behalf of the Board, Mr. Dugan expressed thanks to Dr. Patrick, Mr. Lennon, Lisa Zareski, District Treasurer, Cabinet members, and the Business team for all of their hard work on the 2026-27 draft budget and the Budget Study Session presentations. The 2026-27 budget documents can be viewed here.
Dr. Patrick welcomed all to the Budget Forum and noted that the current proposed budget remains unchanged from what was presented at Budget Study Session #3 on March 16th. He added, “And while this budget does support the goals of the Strategic Plan, the reality is it does not fund some of the strategic priorities we want it to support. It has been getting harder and harder in recent years to find the balance between the program we want with the kind of tax increase that the community can support.”
Dr. Patrick provided a brief overview of the 2026-27 draft Budget; the budget drivers by expense area; the budget accomplishments in the three areas of the Strategic Plan and he reviewed the 2026-27 budget discussion timeline. Mr. Lennon shared a brief overview of the 2026-27 Budget Plan, including the estimated tax impact. The slides of the presentation can be viewed here.
Hearing From Those Present: Mr. Dugan opened the floor to public comment on the Draft 2026-27 Proposed Budget. Four people spoke in person. One person spoke virtually.
Board Discussion/Wrap-up Items: Board members provided comments and asked clarifying questions about the draft budget plan that were answered by Dr. Patrick and Mr. Lennon. Dr. Patrick expressed gratitude to our community partners for their engagement and input, noting that the comments and questions have provided clarity and have deepened the inquiry of what’s possible and not possible throughout the process.
Mr. Dugan provided information about the Board letter that goes into the Budget Insight each year. The Board reached a consensus to present the draft letter for discussion at the April 13th Board meeting.
Business Meeting: Mr. Dugan called the Business Meeting to order at 7:20 p.m., noting that all Board members were present, including the student Board members (Jim Dugan, President; Colleen Brown, Vice President; Leah Dembitzer; Suzie Hahn; Robert Klein; Laura Liu; Amber Yusuf; Lucy Eisenberg; and Anish Mehta), and Dr. Patrick and members of his Administrative Cabinet.
In his opening remarks, Mr. Dugan provided a brief recap of the Budget Forum held earlier in the evening and he stated, “The Board appreciates the work of all the individuals that sent us questions and comments, and spoke at our budget forums and business meetings. We would also like to thank the many organizations who provided the Board and Administration with thoughtful questions and comments, including the LWVS and the PT Council and PTAs. Thank you all for your participation in this important process.”
Mr. Dugan also spoke about the Capital Projects Bond stating, “Since the Board approved this Project to go out to a vote at our last Business Meeting, Superintendent Patrick, District personnel, and the Board have been hard at work finalizing our communication plan for the Bond. Over the next seven weeks, leading up to the vote on May 19th, members of the Board and District personnel will be attending PTC meetings, Town Halls, Zoom events, and school events, and, closer to the time of the vote, train stations during the morning commute to get the word out and answer questions. We look forward to seeing you soon at one of these events, the dates and times of which will be communicated.”
Dr. Patrick added his welcome, and thanked the community for their input in the budget process and the Board for such thoughtful and purposeful discussions and deliberations.
He also reminded the community that three 2026 Capital Projects Bond Information Sessions are scheduled for:
Tuesday, April 21st, at 7 PM in the Scarsdale High School Auditorium Monday, May 4th, at 7 PM at Fox Meadow Elementary School Wednesday, May 6th, at 7 PM at Edgewood Elementary School
Dr. Patrick presented a brief report on the Superintendents Conference Day (SCD) held on Friday, March 20th, noting, “It was a very productive day of professional learning focused on assessment and the fourth and final SCD of the school year.” Dr. McIntosh and Ms. Troy provided additional information about the learning activities at the elementary level with consultant Caroline Calabrese; the focus on the performance tasks/assessments at the secondary level with Keynote Speaker Jay McTighe; and the learning activities that teacher aides and assistants took part in throughout the day.
In closing, Dr. Patrick shared a few important dates:
Student Board members presented the following reports:
Mr. Mehta reported that he attended the Scarsdale Dance Team’s performance on Friday, March 19th; and he shared information about the work that he and Ms. Eisenberg have undertaken to improve voter registration and to best educate their peers about the Bond, Budget Vote, and Board elections on May 19, 2026. Ms. Eisenberg shared that the SHS Jabberfest festival, organized by Jabberwocky, will be held on Friday, March 27th, and will feature student talents in music, dance, and other performances.
Hearing From Those Present: Community members were invited to address the Board. Four people spoke in person. No one spoke remotely.
Written Communications: Ms. Brown presented the emails that the Board received from members of the community since the last report, as listed in the Board meeting agenda, all of which received a response from the Board and/or District administration.
Consent Agenda: The Board approved the items on the Consent Agenda, including the Personnel Report.
INFORMATION/DISCUSSION
ACTION ITEMS |
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Information Items/Discussion: The Board considered several items under the information/discussion portion of the agenda:
Ms. Zareski presented the Treasurer’s Report and Schedule of Investments. In accordance with District Policy #6150, the Board of Education must approve all transfers of funds in excess of $25,000. Ms. Zareski presented the budget transfers and answered Board members' questions. The budget transfers will be presented to the Board for approval later in the meeting. Mr. Lennon provided the background for a proposed resolution being presented to the Board for consideration as part of its advocacy initiatives. He noted that Scarsdale Schools was one of the first districts in New York state to gain the ability to establish funds for a health insurance reserve fund; and this resolution will support efforts to provide other school districts with the authority to establish and fund health insurance reserves. The Board discussed the proposed resolution and asked questions that were answered by Mr. Lennon. Ms. Hahn, speaking as the Board liaison and Trustee of the Westchester Putnam School Boards Association (WPSBA), provided their perspective and support in this work. The resolution will be presented to the Board for adoption later in the meeting. -
Dr. Patrick reviewed the following PTA gift proposals, exceeding $1,000.00.
Action Items: The Board approved the budget transfers, adopted the resolution advocating for the Universal Health Insurance Reserve Fund Authorization; and accepted with gratitude gift proposals to Edgewood, Fox Meadow, and Quaker Ridge Elementary Schools.
Public Comment: Community members were invited to address the Board for a second time. No one spoke in person or remotely.
Adjournment: The Board adjourned into an Executive Session at 8:16 p.m. The Board meeting may be viewed on the District website, Board of Education VOD.
* Note from the Board of Education: Please email your feedback, questions, or comments to boardofed@scarsdaleschools.org
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Scarsdale Public Schools