Just in case you didn’t receive it, this is a reminder that the Edgemont Community Survey is available and the deadline was extended to Monday(1/13). This is a great opportunity to weigh in on the important issues surrounding the school facilities. For more information and a link to the survey, please refer to the below from Superintendent Kniewel:
Dear Members of the Edgemont Community,
Happy New Year! I wish all the best to you and your families in 2020. Thank you to those of you who have completed the survey about our district’s facilities already. I understand there may have been a glitch that prevented some of you from responding. We have addressed this issue and invite you to try again. In order to get as many responses as possible, we have extended the deadline to Monday, January 13, 2020. Please take a moment to complete the survey and share your thoughts. The original email, which explains the purpose of the survey and includes links to additional information, appears below.
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me.
Sincerely,
Victoria Kniewel
Dear Members of the Edgemont Community,
In the life cycle of every school district, there are critical times for the community to come together and make decisions. In Edgemont, with our consistently high expectations and sound investments in our schools, we have reached one of those times. As I was recently quoted in the Scarsdale Inquirer’s December 13, 2019 article, “The district is running out of space and needs to do something about it.”
Many of our school facilities, which have served us well for many years, are now in need of expansion, renovation, and/or replacement. The district’s growing enrollment, the aging out of some facilities and systems, and evolving programmatic needs demand more space if we are to continue to deliver the quality and quantity of learning experiences our students require and our community expects. Most critically, there is a shortage of classrooms in all three schools. Systems such as HVAC and electrical are outdated; core spaces such as cafeterias and auditoriums no longer meet our students’ needs nor accommodate district growth. We need to continue to upgrade our campuses to reflect our evolving understanding of best practices in school security and safety. Parking and vehicle access to the campuses are insufficient.
You can review a detailed summary of the space issues at all three schools and a recent presentation on student enrollment. We are in the process of creating a website specifically for information regarding capital projects and bonding. This website will launch in January 2020.
Where there are challenges, there are also opportunities. As the school district confronts these issues, we have the chance to envision the future we want for our children. Many parents, community members, faculty and staff have shared their thoughts in person at community forums and meetings. Whether or not you were able to attend those meetings, join the community in voicing your opinions via this anonymous survey. Your input will assist district leaders and Board of Education members in making informed decisions regarding facilities, as we balance the physical needs with the tax impact associated with these improvements. Please take a few minutes to consider these issues and to share your thoughts by January 10th.
Sincerely,
Victoria Kniewel