Bronxville School Board January Meeting Included Significant Public Comment Regarding Field Lighting Issue
Photo by N. Bower
By Staff
Jan. 19, 2026: The Bronxville School held its first Board meeting of 2026 on January 15th. Below are some of the key items discussed. You can watch the full board meeting HERE.
Field Lighting Issue
Eddie Lennon, Chair of the Bronxville School Board, noted that many people were at the meeting because of their interest in the field lighting issue. He said that the Board takes its responsibility seriously with respect to the issues of insufficient field space and too few referees and buses. The Board is looking at all options and solutions. Lennon requested patience from all concerned.
Dr. Rachel Kelly, Superintendent of the Bronxville School, provided an overview of the field use situation, including the following:
-The school is experiencing a shortage of outdoor athletic space.
"-The field space problem is not new but has been exacerbated by busing issues and field shortages.
-Some new Section 1 rules will further exacerbate this issue. -The result is that 40+ hours of competitive hours have been lost.
Dr. Kelly noted that there is a Study Group looking at this issue. Thus far,
-The Group has met twice and has reviewed the problem.
-The Group is looking at a number of solutions.
-Lighting is one of the potential solutions. Dr. Kelly noted that the sophistication of lights has improved over the past decade.
-Dr Kelly said that there is a possibility of private funding for the lights but said that the potential for private funding will not drive any decision.
-If the School were to pursue this, they would hold a village vote.
Next Steps
-The School Board will share with the community a summary of the problem and the solutions they are researching.
-The School will send out a survey to students, parents and the community so that they hear from “everybody.”
-No decision will be made in isolation or “behind closed doors.”
-There will be another update at the Board meeting in February.
Public Comment
Dr. Kelly then asked for public comment. There was significant public comment on the topic of field lighting. Below is a summary of the comments.
1. One person wanted to understand the plans and the impact on the school budget and taxes.
2. Another person wanted to know if there will be a rendering when the plans are presented.
School Board Chair Eddie Lennon said that the current idea is that that there will be 6 poles placed as follows:
-2 on the townhouse side inside the track on the field - each 70 feet tall.
-2 adjacent to the bleachers that would have lightheads on both sides - 90 feet tall.
-2 adjacent to the playground facing over Hayes field - 70 feet tall.
He noted that the poles have to be high to direct the light straight down with very little spillover in the homes adjacent to the fields.
3. Another person asked if there is a video of this type of lighting.
Lennon said that they have a list of schools that have the updated lighting.
4. Another person said that she recalls that one of the problems when the turf field was installed was that many schools couldn’t afford a second bus to transport the JV teams after the varsity team so some teams arrived at the same time.
Dr. Kelly confirmed that that was still an issue. She also noted that the majority of Section 1 schools have lights.
5. Another person said that he has an overall problem with the way the lights issue has been presented. He said that lights will negatively impact people in a variety of ways, including having a negative impact on quality of life and driving down property values.
He asked how the School could consider installing lights when it would negatively impact so many people. He described it as “just wrong” because “you are doing this at the expense of others.”
Dr. Kelly said this is precisely why the School hasn’t made this decision in the past 30 years. She further said that lighting technology has improved. She said she appreciates the input on the potential negative consequences.
The speaker further noted that no matter what, the lights will have negative impacts including the following:
-spillover
-negatively impact the character of the school
The speaker said, “It’s the wrong thing to do.” He asked the Board to really think about it. “Do you really want to do something that is going to be at the expense of everybody else?”
Board member Michael Brandes said that the Board is “mandated to explore solutions for real problems in the District. Period.” He also said that the Board is “far far from making a determination one way or the other” but that “it really is a real problem.”
6. Another person suggested to the Board that they could be creative with students and send a message that students can’t always get what they need right now. She noted that “getting what you want isn’t always the best lesson.”
7. Another person said that lights will impact 150 houses with 400 tax payers. He also noted that noise would be an issue as well. He said “you are opening the door to putting a circus on those fields.” He also expressed concern about the potential impact on flooding.
8. Another person said that School should explore creative solutions for the teams like they have done for the Swim team. The Swim team found a place to practice because the School doesn’t have a pool. She suggested partnering with the Eastchester School system and spoke about the lights ‘behind Trader Joes.” She also suggested possibly doing something with the colleges or the Catholic Schools or partnering with other schools to help alleviate the school field problem.
Lennon noted that Bronxville is able to use the Handl field one day a week. He said they are talking to Iona and exploring more usage of Scout Field.
9. Another speaker asked if the Village is looking at the other “costs” of the lighting such as noise, extra police and trash. She notes that the one week that the School has lighting - Homecoming - - results in significant noise and trash and requires policing.
Dr, Kelly said they are sending out a communication about the complexity of the problem and they will share the research of the Study Group and the multiple solutions they are exploring.
They are also sending out a survey asking questions such as “What do you think of permanent lights on our fields?”
10. Another person who lives at Tanglewylde Towers, which is above La Gravinese and has 80 people living there. commented. She is concerned that the new lights will "loom over the village not just when lit but at all times”. She noted that the community was well planned and that it never envisioned stadium lights. She said that the current impact of homecoming is great.
She said that her children played on teams, but that the lights, the noise, the trash and the traffic is quite unsightly in many different ways just on Homecoming.
She hopes that “we can find” other solutions to this problem because the impact will be on everyone who comes to the village.
She said that those lights “looming over our village” will be visible from everywhere. She thinks it would be a “travesty” to pollute that area. She urged the Board to be very diligent about finding other solutions. She said she would not want to be the Board that did this to the Village. She said that this happened in New Canaan and now they are in litigation.
11. Another person who also lives in the same building spoke. She referred to a letter from Dr. Kelly posted in MyhometownBronxville that noted that “we all want to be in agreement on this.” She noted that people may have different outlooks on this. “If we are a taxpayer, we are supporting the school.” It’s important to look at the impact from a human standpoint.
12. Another person asked about the timeline for putting out the information of the Study Group. Would there be an opportunity to ask additional questions? How long after that will there be a survey?
Dr. Kelly said the summary should come out next week and the survey by the end of January. She also said that everyone always has an opportunity to ask questions through phone calls, email, and meetings.
13. Another person had the following comment: Please share what you know from an analysis and other information.
Lennon said the project “won’t have anything near a finished package” until speaking with the community.
14. Another person said that if this goes to a public vote, it will be important that the question on the ballot is clear..
15. Another person asked if there were examples of these new lights in a similar field with houses around it.
Lennon said that they will provide examples, but not ones that are exactly like what Bronxville is comtemplating. Lennon said there weren’t other comparable towns.
16. Another person commented that at 90 feet tall, the lights will have an impact "far beyond the fields" and asked, “how are you going to measure the wider impact?”
Lennon said that they will circle back with the engineers and also find out what other Districts have done.
17. Another person said that they expected that when these lights go in, surrounding communities will want to use the fields.
It was noted that the School will have a field use or field lighting policy. Lennon said that “this Board” would look at extremely strict guidelines and limitations, but added, ”The problem is a future board could change that policy.”
Dr. Kelly noted that the purpose of Board policy is that when changes are recommended, they have to be done in public.
18. Another person asked about how the Board will:
-identify the stakeholders
-determine what teams will be able to use the field (school? Town?)
Dr. Kelly said she has met with Eastchester and is meeting with the County Executive soon.
19, Another person spoke about the impact on students such as their academic balance. Are we going to have limits? We will have to hire guards as well? If this is the solution, you are going to open the door to a lot of problems.
20. Another person asked a question - - are you solving the School’s problem or Community’s problem with field space?
21. Another person asked about the timeline of the survey. Has the Study Group finished and shared what they’ve found?
Dr. Kelly said it’s important to share information with the community in a clear and concise way prior to the survey. She will get information in the hands of the community as soon as she can.
Financial Update
Dan Carlin, Assistant Superintendent for Business, said that for this year, he is confident in projecting a $100k surplus in salaries and a $100k surplus in contracted services. Carlin said he is “guarded” regarding the overall expenses for the full year and isn’t projecting a further surplus.
Carlin also projects a surplus in revenues because non resident tuition and interest earnings will be favorable for the year.
Carlin said that the first draft of the Budget for next year was distributed and there will be a meeting on Saturday, January 31st at 9am to review the Budget in detail. The preliminary budget significantly exceeds the tax cap override.
Carlin discussed a January audit committee meeting with the School’s internal audit firm. He said that the draft of the internal audit for FY 2025 on debt, investments and cash was presented. He said that the audit showed no major findings, but that there were a few new recommendations related to new policies, policy revisions and publishing minutes of Finance Committee Meetings. The Board voted to accept the audit and action plan.
Carlin then spoke about a number of completed maintenance items in the school.
Carlin also said that the fence covering on the flood mitigation pumps has been installed, and that the goal is “to hide the pumps” from those traveling on Midland Avenue.
Other Items
Bronxville School student representative to the Board Thomas Freeman spoke about upcoming events. He said that the Student Faculty Legislature (“SFL”) created birthday cards for an elderly organization, and the Junior Class has planned its annual volleyball tournament and carwash. He also spoke about candy grams and Valentine’s Day events.
Middle School Principal Joe Mercora introduced a presentation related to the Bronxville Promise in Action. This presentation focused on “innovation,” and two 8th graders and their teacher spoke about a “game developer showcase” that gave students the opportunity to program their own video games “from scratch.” The games were displayed and students and teachers had the chance to play them.
Amy Atkinson, Chair of the Bronxville School Foundation, said that this is the “grant season.” She spoke about a recent Equine-assisted Learning Grant. She asked people to think about ideas. The deadline for Grants is February 27, 2026.
She also said that the Foundation is also taking nominations for new Board Members.
Other agenda items discussed at the School Board meeting included:
-Discussion about the Bronxville School Calendar for next year.
-Approval of The District-wide Safety plan.
Schools & Camps Directory
Here are links to articles about colleges Bronxville students have attended.
Bronxville Graduates to Attend Top Colleges 2025: See list
Bronxville Graduates to Attend Top College 2024: See list
Bronxville Graduates to Attend Top Colleges 2023: See List
Bronxville Graduates to Attend Top Colleges 2022: See list
Bronxville Graduates to Attend Top Colleges 2021: See list
Bronxville Graduates to Attend Top Colleges 2020: See list
Bronxville Graduates to Attend Top Colleges 2018: See list
Bronxville has four pre-schools, one public school (The Bronxville School K – 12), one Catholic school (St. Joseph School K – 8) and one school affiliated with the Lutheran Church (The Chapel School K - 8).
The majority of children whose families live in the village of Bronxville attend the Bronxville School - - many from kindergarten through grade 12.
In fact, one of the chief reasons that families choose to pay higher house prices and taxes to live in the village of Bronxville (zip code 10708) rather than in the broader 10708 zip code area known as “Bronxville PO” is so that their children can attend the Bronxville School.
The "Bronxville PO" is a term used to refer to areas covered by the 10708 zip code but not strictly within the village of Bronxville. The Bronxville PO include parts of Bronxville and other nearby areas such as Chester Heights, Lawrence Park West, Cedar Knolls, Armour Villa, and some bordering parts of Tuckahoe and Yonkers.
Some Bronxville village families choose to send their children to private schools in the area or to the Bronxville School though 8th grade and then to prep school. But, by and large, this group is still in the minority.
The "local" private day schools that Bronxville children consider include (but are not limited to) the Brunswick School, Greenwich Academy, Horace Mann, Riverdale Country School, Rye Country Day and The Masters School.
Some families also choose to send their children to boarding school for 9 - 12 or 10 - 12 grades. Popular schools include Exeter, Andover, Hotchkiss, St. Paul's, Salisbury, Taft and Choate.
Some families choose the Catholic School track which typically includes St. Joseph School (K – 8) and then onto other Catholic schools for high school. Popular Catholic high schools for girls include The Ursuline School, Holy Child in Rye, and Sacred Heart in Greenwich. Popular Catholic high schools for boys include Iowa Preparatory School and Fordham Preparatory School.
Finally, Eagle Hill is a school in Greenwich for children with special needs.
Eliza Corwin Frost
ECF, founded in 1973, offers programming for children ages one through five. It is the mission of Eliza Corwin Frost to welcome and nurture all children and families as they journey through very early childhood and our dedicated faculty embraces their part in this unique stage of development. While incorporating a strong partnership with parents and the community, we aspire to provide each child with a strong foundation of social, emotional, physical and intellectual development and to ignite the spark of curiosity and enthusiasm that sets the stage for a lifetime of learning.
Krista Newcomb Hershberg, Director
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https://www.elizacorwinfrost.org/
Admission Inquiries:
Mandy Macmillan-Bell, Associate Director
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17 Sagamore Road
Bronxville, New York 10708
914-779-4852
Reformed Church Nursery School
The Reformed Church Nursery School ("RCNS"), founded in 1951, is located in the Reformed Church in Bronxville.
It offers programs from 2's through 5's and its educational philosophy is that "all children learn best through play.".
The School's Director is Margaret Murtagh.
6 Kraft Avenue
Bronxville, New York 10708
914-337-6332
www.rcns.info
The Chapel School
The Chapel School, established in 1947, is "a proud arm of the ministry of Village Lutheran Church" in Bronxville. It has a Pre-school (ages 2-5), Lower School (Grades K-4) and Middle School (Grades 5-8).
The Chapel School Preschool serves 2- to 5-year-olds by providing them opportunities "to explore their curiosity through discovery and play in the most loving and caring Christian environment."
172 While Plains Road
Bronxville, New York 10708
914-337-3202
http://www.thechapelschool.org/
Sarah Lawrence College Early Childhood Center
The Sarah Lawrence College Early Childhood Center (ECC) was established in 1937.
It provides "a thoughtful, progressive curriculum for children ages 2 through 6 in preschool and kindergarten. Its programs are modeled on the Sarah Lawrence pedagogy, and it provides a setting for observation and research for Sarah Lawrence College students interested in child development and teaching."
Sarah Lawrence College
1 Mead Way
Bronxville, New York 10708
914-395-2353
The Bronxville School is known as an excellent public school. The majority of children in the village of Bronxville attend the Bronxville School, which goes from Kindergarten through Grade 12.
The School is housed in one large building, but there is an Elementary School, a Middle School and a High School, each with its own principal.
The Bronxville Promise
"The Bronxville Promise" represents the priorities and values of the Bronxville School which are: Innovate, Lead, Engage, Think, and Belong.
Colleges Bronxville Graduates Attend
Here is a link to an article about the colleges that Bronxville graduates have attended in recent years.
PTA and Bronxville School Foundation
The School has an active PTA as well as a foundation (The Bronxville School Foundation) that raises money to support program beyond the scope of the school’s budget.
Bronxville School
177 Pondfield Road
914-395-0500
St Joseph School
St. Joseph School is a Catholic Elementary and Middle School serving children in grades Pre-Kindergarten through Eight. The school is located in the Village of Bronxville.
Catholic Identity and Academic Excellence.
Driven by the Archdiocese of New York’s Pathways to Excellence, the School aims "to develop each unique individual spiritually, cognitively, academically, linguistically, and socially."
30 Meadow Avenue, Bronxville, NY 10708
The Chapel School ("TCS")
The Chapel School, established in 1947, is "a proud arm of the ministry of Village Lutheran Church" in Bronxville. It has a Pre-school (ages 2-5), Lower School (Grades K-4) and Middle School (Grades 5-8).
Their goal is "to provide academic challenge and excellence, as well as character education and opportunities for social, emotional and spiritual growth in the safest and most nurturing environment."
"TCS students experience a state-of-the-art curriculum complete with the integration of the latest technology, but TCS teachers maintain a balance between what is most current and tested, proven teaching methods."
172 While Plains Road
Bronxville, New York 10708
914-337-3202
http://www.thechapelschool.org/
Eagle Hill School
The Eagle Hill School was established in 1975. Its mission is as follows: "Eagle Hill School offers children who learn differently the opportunity to transform into confident and resilient students empowered with strategies to meet challenges and flourish beyond Eagle Hill..”
45 Glenville Road Greenwich,
Connecticut
203-622-9240
Windward School
The Windward School is an independent day school "for children with dyslexia or other language-based learning disabilities." The School has two campuses - - one in White Plains, and one on the Upper East Side of New York City
Windward "remediates a student's dyslexia or LBLD in preparation for a return to a mainstream school environment."
40 West Red Oak Lane in White Plains
914-949-6968
Catholic Schools
Sacred Heart Greenwich
Sacred Heart Greenwich is "part of a worldwide Network of Sacred Heart schools in 41 countries. Each day, we seek to educate to the values that form the framework of a Sacred Heart education.
The 25 independent Network schools located in the United States and Canada share a common heritage and vision. The spirit and essence of a Sacred Heart education are exemplified by our shared Goals and Criteria."
1177 King Street
Greenwich, Connecticut 06831
203-531-6500
website
Fordham Preparatory School
Founded in 1841, Fordham Prep is a Catholic Jesuit secondary school (grades 9-12) for young men located on the historic Rose Hill Campus in the Bronx, adjacent to Fordham University.
Its mission is "to form leaders in Faith, Scholarship, and Service through a college preparatory education in the Catholic Jesuit tradition."
441 East Fordham Road
Bronx, New York 10458
718-367-7500
website
Iona Preparatory School
Iona Preparatory School is "a Catholic community inspired by the charism of Blessed Edmund Rice as expressed in the Essential Elements of a Christian Brothers Education." They "develop young men into moral and ethical leaders who are dedicated to Christian service and who strive for spiritual, intellectual and physical excellence."
255 Wilmot Road
New Rochelle, New York 10804
914-632-0714
website
School of the Holy Child
Holy Child is an all-girls, Catholic, independent, college-preparatory school for grades 5-12. Its is to develop “women of conscience and action.”
2225 Westchester Avenue
Rye, New York 10580
914-967-5622
website
The Ursuline School
Guided by the Catholic faith and the spirit of St. Angela Merici, The Ursuline School "educates, inspires and empowers young women to become wise, active, globally-minded leaders by cultivating lifelong learning, spiritual growth, integrity, respect for all and dedication to Serviam – “I will serve.”
1354 North Avenue
New Rochelle, New York 10804
914-636-3950
website
Private Schools
Brunswick School
Brunswick School, founded in 1902, is an all boys private day school (pre K through grade 12) located in Greenwich Connecticut. "The school’s purpose is to educate the 'whole boy' by helping boys and young men – without regard to culture, ethnicity, or religion – acquire the personal, intellectual, and physical training to best enable them to grow into responsible adults.
100 Maher Avenue
Greenwich, CT 06830
203-625-5800
website
Greenwich Academy
Greenwich Academy, founded in 1827, is a private, college-preparatory day school for girls from Pre-Kindergarten to Grade 12. Its mission is "to provide a challenging, comprehensive educational experience grounded in a rigorous liberal arts curriculum within an inclusive, diverse community."
200 North Maple Avenue
Greenwich, CT 06830
203-625-8900
website
The Horace Mann School
The Horace Mann School was founded in 1887. Horace Mann School "prepares a diverse community of students to lead great and giving lives. We strive to maintain a safe, secure, and caring environment in which mutual respect, mature behavior, and the life of the mind can thrive."
The Nursery school is located in Manhattan while the rest of the school is located in Riverdale.
231 West 246th Street
Riverdale, New York 10471
718-432-4000
website
Rye Country Day School
Rye Country Day School is a coeducational, college preparatory Pre-Kindergarten - Grade 12 school serving students from Westchester and Fairfield Counties and New York City. "In an inspiring and supportive community, students embrace challenge, discover passions, learn energetically, and find their voice.
Cedar Street
Rye, New York 10580
914-967-1417
website
Camps
Rush Day Camp at Sarah Lawrence in Bronxville
Located in Bronxville, Sarah Lawrence is in southern Westchester County. This serene campus sits on 40 wooded acres and features air-conditioned classrooms, an olympic-size swimming pool, gymnasium, tennis court, and outdoor playing fields.
Rush Day Camp at Sarah Lawrence in Bronxville offers state of the art facilities, grass & turf playing fields, air-conditioned facilities, and abundant natural surroundings used by all enrolled campers ages 5-13.
914-337-2087
Badger Sports Club
Badger Sports Club is a summer day camp. Nestled in the town of Larchmont, NY. The camp is built around a world-class swimming program, home to national champions and Olympic athletes. Of course, you don't have to be a world class swimmer to come to Badger. In fact, you don't even need to know how to swim! But when you leave in August, you just might be a champion!
Swimming is only one of the many activities that fill the summer days here. Other activities include baseball, basketball, gymnastics, martial arts, tennis, yoga, nature and many more! We offer half-day programs for 3 & 4 year olds, which run from 9am -1pm. For campers 5 years old and up, the day runs from 9am-4pm.
Badger Sports Club
website
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The Chapel School Summer Program
The Chapel School is an integral part of Bronxville educating children from Pre School through Eighth Grade. They offer a wonderful summer program. Click here to learn more.
Eliza Corwin Frost Summer Camp!
Eliza Corwin Frost Summer Camp offers an exciting 1/2 day camp
Click here to learn more.
Tutors
Be Brilliant! Tutoring (BB!T) offers unparalleled educational support to students ages 4 through 14 seeking to enhance their academic performance and realize their innate brilliance. BB!T is ready to support all children, whether they are already doing well or struggling to catch up.
BB!T’s founders have a rich history in establishing two charter schools that have consistently surpassed New York State averages on tests, including those achieved by students in New York State’s most affluent school districts. But at BB!T, we go beyond test scores and good grades. Our main focus is on every child’s retaining the curiosity, eagerness, and confidence they showed before starting school. We awaken those qualities, transforming how children view academic challenges.
Unlike typical tutoring services, BB!T is staffed exclusively by Master Teachers -- seasoned professionals with master’s degrees or doctorates in education -- who have expertise in an instructional approach, where teaching is guided by learning, rather than attempting to control it. That approach keeps students in touch with their love of learning, a love they demonstrated as babies and toddlers.
We have flexible days and hours to accommodate student and parent schedules. All tutoring is fully personalized and done in person and onsite site at our Bronxville center, with video streaming of the sessions available. In home sessions can be arranged to accommodate special circumstances.
Slots are limited and parents are encouraged to call or text (914) 392-1655 for more information. The website with additional details is www.BeBrilliantTutoring.com.
The word “Bespoke” means “customized and made to individual order.” Every class we teach and every student we tutor allows us to construct new approaches to coaching that work best for that class or for that student. Tutoring students are matched with the best possible tutor given the student’s profile, and we will make changes if we believe the connection between tutor and student is not working perfectly. Our instruction is, in a word, bespoke.
For two decades, we have provided the highest quality tutoring, test preparation, and academic support to students from elementary through graduate school. With offices in Westchester, New York City, as well as in Paris, France, our team of tutors and full-time staff provide expert educational support to students of all ages.
Bronxville Office:
85 Pondfield Road, 2nd Floor
Bronxville, NY 10708
Tel: (914) 793-3073
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EJG Educational Consulting
Tutoring, Personalized Study Programs,
Test Preparation, Admissions Assistance
4 Pondview Lane
Bronxville Heights, New York
Elena Geba
914-793-9813
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Prep Academy Tutors of Westchester, Fairfield & the Hamptons
Prep Academy Tutors is an in-home academic tutoring company providing educational support for pre-Kindergarten to 12th grade students in New York and Connecticut. Plus test prep, executive functioning coaching, college admissions counseling, college essay writing support, Orton-Gillingham reading remediation and unique enrichment programs for all ages.
Vanessa O’Friel, Director
914-303-7661
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