From the Ardsley school district following recent threats that evacuated the school

June 24, 2008
As many of you are aware, the unusual events of June 2nd and 3rd  that occurred at our Middle School, coupled with discipline, safety and security, and school leadership issues, resulted in a highly charged atmosphere of concern.  The Board of Education conducted an open community forum on June 9, 2008 to listen to community issues and to respond, wherever legally permissible, to questions.
The Board acted to address immediate concerns.  We want to inform you about those actions that have been ongoing, as well as new initiatives that will continue to address the concerns we heard at the public forum.

Discipline :
During the spring, the Board, along with the administration and staff of the Middle School, determined that our Code of Behavior for students needed to be reviewed and revised.  The Planning and Performance Leadership Team (PPLT) of the Ardsley Middle School has begun to review the Code of Behavior.  We are utilizing other school districts’ codes as models in rewriting our Middle School’s Code of Behavior.  Clear understanding of code infractions, and unambiguous and absolute consequences for inappropriate actions will be at the core of the rewrite, along with a well defined understanding of “bullying” issues.  We are committed to articulate, and respond to, in absolute terms, that we will not tolerate any form of student-to-student “bullying.”
While our Code of Behavior is going through this revision, we will adopt an interim code, effective September, 2008.   We will use other school districts’ codes that are being utilized in our rewrite.  A clearly articulated Code of Behavior, providing clearly defined infractions and the appropriate consequences, will assure consistent and equal treatment for all students.  During the course of the 2008/09 school year, the Board of Education will be asked to approve an updated Code of Behavior for each of the Ardsley schools at a public meeting.

Board Trustee Vacancy :
In response to the resignation of a first year trustee, the Board of Education is reviewing the options to best determine how the vacant seat will be filled.  The Board will be meeting on June 24 th to make this decision and will communicate shortly thereafter.  For your information, by law, the Board may appoint a community resident to fill the vacancy until the next District election in May 2009; it may conduct a special election for the purpose of filling the remaining term of the vacated seat; or if the Board does not fill the vacancy in a timely manner then, in all likelihood, the Commissioner of Education, through the offices of the Regional BOCES Superintendent, would name an individual to fill the vacancy.  In the past, the Board has chosen to appoint a community resident to fill the vacancy until the next District election.  It is the Board’s desire to move expeditiously to return to a five-member Board of Education.

Safety and Security :
The District has had very detailed and regularly reviewed Safety and Security plans in place for many years, even prior to legislation being promulgated by the State of  New York under its “SAVE” legislation (a result of the Columbine school incident).  Best practices are incorporated into our plans each year to assure that the safety and security of our students and staff is never compromised.  On June 3, 2008, the implementation of these plans in conducting a necessary evacuation of staff and students from the Ardsley Middle School was greatly challenged.  The unusual events of the day before the evacuation led to parent concern reaching a high level and led to Middle School students who were successfully transferred to the High School not being dismissed in a calm and orderly manner.  Under the guidance of Director of Facilities, Joe Urbanowicz, we have reviewed, and will continue to review (and modify when necessary) our K-12 Safety and Security plans.  This will include a thorough review of the evacuation and dismissal that occurred on June 3 rd .  We wish to reiterate that at no time during the events of June 2 nd or June 3 rd were our students or staff in “harm’s way.”  We are very sensitive to the concerns raised by the community regarding student safety. We wish to assure you that the safety and security of all the children and staff in our school system remains our highest priority.

School Leadership :
The Superintendent of Schools has met with the teaching staff of the Middle School.  While we understand the depth of concern that some parents expressed regarding Middle School leadership, we, nonetheless, know that any first year building administrator will demonstrate strengths of leadership as well as revealing areas that need to be improved and mastered.  This meeting was held to hear specific concerns and then to work with staff and the Middle School administration to formulate working plans to improve those areas that will allow for a healthier and more cooperative environment at the Middle School.
We believe that working together we will be able to address in a positive manner issues that have been raised.  We are committed to providing a positive learning environment, enabling our teachers and staff to offer educational, and personal opportunities for our children to reach their goals.  We believe that working with the entire education community of Ardsley will ensure the continued success of our children and District.

Mark Cohen, President
Joanne G. Sold, Vice President
Frank J. Hariton, Trustee
Lee H. Lew, Trustee
Steven Kastin, Board Member Elect