Written by Carol P. Bartold

Mar. 11, 2015: The fourteen-vote defeat of Proposition 2 in the January 22 referendum prompted the Bronxville Board of Education at its March 7 budget workshop to consider whether the measure will be presented for a vote again.

Proposition 2 asked voters to authorize the allocation of up to $2.2 million in existing district capital reserve funds to reconstruct Hayes Field as a turf field after completion of the Midland Valley Drainage Project construction on the school campus. Much of the funding for the project would come from a FEMA grant (Federal Emergency Management Agency).

Before a capacity audience at the workshop, board president Denise Tormey stated, "If there were ever a situation that called for a revote and reconsideration of a proposition, this is it." She noted the extremely close vote on Proposition 2. She further stated that it is a lawful exercise of the board's discretion to consider putting the issue before the public for a revote. The school district is required to provide a 45-day notice to the public if the board decides to pursue that course.

Tormey admitted that Proposition 2 might have caused confusion because it added issues to the flood mitigation project such as landscaping that were not included in the budget for that project. The proposition also attempted to address school campus parking issues.

"Parking has been and continues to be a major problem village-wide," Tormey said. "We have come to determine in discussions with many residents, with the village, and among ourselves that parking is something that should have been addressed as an add-on to another project."

She added that should the board decide to put the Hayes Field proposal up for another vote, the proposition would not include any provision for additional parking lots.

The district and the village are conducting discussions about hiring a traffic consultant and a parking consultant to review all issues relating to traffic flow and parking problems. "We hope that it will result in a comprehensive plan to reduce congestion, improve safety, and address the need for teacher and staff parking," Tormey said.

Thirty-two speakers from the audience, standing room only, addressed the board of education and the assembly during the public discussion portion of the agenda about the propriety of a revote on Proposition 2 so soon after its defeat, as well as the merits of reconfiguring Hayes Field as a synthetic turf field, the need for more field availability, and the need to take some time to develop a plan that would effectively serve all constituencies.

"It would seem like we should get the FEMA project done, see where we are, have the parking surveys done, and then we can start this process," resident Mark Aherne said. He added that a revote so soon after a "razor-thin" defeat risks creating further animosity and could result in conflict with the results of the parking and traffic surveys.

George Lekovic stated that the Proposition 2 and the communication surrounding it lacked proper discussion and transparency. "Because we were in a pressure cooker it became a very divisive and antagonistic issue," he said. He further stated that a 45-day notice for a revote does not provide adequate time to find a solution that would have the support the board's work deserves.

Resident Brian Hail spoke in favor of a revote. "We have a unique window here with the FEMA flood mitigation grant to renovate Hayes Field," he said. He emphasized that the "right thing to do" would be to utilize the funds and the timing of construction to reconfigure Hayes Field as a synthetic turf facility.

"There was a great deal of misinformation that was distributed around the community with the last vote," Chip Cushman noted. "I encourage the board to put a new proposition out with clear parameters that are understandable." He feels the community would support such a measure.

Per Tormey, the board of education will use information and viewpoints heard at the budget workshop to formulate a presentation on the issue of Proposition 2 and a possible revote for its next regular meeting, March 19, at 7:00 pm in the school's multipurpose room.

"We are trying to do the best we can to address a situation that affects every student, parent, and member of this community," Tormey stated.

Pictured here: Bronxville Village residents attending the budget workshop on March 7.

Photo by A. Warner