Mar. 7, 2018:  The following statement was submitted by Jennifer B. Thomas, Chair, The Bronxville School Foundation, and Kelly M. Connors, President, Bronxville School PTA.

Dear Fellow Bronxville Community Members, 

On March 13, the Bronxville community will be asked to vote on a school bond referendum of nearly $25 million to fund an array of deferred maintenance and important renovation projects that will significantly improve the historic school building and facilities with no increase in property taxes.  

We represent the two nonprofit volunteer organizations that support the school:  the Bronxville School PTA and The Bronxville School Foundation. Both the PTA and the Foundation support this referendum. We encourage you to vote “YES” on Tuesday, March 13. 

An overview of the planned facilities projects, as well as the rationale for the budget, timing, and financing of this project can be found on the school website. We hope you have had the opportunity to attend one of the many presentations that our new superintendent, Dr. Roy Montesano, has made to school and community groups over the last several months. 

Our complementary organizations share the goal of enhancing the quality of education provided by The Bronxville School. We enjoy a close relationship with the school on a daily basis. Our experience is that we have a talented and dedicated administration and faculty who are committed to bringing the most effective curriculum, teacher training, technology, and programming to our school. In fact, many of these initiatives have been funded by our organizations. The plan also includes many necessary repair projects on our 100-year-old school building. Passing this bond referendum would ensure this team has up-to-date facilities in which to better educate our students. 

We believe the bond project has been well-managed by the board of education and the administration including the facilities plan, the decision to hire a new architecture firm and project manager, and the financial planning that has resulted in a tax-neutral bond for village residents. Due to state-mandated caps on annual increases in operating budgets, a project of this scope can only be funded through a bond.   

An outstanding school benefits not only our students but also our town. Our school is one of the primary attractions for new homebuyers. 

Please vote “YES” to improve our school facilities on March 13. Polls will be open from 7:00 am to 9:00 pm in the Blue Gym at the school. 

Thank you for your time and attention.

Pictured here:  The Bronxville School.

Photo by A. Warner

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