Bronxville Elementary and High School Go to Remote Learning Due to Rise in Covid-19 Cases

By Staff

Jan. 27, 2021: The Bronxville School Board of Education held its first meeting of 2021 on January 21, 2021.

President of the Board Arleen Thomas began the meeting by saying that it's becoming "a tough winter" for the school. Starting on January 22nd, both the elementary and high school went to remote learning because of the spread of the Covid-19 in the school.

Bronxville School Superintendent Dr. Roy Montesano said that there were 13 new cases in the elementary school since January 15 and a "significant rise" in cases in the high school since the holiday. The high school went to remote learning the week of January 11th due to a reported 9 cases.  High schoolers were back in school on Tuesday, January 19th for three days when an additional 7 cases were reported.

As a result of the rising cases, both the elementary school and high school went to remote learning starting Friday, January 22nd. The elementary school is back in school today. The high school, which had already planned to be on remote learning for midterm exams this week, is expected to be back in school on February 1st.  The middle school, which has reported 5 cases since the holiday break, is continuing in-person learning.

Dr. Montesano noted that the numbers were "alarming" and asked people to "remain vigilant."

There is some good news, which is that the Bronxville School staff is starting to get vaccinated. Montesano expressed the hope "that the supply ramps up quickly for New York." Other good news is that the school's capital projects are progressing well, with most expected to be completed by the last week of February.

On the financial front, Dan Carlin, Assistant Superintendent for Business, reported that the school's expenses are tracking about 4% better than the budget through November, but that there is potentially a $700,000 "revenue problem" primarily due to a projected 20% reduction in state aid.

Carlin reported that the school had received its expected state aid to date, which is about half of the total, but there is a question about the rest of the year. The state is getting money from Washington, but it is unclear how this will trickle down to the school districts.  Bronxville School has put a hold on non-essential spending for the rest of the year.

There is a Bronxville School budget workshop Sat. Jan 30. The next School Board meeting is on Feb 11, 2021.

Photo by A. Warner