Special Meeting: At 5:00 p.m., Jim Dugan, Board of Education President, convened a Special Meeting with a group of high school students. The group discussed the community lunch program, the rolling gradebook and grading transparency, and the personal electronic device ban.   

Audit Committee Meeting: At 6:30 p.m., Mr. Dugan convened the Board as the Audit Committee and noted that all committee members were present, including the student members. Dimitris Bantileskas, Nawrocki Smith, LLP presented the Internal Auditor’s Report/Annual Risk Assessment Update. Audit Committee members presented questions that were answered by Mr. Bantileskas. Mr. Lennon provided an explanation of the Corrective Action Plan (CAP), the actions being taken, and noted a change in the wording of the final CAP document clarifying overtime procedures for all employees. Audit Committee members reached a consensus that the next internal audit focus area would be the Payroll function.

The Audit Committee voted unanimously to recommend to the Board of Education acceptance of the Internal Auditor’s Report/Annual Risk Assessment Update and the Corrective Action Plan.

Business Meeting: Mr. Dugan called the Business Meeting to order at 7:03 p.m., noting that all Board members were present, including the student Board members (Jim Dugan, President; Colleen Brown, Vice President; Leah Dembitzer; Suzie Hahn; Robert Klein; Laura Liu; Amber Yusuf; Lucy Eisenberg; and Anish Mehta), and Dr. Patrick and members of his Administrative Cabinet.

In his opening remarks, Mr. Dugan provided a brief recap of the earlier meeting and topics discussed with the high school students stating, “Thank you to the student representatives for their thoughts and feedback on these topics as well as the many students who have reached out to the Board with their articulate and thoughtful feedback for us. Any student should always feel welcome to reach out to the Board on board-related matters. You can always reach us at boardofed@scarsdaleschools.org.”

Mr. Dugan reported that just prior to the Business Meeting, the Board met as the Audit Committee to hear reports from the District’s Internal Auditors regarding their Risk Assessment Report and Corrective Action Plan for identified items. The Audit Committee voted to accept the reports that will be presented to the Board for action later in the meeting. 

Mr. Dugan also noted that later in the meeting, the Board will vote on the 2026-27 budget resolution, and on March 16th the Board voted on a resolution adopting the 2026 Capital Projects Bond Proposal. He added, “Both of these votes represent an extremely important commitment to the future growth and success of the District’s educational program, as well as to the young people of our community. The Budget and the Bond will come to a public vote on May 19th at the Scarsdale Middle School. In the next few weeks leading up to this vote, Dr. Patrick, Andrew Lennon, and members of the Board will be available at town hall meetings in each of our neighborhoods, as well as PTA meetings and other venues, school events, such as concerts and performances, and other public venues to answer your questions about the budget and the bond. As always, we welcome your questions and your involvement in this process.”

Dr. Patrick added his welcome, and congratulated Dr. Meghan Troy on the successful defense of her doctoral dissertation, and the SHS seniors who have made or are making their final college decisions, noting, “It is an exciting moment and reflects an incredible amount of hard work.”

Dr. Patrick also noted that later in the evening the Board will vote on a number of items related to the Budget and Bond Vote on May 19th including the resolution approving the proposed 2026-27 budget. He also provided information on voter registration that can be found on the Voter Information page on the District website; the mailer that was sent to the community last week explaining the proposed bond; and a video explainer that is now available on the 2026 Capital Projects Bond page. As a reminder, three 2026 Capital Projects Bond Information Sessions are scheduled for:  

• Tuesday, April 21, at 7 p.m. in the Scarsdale High School Auditorium

• Monday, May 4, at 7 p.m. at Fox Meadow Elementary School

• Wednesday, May 6, at 7 p.m. at Edgewood Elementary School

He added, “In addition to these events, Board of Education members have graciously signed up to attend a variety of school events over the next five weeks. They will be available to answer questions about the projects, and will be easy to spot as they will be near a collection of posters we have produced to provide information to our community about the bond. I want to thank each of you for extending this level of outreach to our community - I think it communicates your commitment to providing as much information as possible to our community on such an important decision.” 

In closing, Dr. Patrick welcomed SMS English Chair Denise DelBalzo, SHS Principal Ken Bonamo and Asst. Principal Laura Weiss, who will be participating in the evening’s Education Report, later in the meeting, and he noted upcoming important dates:

• April 14: is Yom Hashoah

• April 22: Earth Day

• May 1: Buddhist Festival Vesak

Board members presented the following reports:

• Ms. Dembitzer provided information on the Edgewood Ribbon Cutting Ceremony that she attended on March 27th. She added that the outdoor space exemplifies a space of collaboration and joy of learning. 

• Ms. Dembitzer also reported that the PTC is hosting a Panel Discussion on Puberty and Puberty Education in the Scarsdale Schools on Wednesday, April 15th, at 7:00 p.m. in the Middle School Auditorium. Panelists include Dr. Edgar McIntosh, Devin Hoover, Physical Education Teacher, and Dr. Eileen Alexander Golenbock, Pediatrician. Additionally, prior to the program, Dr. Patrick, Mr. Lennon, and Board members will provide a brief bond and budget presentation.

Student Board members presented the following reports:

• Mr. Mehta announced that he and Ms. Eisenberg will be hosting a student information session on the 2026 Capital Projects Bond during Community Lunch on Tuesday, April 14th, and he shared the efforts being made to encourage eligible students to register to vote on May 19th.

• Ms. Eisenberg provided information on this week's SHS Government House Meeting and the events taking place for SHS Spirit Week, including a Spring Pep Rally on Friday.

Cabinet Updates: Dr. Patrick introduced Cabinet Member(s) to provide the following updates.

• Mr. Lennon provided the following updates:

  • The work on the SHS turf practice field is well underway — the contractor has prepared the field for an underground drainage system and installation of stormwater equipment. Mr. Lennon noted that the project is on track to be completed before high school graduation, and he expressed appreciation to the SHS staff and students for their patience and cooperation.

  • The District’s Food Service Committee received and reviewed over 400 responses to the Food Service Program Survey that was released in March. A formal report on the findings will be presented to the Board before the end of the school year. Additionally, the Committee reviewed the National School Lunch Program (SLP), the current program that the District is using, and community expectations. Following their research, the Committee reached a consensus that the existing program provides the District with the best options for the community’s needs especially in the area of menu variety, dietary restrictions, and health requirements. Board members asked questions that were answered by Mr. Lennon.

Hearing From Those Present: Community members were invited to address the Board. Four people spoke in person. No one spoke remotely. 

Written Communications: Ms. Brown presented the emails that the Board received from members of the community since the last report, as listed in the Board meeting agenda, all of which received a response from the Board and/or District administration.

Consent Agenda: The Board approved the items on the Consent Agenda, including the Personnel Report.