Special Meeting: Mr. Dugan convened a Special Meeting at 5:30 p.m. The Board moved into an Executive Session to discuss matters related to the employment history and appointment of particular persons.

Budget Study Session #3: At 6:30 p.m., Mr. Dugan convened Budget Study Session #3 (BSS#3). All Board members were present including the student Board members. Dr. Patrick and members of his Administrative Cabinet were also present. Mr. Dugan reiterated that there will be two public comment opportunities during the Business Meeting for community members to speak about the draft 2026-27 Budget, and he stated that the Board looks forward to community feedback and input throughout the budget process.

Dr. Patrick welcomed all to the Budget Study Session stating that the primary goals for BSS#3 are to present the Board with a proposed budget that falls within the tax cap and engage in the ensuing Board discussion. He added, “I would like to first offer why I think it is important to stay within the cap this year, and while I would like to be succinct, this is a matter that warrants a longer explanation. Much of this is drawn from the letter I sent to the community last week.”... “We must be cognizant of the impact of school taxes on our community, and have to find a balance that maintains our exceptionally high-quality of education and allows for innovation and improvement while minimizing the impact on our tax paying community. Despite the fact that that balance is harder and harder to come by, the evidence suggests the cap is a tool to be used judiciously, as an unsuccessful budget vote is a worst-case scenario, and potentially devastating to our educational program. Finally, this year we are asking the community to not only support a budget, but also a $101 million bond referendum to make much needed capital improvements to aging buildings across our district. With all of this considered, I feel compelled to recommend a tax cap-compliant budget.” 

Dr. Patrick, Mr. Lennon, and Ms. Troy presented the slides for BSS#3, including a review of the budget development process; an overview of the reductions made to the 2026-27 Draft Budget Plan since BSS#2; a review of the historical budget/tax levy changes and fund balance history; the tax cap calculation and estimated tax impact; and budget accomplishments. 

Board members engaged in a detailed discussion and asked questions regarding the adjustments made to the draft 2026-27 Budget that were answered by Dr. Patrick and members of his Administrative Cabinet. The video can be viewed here.

Business Meeting: Mr. Dugan called the Business Meeting to order at 7:50 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 read the following statement regarding the BSS#3, held earlier in the evening, “I’d like to thank those who have provided feedback so far on the budget process, we are truly appreciative of the community’s engagement. I’d also like to thank Dr. Patrick, his Administrative Cabinet, and all of the District’s employees who have thought long and hard about the budget for our 2026-27 school year.  As we heard during the Budget Study Session, the reality of our mandated tax cap, along with rising costs that are beyond our control, have forced us to make very difficult choices, and will continue to do so.  We thank Dr. Patrick and his staff for approaching these hard decisions in the spirit of striking a balance favoring the preservation of our educational program and its student-oriented focus.”  

Dr. Patrick added his welcome, and noted that the draft resolution for the 2026 Bond Proposition will be presented to the Board later in the meeting for review and adoption. He provided an overview of the transparent, inclusive process that included the multistakeholder Capital Projects Steering Committee with representation from all of the school communities and the community at large. He continued, “I would like to take this opportunity to express my gratitude to a number of individuals and groups that helped shape the proposed bond as it stands today. The process that led us here started 18 months ago with the articulation of a framework for decision making. From the outset, the Board and administration committed to a transparent and inclusive process, with stakeholder engagement and response to that engagement ongoing throughout. We developed a superb team of experts who have been excellent partners throughout, several of whom are in the audience tonight. That group includes the teams at BBS Architects, Inc., Arris Contracting Company, Inc., our bond counsel Dan Birmingham; JC Broderick and Associates; and Capital Markets Advisors, LLC. This group worked along with our own experts- our remarkable facilities team, led by Nick Ferraro, John Antonicelli, and Luis Magalhaes; and supported by the partner to my right - Andrew Lennon.”...“The community demonstrated significant engagement in the process by showing up at events and BOE meetings; completing surveys; and sending in questions. The Board of Education took in an incredible volume of information, digested it, asked probing and clarifying questions, and worked through 5 versions of the plan before reaching a thoughtful conclusion that has resulted in a capital program that delivers value for the investment. I express my thanks to each and every one of you for your participation in this. And now the hard work begins!” 

Dr. Patrick noted that three Town Hall style bond information sessions are scheduled for:

• The first is on Tuesday, April 21st, at 7 PM in the Scarsdale High School Auditorium

• The second is on Monday, May 4th, at 7 PM at Fox Meadow Elementary School

• The third is on Wednesday, May 6th, at 7 PM at Edgewood Elementary School

Tours will be given at the two elementary schools starting at 6:30 PM. Further information will be provided in the near future.

In closing, Dr. Patrick shared that Eid al-Fitr and Nowruz are celebrated on March 20th; schools are closed for students; and faculty and staff will take part in Superintendent’s Conference Day focused on assessments. 

Board members presented the following reports:

• Mr. Klein reported he attended the monthly Scarsdale Action for Youth (SAY) meeting and discussed their April campaign, Wait to Gate, to discourage parents' drinking at student athletic events; and he provided information on the March SFCS Gala honoring Wendy McMillan for her service to SAY. Mr. Klein also provided an update on the PTC Technology Committee Meeting he attended and the topics discussed. 

• Ms. Liu provided information on the Scarsdale Chinese Association’s (SCA) Lunar New Year Gala she attended on February 28th. She added that more than 300 people attended from local communities and enjoyed cultural performances, games, crafts, and delicious food. She thanked the SCA for hosting such a wonderful event. 

• Ms. Brown shared information about the Ramadan Iftar Dinner that she, Mr. Klein, Ms. Liu, and Ms. Yusuf attended on March 12th. She thanked the High School Muslim Club for the invitation and warm hospitality. 

• Mr. Dugan reported on the bi-monthly 2x2 Meeting he, Vice President Brown and Superintendent Patrick attended on March 3rd as part of the District and Village collaboration and partnership. 

Student Board members presented the following reports:

• Mr. Mehta reported he attended the SHS Drama Club’s performance of PUFFS (or: Seven Increasingly Eventful Years at a Certain School of Magic and Magic) last weekend; and he shared information about the acknowledgement of Pi Day in high school math classes including games, inscriptions, theory, and of course, pie. 

• Ms. Eisenberg provided an update on the first 2026-27 SHS Government House Meeting she attended and the feedback that was provided on this year’s community lunch program.

Cabinet Updates: Dr. Patrick introduced Cabinet Member(s) to provide the following updates.

• Mr. Lennon presented the following updates:

  • The first EV has arrived in the District. It will circulate through the fleet of buses and will be road ready following a transitional period for the transportation team. 

  • There are two bid awards for the SHS turf practice field on the Board agenda for approval later in the meeting. Mr. Lennon thanked BBS Architects, Inc. and Arris Contracting Company, Inc. for assisting in the vetting process. In response to a Board member’s question, Mr. Lennon provided clarification and additional information regarding the materials used in the turf field, including a letter of certification regarding NYS PFAS requirements.

  • The District’s Food Service Committee has released a survey to better inform the current program and potential changes for the 2026-27 school year, including possibly shifting to the National School Lunch Program. The deadline for the survey is Wednesday, March 25th, and can be completed here. 

• Ms. Troy provided an update on the positions that have been posted for the 2026-27 school year and the search process that is underway for the two assistant principal positions. She noted that appointments for these positions will be presented to the Board for approval at a future Board meeting. 

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.