Letter to the Editor: Building Trust and Moving Forward
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- Written by Diane Greenwald
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This letter was written by Diane Greenwald.
It is unfortunate that the slim report released yesterday about the District payroll tax issues did not come with greater analysis by the board. I hope they will share more in the near future about what this means for the District going forward. Did this report meet their expectations? What did they learn and what questions remain? I want to acknowledge their efforts as intentional and responsible, if not perfect. They are committed to transparency, but they can do more, and I encourage them to consider how. Transparency does not mean all actions are public, but that all actions are contextualized and explained. I hope they will return to the public with greater insights and explain how they will take their learning and concerns forward.
What I think I get from the report and the sanction letters for senior staff, is that this chapter was a mistake, apparently human error without a crime, and hopefully it will be fixed, Scarsdale will eventually get the money back from an understaffed IRS, and new procedures will ensure this error doesn’t happen again. The good news is this mistake did not directly harm children. The bad news is we now know that the former superintendent lied and withheld information, seemingly out of self-serving arrogance, and his senior staff was too disenfranchised or too scared to connect directly with the board on this matter. Many parents in the community, and apparently faculty, have felt the unwelcoming culture that will sadly be Hagerman’s legacy.
Going forward, I will not focus on placing blame or looking for heads to roll. Frankly, even if its warranted, its likely a waste of resources in the highly regulated civil service world. And Hagerman is someone else’s problem now. I personally will be looking for bigger questions to be asked about our district culture, one that has been seemingly dysfunctional. In a school system that is meant to be a model of good will, non sibi, what will the board do now with this information? How can the board help heal divides and address issues that do impact kids, like faculty morale, student wellness, and developing a strategic plan with an actual strategy for investment into innovation and capital projects? Our resources may be ample, but they are finite, and we need tools for decision-making about looming needs. We can improve a budget process so that it better links to student priorities, parent values and faculty expertise in exciting ways! We need welcome.
There is reason for hope. The board has the opportunity now to hire a visionary, compassionate and innovative leader for our wonderful children, faculty and community. The board is on their way. They wrote an excellent RFP for the superintendent search firm, and will hopefully be explaining a vibrant search process, one that is accountable to a public plan on a timeline with ample opportunities for input and understanding. They have not gotten this right in the past, but I hope they will learn going forward. I look forward to learning the ways the community can engage and how the board will reflect their understanding of our collective values.
We, the supportive community, desperately want to trust the board’s leadership. The board can start that positive spiral by trusting us and respecting our capacity for reason and knowledge. I am tired of the mantra that allows parents to be considered toxic. I don’t deny there are entitled (difficult) folks here, but overwhelmingly, parents are the hardworking, supportive backbone of this district. Our children are filled with promise and we value and respect our talented faculty, who help our children grow into contributing global citizens. We need the board to help us come together around these wonderful shared assets.
In the communications that did accompany the report, I applaud the board for expressing commitment to collaboration with the administration, because that is absolutely the goal, to forge successful partnerships. I hope the board will expand focus on many partnerships across all stakeholders, like between board and the community, between faculty and administration, between parents and teachers, and teachers and students! I fear that board language about collaboration with the administration will ring hollow until parents and community can understand and feel changes in approach, attitude and actions. And then the trust will come back.
Thank you to the Board of Education for your fortitude in face of this difficult year. Please redouble your commitment to sharing your critical thinking with us, so we know you hear us and see what we see. Excellence is not perfection but the willingness to reflect and improve. Good luck going forward with your critical task. I am cautiously optimistic so please, prove my hope justified.
Stephanie Peltz and Daniel Faierman Married in Bridgehampton
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- Written by Joanne Wallenstein
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It is with great pride that Brynn and Jay Peltz of Scarsdale, NY announce the wedding of their daughter, Stephanie Rachel Peltz to Daniel Phillip Faierman, son of Lori and Alvin Faierman.
Stephanie was born and raised in Scarsdale, NY. She attended Cornell University, earning a BS in Hospitality Administration with a minor in Real Estate. Stephanie currently works as a Senior Associate on the LP Originations team at RealtyMogul.
Daniel was born and raised in San Diego, CA. He attended Yale University, earning a BA in Psychology. Daniel is currently an MBA candidate at the Stanford Graduate School of Business.
Stephanie and Daniel were married on June 11, 2022 before friends and family at Bridgehampton Tennis and Surf Club in Bridgehampton, NY.
Director of Counseling Says Pandemic Has Had a Major Impact on the College Admissions Process
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- Written by Joanne Wallenstein
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Oren Iosepivici, Director of Counseling at Scarsdale High SchoolHow have the new "test optional" policy, changes in legacy admissions and diversity targets impacted college admissions for Scarsdale students? SHS Director of Counseling Oren Iosepovici shares thoughts and stats below:
1. As we emerge from the COVID crisis, how was the college counseling process this year? Were you able to meet with students and parents in person?
By and large, the counseling process this year felt much more normal, certainly as compared to last year. Depending on individual circumstances, we were able to hold many meetings in person, and more so as the year progressed. Though there is no substitute for an in-person interaction, there are certainly some benefits to having a virtual option, especially with respect to convenience for parents who do not have to completely rearrange their schedules. As we do every year, we will reflect on our experiences and thoughtfully consider whether a hybrid approach may work best for our students and families moving forward.
2. Since many of this year’s seniors could not visit schools in-person, how has that affected their choices of where to apply?
The opportunity to visit colleges was much more available this year, so we saw less of an issue than we did for the past two graduating classes. Anecdotally speaking (and individual experiences may not always speak to this of course), we found students were able to visit schools in person in the fall. This was most evident if they were considering applying somewhere under an early admissions plan and wanted to make one last visit.
3. How has the new test optional policy, legacy admission policy and diversity targets affected Scarsdale student’s college application and admissions experience?
There is no doubt that the Covid-19 pandemic has had a major impact on the admissions process, and that “test optional” has been the primary driving force of this shift. Over the past few years, and especially the last two, the number of applications at many schools has increased substantially. Across the country, those who may have shied away from applying to a specific school (due to having lower test scores than the published average) now felt more empowered to apply. For the colleges themselves, this was an opportunity to see students in their applicant pool who may not have previously applied, and to fulfill a promise they had long made to their own constituencies - that is, to enroll a student body that is broader in every respect - socioeconomic, geographic, and one that includes students from diverse backgrounds.
To demonstrate the immense changes that have happened, I feel it would be helpful to share some of these statistics to show how much more selective this process has gotten overall. In any given year, our seniors collectively apply to hundreds of different schools, and focusing on one or two subsets (i.e. Ivy, “top 50”, etc…) does not speak to this fact. To that end, the list below includes schools that are among our top twenty “most applied to” institutions:
The numbers above extend far beyond these colleges, and reflect the increase I had mentioned previously. The current admissions landscape has provided schools with an applicant pool that allows them to admit and matriculate a more diverse group of students. At the same time, most institutions have not grown in size, so the growth in applicants has caused a decrease in the admissions rate. It would come as no surprise that most applicants (whether they live in Scarsdale or not) would therefore experience a more challenging admissions outlook. For example, NYU’s admission rate was 32% five years ago and 12% this year. It would therefore stand to reason that students who were clearly admissible a few short years ago (even one or two years ago) would face considerable headwinds now.
To your question regarding impact on legacy, diversity, etc., the answer is “of course we're seeing a shift in how these factors influence admissions decisions.” An increase in the applicant pool has generally meant a larger group of students that would be attractive to institutions interested in developing a more diverse community, and most schools’ missions are focused on that goal. Though children of alumni/ae continue to have an advantage at some institutions, a school’s focus on other priorities means that other factors that benefited some students in the past may not have the same impact as they did twenty, ten or even five years ago.
4. What if any aspects of students' experiences and applications have become more or less important in this new environment?
It might be surprising to learn that at many institutions, test scores were never the primary driver in the admissions process. The test optional movement has made this even more stark. Many of us would argue that the amount of time we see students prepare for exams is not congruent with their overall significance in the process. As always, a student’s performance in their academic coursework continues to play the most important role. Other factors include ones that provide a holistic picture of the student, including the essay, involvement beyond the classroom, and letters of recommendation. While strong test scores are certainly not harmful, we often see students devote significant time, energy, and of course financial resources in trying to achieve a specific goal with respect to test score. A point (or two) on an ACT, or 40 or 50 points on the SAT does not provide the benefits that many students believe.
5. Given the competitive environment, how do you manage parent and student expectations?
We view “managing expectations” as one of the most difficult aspects of our role. We are counselors first and foremost, and we do not relish in increasing student stress, nor providing information that is upsetting. Unfortunately, that is sometimes the reality, as we would simply not be fulfilling our responsibilities if we were not providing honest information to our constituencies. We do not love the terms likely, target, and reach, but however one chooses to categorize schools, schools that may have seemed realistic a few years ago given a specific academic profile may be in a completely different category now. The admissions world has changed, and it’s my sense that some may still see schools’ selectivity as they did ten or twenty years ago. That perspective fails to account for the current reality.
We believe that finding the right fit is what is truly important, and that the “best” school does not necessarily mean the most selective one. From our vantage point, the most important factor in the college process is developing a well-balanced list of schools that meets that individual’s criteria and preferences. For example, if a student is interested in institutions that would provide a healthy balance of academics and sports, there are many schools that would fit that criteria. If another is interested in small liberal arts schools, there are just as many that would be a match.
We focus on providing students with a comprehensive list of schools that is balanced with respect to selectivity, and will ultimately allow students options to choose from. To that end, we do our best to familiarize ourselves with the incredible opportunities that are available nationally, and we ask our students to keep an open mind and remember that there are many wonderful places where they could be successful.
It might surprise students and parents to learn that beyond the extensive programming we offer students, there is considerable work done behind the scenes through conversations we have as a department. One such example is in late fall, we meet as a group to review the college list of every one of our seniors, providing feedback and suggestions to each other regarding an individual student’s list and whether additional suggestions make sense based on the likely outcomes. It reflects our mission of consistently reflecting on our students, their goals, and how we can best support them.
6. Overall, what is the average number of schools students are applying to? How does this compare to previous years and what has been the impact on the guidance department?
A few years ago, it was not uncommon for students to apply to an average of 6-10 schools. For a variety of factors, those numbers have increased. For some context, we processed over 6200 transcript requests in the Counseling office this past year, which is an average of 15 applications per student. Those include schools that students were considering applying to but never did due to an early acceptance, but still reflects the increased volume we are seeing.
I would add that as unpredictable as the process may seem to students, given our experience and careful analysis of data, we are not often surprised by ultimate decisions. There are of course exceptions to this, both positive and otherwise, but overall we look to counsel our students to reflect on their profile and how that fits into the specific schools they are considering.
7. What majors or special programs such as STEAM, engineering, medicine etc. are trending with this class? Have the number of students applying to liberal arts programs decreased? Are you seeing geographic shifts in where students are willing to travel for school? Differences in attitudes between attending city vs. country locations?
I wouldn’t say there has been a specific trend with special programs or majors, nor have we seen a shift with respect to the number of students applying to liberal arts programs. As of this writing, approximately 25% of our students who are pursuing postsecondary education will do so in New York State, with the remaining number attending institutions out of state and internationally. That is relatively consistent with previous years. We also note the fact that our students applied to over 370 unique schools this past year, and will end up matriculating at approximately 130 different institutions. That speaks to the diversity of interests and criteria our students have, and is often surprising to those who believe that “everyone applies to and attends the same schools”.
8. Any advice on college prospects and planning you would offer to parents and underclassmen?
Though some of the recent trends and data may be sobering, the reality is that the vast majority of our students find a “home” they are thrilled with. There are so many wonderful options to choose from, and as long as students are self reflective and realistic, the process can and should be an exciting one. Just as importantly, we find our alumni/ae to report they are well prepared regardless of the ultimate destination.
As Deans, we believe that students should see their high school journey as providing them with the ability to develop life long skills. If students focus on their personal and emotional growth, this process can simply be an extension of that rather than the pursuit of an ultimate prize to attain.
9. Any other thoughts you wish to share?
We continue to engage colleagues on the admissions side to gain insight into the latest trends and practices. Deans are members of local and national counseling organizations, and every year we attend several admissions conferences, as well as travel to dozens of institutions to gain firsthand knowledge of schools. Our ongoing professional development is done in the service of our students and families, allowing us to provide the most updated information, as well as insight to schools our students may not be as familiar with. We recognize that college admissions is incredibly important to so many in our school community, and we will continue to emphasize to students to focus on their personal and academic growth, rather than experiencing high school as a means to an end.
Teen Drives Car into Fox Meadow Home and More from the Scarsdale Police
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- Written by Joanne Wallenstein
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A young driver missed his turn, traversed the curb and drove into a house at 1 Wayside Lane on Monday June 6, 2022.(Updated June 9, 2022) An 18 year-old driver missed his turn in Fox Meadow, and ran into a house on Monday morning June 6, shortly before noon.
According to the police report, a senior at Scarsdale High School was driving north on Fox Meadow Road. As he approached the intersection of Wayside Lane he attempted to make a right turn, but lost control of the 2015 Chevy Equinox, drove over the curb, onto the property and ran into the house at 1 Wayside Lane.
Fortunately no injuries were reported.
Bicycle Hit
On Friday afternoon May 27 at 4:40 pm, the 67 year-old driver of a 2021 Mercedes SUV hit the front tire of a bike belonging to an 11 year old boy who was crossing the Post Road at Edgewood Road in the crosswalk.
Car Hits Home
An 82 year-old driver attempted to back out of a driveway on Rectory Lane and struck a retaining wall and a house, also on Rectory Lane at 6:30 pm on Friday June 3, 2022.
Stolen Jeep
A 2019 gray Jeep Cherokee, valued at $36,000 was reported stolen from the street in front of an Axtell Drive home on June 3, 2022. The owner thought the keys had been left in the Jeep which had been left unlocked.
Burglary
Police received a report of a broken window and possible burglary of a home on Griffen Avenue on June 4, 2022. The property manager who lives in a separate house on the property noticed a closet light on and called the police who went inside and found a broken window on the second floor.
Trespass
On June 1, Mamaroneck Road residents reported an attempted trespass at their home. The residents gave police security footage recording the attempt in the past. No entry was made into the building.
Pool Problems
On June 1, police were called about a pool that was being drained at a home on Murray Hill Road into a storm drain on the street without a permit. Police were unable to contact the homeowners but issued a violation for “drainage onto streets and sidewalk, with a court date of June 22, 2022.
Death
At 1:30 pm on June 1, police were called about the death of a 90 year-old woman on Old Lyme Road. She was pronounced dead by a paramedic from SVAC and her primary care physician agreed to sign the death certificate. Her remains were turned over to Edwin L. Bennett Funeral Home.
Found
-A Honda car key and fob found in front of Chat Restaurant were turned over to Scarsdale Police on June 1, 2022.
-A wallet containing $16, and two debit cards was found at Quaker Ridge School on June 4, 2022 and turned over to police.
Road Rage
On May 30, a female motorist claimed she was followed from Bronxville by a red colored vehicle that stopped following her close to her home on Brown Road. As she neared her home, the disgruntled driver behind her eventually stopped following her, and further conflict was avoided.
Fox Chases Resident
A Birchall Drive resident called police, claiming a fox chased her and her dog. The startled resident was safe by the time support arrived, and the fox slipped away without causing any further difficulties on May 30.
Fireworks in Eastchester
A resident on Boulevard heard fireworks being set off from an Eastchester Park. Upon arriving at the scene on May 30, nobody was at the scene, though the claims of the fireworks were corroborated. There was nothing else the Scarsdale Police could do about the issue at the time.
Milk Man Mix-up
On June 2, a Richbell Road resident contacted police when a white van backed into their driveway and two people walked out, claiming they were making milk deliveries. After clarifying that milk had indeed been ordered, the confusion was centered around the timing of the delivery.
Gas Leaf Blowers Complaints
There were many cases of neighbors calling about the use of gas leaf blowers despite their ban. Police distributed flyers to warn against potential future use.
Turtles Stop Traffic
On May 30, a Norma Place resident found a turtle stopped in the roadway. Responders moved the turtle to a pond area behind the residences nearby.
A Seneca Road resident called when they spotted a snapping turtle on their property on June 2. It was subsequently moved off the property and to safety.
Also on June 2, a Tisdale Road resident called police about a giant snapping turtle parked in the middle of their driveway with no way of moving it. The police found it was protecting an egg and advised the homeowner to contact animal services for its safe removal.
Fencing Fight
On June 3 a Hampton Road resident claimed her neighbor was removing a fence which belonged to her. Before the fence could be removed, police said the residents should contact Village Hall to discuss the location of the property line.
Bike Theft on June 4th
A Post Road resident called the police about someone stealing their bike overnight. The robbery was caught on film. The residents requested no further action to be made with the exception of raising awareness about the presence of certain thieves.
This police report is sponsored by Scarsdale Security who does more than just security. Contact them about remote video for your home or business. Call 914-722-2200 or visit their website.
Brown, Pascutti and Schulhof Elected, Budget Passes with 77% Approval Rate
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Ron Schulhof, Suzie Hahn Pascutti and Colleen Brown were elected to the Scarsdale School Board (Updated 5-18) The mood was upbeat at the Scarsdale Middle School gym on Tuesday night May 17, 2022 while board members, nominees, administrators and parents waited for the counts for the budget and school board votes.
The entire cabinet turned out including Interim Superintendent Andrew Patrick, Assistant Superintendents Eric Rauschenbach, Edgar McIntosh, Stuart Mattey, Treasurer Jeff Martin, Technology Directors Jerry Crisci and Rachel Moseley along with District Clerk Honore Adams and Press Officer Michele Verna. Perhaps, due to the recent resignation of School Superintendent Dr. Hagerman following the revelation of a tax issue with the IRS, school leadership was on hand to reinforce their support for the Scarsdale Schools.
The school board election was uncontested and the three candidates nominated by the School Board Nominating Committee were the only names on the ballot. Ron Schulhof was nominated to serve a second term, along with newcomers Coleen Brown and Suzi Hahn Pascutti.
The Board of Education had also experienced some upheaval when Board President Karen Ceske and Board Member Carl Finger both opted not to run for second three year terms. That left the Board with two more vacancies and few seasoned members to lead in difficult times.
While waiting for the result of the vote, we learned that Mayra Kirkendall-Rodriguez had made a last minute push for write in votes. Citing unexplained IRS penalties and liens, lack of response to question and the lack of a long term financial plan she urged voters to elect her due to her expertise as a financial risk consultant and PTA volunteer.
When the votes were counted, the 2022-23 budget passed with a 77% approval rate with 496 yes votes to 148 no votes. Voter turnout was light, in comparison to 2021 when a contested election for the school board brought out 1,788 voters, and in 2020 when 4,153 budget votes were cast. See a history of Scarsdale budget votes below: 
This year, school board candidates received the following number of votes:
Ron Schulhof 448
Colleen Brown 415
Suzie Hahn Pascutti 445
At the time, Election Officer Rita Golden announced there were 266 write-in votes and 153 of those were for Mayra Kirkendall-Rodriguez. At the election, the district clerk did not delineate for whom the remaining write in votes were cast.
However on 5-18, the district updated the results and released the details of the write in votes:
They provided the following counts, totalling 220 not 266 write in votes.
Mayra Kirkendall-Rodriguez: 184
Irin Israel: 3
ABC: 3
None: 3
Yaniv Blumenfeld: 3
Ron Schulhof :1
Colleen Brown: 1
Suzie Hahn Pascutti: 1
Brian Leff: 1
Julie Leff: 1
Neil Leff: 1
Tara Greco: 1
Michael Otten: 1
Megan Simon: 1
Ann Marie Nee: 1
Robert Berg: 1
Robert November: 1
Chris Morin: 1
Diane M. Gatto: 1
Albert Kramer: 1
Preet Bharara:1
Kerry Hayes: 1
Mimi Rocah:1
Thomas Maguire: 1
David Brown: 1
David Buchen: 1
David Benderson: 1
Moira Crouch: 1
Edward P. Rooney Jr. 1
The voters approved a $173 mm budget which translates to a 3.45% increase in the tax levy, below the maximum allowable rate of 3.5%. Due to rising concerns about mental health, the budget includes funding for an additional school psychologist and a social worker at both the middle and high schools. At the elementary schools an additional math teacher will be hired to implement a new Next Generation math program. Per pupil spending is $35,291 per student, placing Scarsdale as the seventh highest spender in the 53 districts in Westchester/Putnam/Rockland counties.
Current and future school board members gathered for a photo with Interim Superintendent Andrew Patrick.
We chatted with Interim Superintendent Andrew Patrick, who has been on the job for less than two weeks, about his priorities for the coming months. He mentioned hiring the two new school psychologists and social workers, continuing work on the school's Diversity, Equity and Inclusion policy and returning to the school's strategic plan to set priorities for the coming school year.
Following the announcement, the Board of Education passed a resolution to acknowledge the results of the budget vote and Board of Education election and Board President Karen Ceske and Interim Superintendent Andrew Patrick thanked everyone who ran the election and participated by voting.
Amber Yusuf, Colleen Brown and Karen Ceske
Leah Debitzer and Art Rublin
Technology Team: Rachel Moseley and Gerry Crisci
