December 3, 2025 - Board Brief
December 3, 2025 - Board of Education Meeting
Last night’s Board of Education meeting included a Public Hearing on the District Wide Safety and Emergency Management Plan 🚨. The Board approved updates adding a cardiac emergency response component, including venue-specific procedures, American Heart Association–recommended practices, and staff training protocols. The updated plan is available on the District website HERE.
Dr. McKersie presented this week’s Superintendent’s Report by spotlighting vibrant learning across all three schools—from Hillside students experimenting with sound, light, and materials at the Westchester Children’s Museum, to FMS debaters earning top honors and qualifying for the prestigious Harvard Speech & Debate competition, to Hastings High School students leading another successful Project SHARE Thanksgiving Dinner for hundreds of guests. These moments showcase our students’ innovation, leadership, and deep commitment to community 🌟.
Maureen Caraballo reported that Farragut Wing construction remains on schedule, with all contractors confirming smooth operations. She also shared highlights from the recent Bond OCAM Meeting: favorable soil borings for the new addition, planned solar equipment relocation, athletic field and masonry plans on track, and positive results from Hillside HVAC testing. Projects are currently below budget đź’°.
Melissa Szymanski, Ed.D., shared an update on the Panorama Diagnostic Screening đź“Š, administered in early November with approximately 93% participation. The counseling team, led by Lori Aufiero, is using the data to support at-risk students, and the district will continue analyzing Panorama for future social-emotional screening and student wellbeing.
Jeanne Farruggio, Interim Assistant Superintendent of Pupil Personnel Services, highlighted ongoing professional development 📚, including PAF Reading Program training, CPI crisis intervention, and co-teaching support. Staff continue workshops through BOCES/Tri-States, while ACCESS-VR supports students’ pre-employment planning. SEPTA family engagement, grant opportunities, NYSED reporting, and preparations for next year’s student services are also underway 📝.
📅 Calendar Update: During last night’s discussion of the proposed 2026–27 School Calendar, the Board considered shifting Spring Recess from March to April. At that time, Ardsley, Irvington, and Scarsdale were also exploring an April break. After the meeting, Bill reached out to his superintendent network: Ardsley has decided to revert to March to align with SWBOCES and avoid staffing challenges, and Irvington is doing the same. With most neighboring districts now planning March recess, we recommend Hastings maintain the March dates and adopt the calendar at the December 16 BOE meeting.
The next Board of Education meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, December 16, 2025, at 6:00 p.m. in the Hillside Multi-Purpose Room.
🎥 Missed the meeting? Watch the full recording, including all presentations and discussions HERE.