May 28, 2014:  Facilities improvements, collaborative steps forward in educational programs and curriculum changes, and fiscal prudence characterize the two terms of outgoing Bronxville Board of Education trustees Dr. James Hudson and Pierre de Saint Phalle.

Over the six years that Hudson and de Saint Phalle served on the board, many changes occurred or were imposed. The State of New York mandated the two percent property tax levy cap, the school property suffered its second major flood within five years, and the school began a major renovation and construction program.

Hudson, who served two years as board vice president and two years as board president, and de Saint Phalle pointed to the collaborative effort among the school board, the school administration, and the staff in controlling budget increases and practicing fiscal conservatism as their proudest accomplishment.

"We started thinking about the two percent cap before it became mandatory," Hudson said, "so we could control costs without affecting the quality of education."

De Saint Phalle, who served on the finance committee and audit committee during his tenure, agreed with Hudson. "We got on top of the tax cap issue early," he said. "I think we were a couple of years ahead of most school districts." He noted that the fiscal conservatism the board established in producing budgets within the cap before it was mandated helped contain tax levy increases within the two percent limit during his terms.

Despite the budget constraints, both trustees were pleased that the number of electives available to students in the high school was expanded. According to de Saint Phalle, that broad offering is now well embedded in the curriculum. "I think the biggest challenge is to have growth and development in the curriculum while still maintaining fiscal control," de Saint Phalle said.

"The things I'm most proud of are the things that were the most challenging," Hudson reflected. "We did have to make some very tough decisions, but we were also able, with community input, to advance facilities projects which speak to providing the facilities that match the excellence of the school."

Hudson emphasized that the board tried to exercise sensitivity toward community concerns, especially with the auditorium renovation, and achieve an end product that will not only advance the school's excellence in music and drama but also allow community use of the space.

The Bronxville School building, approaching one hundred years old, de Saint Phalle also pointed out, poses many challenges, notwithstanding additional difficulties caused by recent flood damage. Hudson stated that the facilities projects undertaken, including the completion of the boiler room project after the 2007 flood, as well as the auditorium renovation and the updating of the middle school science classrooms and laboratory, are critically important in maintaining and advancing the physical plant.

"Just beginning to show now, and very important with the replacement of school principals and the retirement of Dr. John Kehoe," de Saint Phalle said, "is the succession planning we began to work on perhaps five years ago."

Both Hudson and de Saint Phalle said they hope to leave a legacy of fiscal discipline and good governance with the board of education.

"Understand that you're one member of a board," Hudson advised his successors. "Work collaboratively toward the goals of the district, don't be afraid to express your opinions, and assume responsibility for the board's decisions."

De Saint Phalle encourages the new trustees to continue maintaining an innovative educational program with areas of curriculum growth and development while still exercising fiscal controls. "I think that will be the biggest challenge," he said.

"We are so blessed in this community to have the support of The Bronxville School Foundation and the PTA," de Saint Phalle said. "That support allows the school to have a lot of things that otherwise would be hard to afford in a two percent cap environment."

Both Hudson and de Saint Phalle expressed thanks to the Bronxville community for its support during their six years as trustees on the board of education.

Pictured here (L to R):  Retiring school board trustees Dr. James Hudson and Pierre de Saint Phalle.

Photo of James Hudson courtesy Mr. Hudson