By Staff

Nov. 26, 2025: The Bronxville School Board of Education held its regular monthly meeting on November 20, 2025.

Report of Representative of Student Faculty Legislature

Dr. Rachel Kelly introduced Elizabeth Barnes, a junior at the Bronxville School, who is the VP of the Student Faculty Legislature.

Barnes spoke about the 4th Grade Thanksgiving Food Drive, a spelling bee with students and faculty competing against each other, and a civil discourse zoom with students from other schools discussing AI. She also said that the Model UN Club is going to the Princeton Model UN Conference and that the Career in the Arts Club at the Bronxville Library spoke to Bronxville students about their career paths. Finally, she highlighted the accomplishments of several sports teams.

Lights on the Bronxville Fields

Dr. Kelly spoke about the recent communication sent out regarding the exploration of lights on the Bronxville fields.

Study Group

She noted that this is an exploration phase and she is creating a Study Group to review and research (1) what is the problem we are trying to solve and (2) what is the best way to solve that problem.

The Study Group will include the following individuals from the School among others: Anthony Vaglica (Director of Athletics, Physical Education and Health), Dan Carlin (Assistant Superintendent for Business), Ann Meyer (Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum and Instruction) and Mike Lee (Director of Facilities).  She doesn’t yet know the names of the community members. She intends to include six members from the community.

She wants to have the first meeting of the Study Group the week after Thanksgiving.

Community Comment

There were a number of people from the community at the meeting who commented. 

-One individual spoke about “setback” requirements and said that these requirements would not be met by field lighting. 

-Another spoke about possibly considering Scout Field as an alternative.  

-A third person said his understanding was that NY State was required to review the lighting. Dr. Kelly said she believed that was required. 

-Another individual said that he felt it would be helpful to outline the process in detail. Dr. Kelly said that the school wants to be transparent and will continue to communicate with the community. 

-Board President Edward Lennon said that the Board wants to provide transparency. He also said that there would be a field-use policy. He said that "this Board" would look to be as conservative as possible, but a Board in the future could make another decision which is "one of the struggles with this decision." 

-Board member Michael Brandes said that it’s really about “addressing a problem brought to us and to solve that problem.”  

-Another individual from the community said that the uncertainty about what is done "down the pike" is "what’s scary."  He noted that if there was a policy that was binding on future Boards, that might work, but if it’s not binding “that is what’s scary.”

Dr. Kelly’s Report

Dr. Rachel Kelly, Superintendent of the Bronxville School, provided updates on the Elementary, Middle and High Schools.

Elementary School

The recent activities of the Elementary School include a Thanksgiving Drive for "Feeding Westchester," a Spirit Day, a second grade trip to Village Hall to meet with the Mayor and police officers, and a book fair.  She said that the first graders are creating movies about how to make recess better.

Middle School

Dr. Kelly said that the “Legend of Sleepy Hollow” play was presented and was excellent.  The 7th Grade is currently in Williamsburg, an annual trip for over 50 years.

High School

A number of high school 10th grade students competed in the 2025 NY State Archives Student Research Awards competition, which recognizes excellence in historical research. Twenty-nine students received recognition in the Grades 9-12 division. One student was the 3rd Place Winner for his research paper.

She noted that the Girls Varsity Soccer team was awarded with a Section 1 Sportsmanship Award. She also recognized the coaches who set the tone for the program and serve as role models for the athletes. 

Bronxville Promise in Action

Dr. Ray Loverso, High School Principal, and Aaron Kind, Director of High School Counseling, spoke about high school graduate surveys, which include a senior exit survey, a post graduate survey, and a survey 60 months after graduation. 

Some of the general findings include:

-Seniors report a high level of preparation for college.

-Seniors also report a positive overall learning experience at the high school, including relationships with the faculty.

-Seniors also felt that teachers have high expectations for them and help them succeed.

-Seniors also rate their self-advocacy high.

-One area for possible improvement is readiness for college writing.

-Students’ most meaningful experiences included athletics, theater, music, and student government, as well as AP courses, and strong relationships with some teachers.

-Areas they would like to see improved include greater exposure to diverse thought and financial preparation for college.

-Kind spoke about some of the additional programs in the arts at the school today due to input received in past years.

Board member Sarah Kenny suggested asking college students how they are using AI in college. Aaron Kind agreed. 

Board Member Michael Brandes suggested creating a survey for parents as well. Aaron Kind said they would look into that.

Financial Update

Dan Carlin, Assistant Superintendent of Business, provided a financial update. The overall surplus for this year is currently projected at about $400,000, 

Looking at a 5-year projection, Carlin said that, within the next five years, a tax cap override may be necessary, perhaps as early as next year. The issue is inflation and core costs, such as personnel and employee benefits. Inflation has outpaced the tax levy cap in recent years. He noted that inflation in non-personnel costs is putting pressure on the budget going forward.  Next year is also the last year of the current collective bargaining agreement with teachers.  

Board member Susan Conniff noted that transportation costs have increased at a CAGR of 8% over recent years, and that it’s critical to focus on this area and also on health insurance, which just this year is up 15%. She noted that there are a lot of challenges going forward.

Carlin said they are hiring a health insurance consultant to explore an alternative health insurance plan. The School will continue to offer their main plan but are looking to develop an alternative plan with the goal of reducing costs.

He spoke about replacing copy machines with a new 5-year lease.

Facilities Update 

Carlin said that the doors for the security vestibule on Pondfield Road should be arriving this week.  

He also said that they are putting a screen on the Midland Avenue side of the flood pump shelter. This screen will replace the fake ivy that was on that side.

He also alluded to an upcoming project that they hope to start in June. 

Report by Ann Meyer

Ann Meyer, Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum and Instruction, said they are discussing an AI framework for Elementary, Middle and High School. The next step is to have the faculty look at their curriculum against the framework.