November 4 BOE Meeting Recap

Dear Pleasantville Families, 

Thank you to everyone who joined us for the November 4th Board of Education meeting, whether in person or virtually. The Board continues to focus on maintaining transparency, celebrating student achievement, and engaging the community in meaningful discussions about district priorities. 

If you were unable to attend, a full recording of the meeting is available here, and the meeting agenda can be found here. 

Below is a brief summary of key items from the meeting: 

District Report Card Presentation (click to view presentation) 

Dr. Lutinski and Dr. Deitch presented the 2024–25 District Report Card, providing a comprehensive look at student experience, achievement, and growth. The presentation centered on Pleasantville’s mission to empower students as lifelong learners, dynamic thinkers, and compassionate, contributing citizens—a vision reflected in five key areas of the Portrait of a Student: 

• Rich, Differentiated Academic Progress
• Community Engagement, Leadership & Service
• Exploration of Passions and Interests
• College and Career Readiness
• Data-Informed Instruction and Support

Highlights included: 

• High Student Achievement: Pleasantville students generally performed 10–15% higher than peers across southern Westchester on New York State assessments in ELA, Math, and Science.
• Regents Performance: Over 90%proficiency across all Regents exams (ELA, Math, Science, and Social Studies).
• Advanced Placement (AP): Students participated in 22 AP courses with strong performance results. Pleasantville earned AP Honor Roll Gold Status.
• Open Enrollment Philosophy: The District continues to encourage students to “stretch, not strain,” by enrolling in challenging coursework with the guidance of counselors. While this may impact proficiency benchmarks, providing greater access to these college-level classes is consistent with our mission to promote the development of our students over rankings.
• Dual Enrollment Programs: In addition to AP courses, PHS’s partnerships with SUNY Albany, Westchester Community College, and Syracuse University provide students with the opportunity to earn college credit while in High School.
• Class of 2025:Achieved a 100% graduation rate, with93% matriculating to 4-year colleges, 6% matriculating to 2-year colleges: 6%, and 1% matriculating to work/military.

The report emphasized a commitment to effective and evolving instruction, collaborative data review, and targeted supports that meet the needs of every learner. 

As a reminder, these scores are largely a glimpse at a moment in time. The school uses a variety of tools to measure learning over the course of a year and tailor solutions that focus on success for each of our students.  

Superintendent’s Report 

• Dr.Lutinskishared updates from the November Superintendent’s Conference Day, highlighting professional learning and collaboration across all schools:
  • Districtwide: Special Education staff completed Crisis Prevention Intervention training; the Music Department attended a conference at the Music Conservatory of Westchester; and teachers engaged in curriculum mapping across all grade levels.
  • Bedford Road School: Focused on Reading Fundamentals and classroom library organization.
  • Middle School: Explored AI policy and instructional use of technology tools like Schoology and Microsoft.
  • High School: Teachers practiced Question Formulation Technique (QFT) strategies and began a college essay writing series with consultant Wendy Fried.
• Additional updates included:
  • National School Psychology Week (Nov. 3–7): Celebrating the theme “Finding Your Path.”
  • Community & Student Highlights: Kindergarten community walks, 2nd-grade and 5th-grade Arc Stages partnerships, and Area All-State performances by PHS musicians.
  • Fall Athletics: Varsity Boys & Girls Soccer advanced to Section 1 Championships; Field Hockey reached Semifinals; Cross Country and Diving teams competed in postseason events.

Capital Project Update: Pleasantville Forward, Together 

Dr. Lutinski previewed the November 20 Community Forum, where updated concepts for the Fields & Lights, BRS Outdoor Space, and STEAM instructional improvements will be presented. 

Key Recommendations from Community Facilities Committees’ Subcommittees include: 

• Fields & Lights:
  • Maintain grass on the Back Field; improve irrigation, seating, and infrastructure.
  • Replace turf and track on main fields; add fencing, bathrooms, and concessions.
  • Install LED Dark Sky–certified lighting and sound mitigation measures on the High School Main Field.
• BRS Outdoor Space: Multiple play structures for varied ages, shade features, green space, and updated fencing and security gate.

• STEAM: Upgrades to science labs, art, and multipurpose rooms; flexible furniture; improved lighting; enhanced visual and audiotechnology integration.

All are encouraged to join us on November 20 at 7:30 PM in the High School Auditorium for our third Capital Project Community Forum. 

Discussion Item: Natural Gas Procurement Optimization Program 

Assistant Superintendent for Business, John Chow, explained a new bid process under the Energy Resources Corp consultant program to provide cost savings on the district’s natural gas expenses. 

• Projected initial savings: $10,000 in the first five months, with potential for $20,000 annually.
• The proposal will be presented at the November 18 Board of Education meeting, with contract implementation expected in January 2026.

Consent Agenda & New Business 

• Both the Consent Agenda and New Business propositions were approved (3–0).*
• The consent agenda included a donation from the Pleasantville-Hiawatha Masonic Lodge. Masonic Lodge member and head of the organization's charitable committee, Tony Burton, joined the meeting to present the check to Dr. Lutinski and discuss some of their work in the community and the upcoming holiday tree sale.

*Note: Erin Ballard and John Vamossy were not in attendance to vote. 

Recognition of the Audience: No comments shared during this session. 

Closing Remarks 

• Loredana: Thanked the BRS staff for the successful Halloween Parade.
• Lucas: Reported on NYSSBA Convention participation, including seminars on cell phone policy and Artificial Intelligence; and collaboration with district leadership on BRS Outdoor Space planning.
• Julian (Student Ex Officio): Discussed Red Ribbon Week, the early stages of a potential formation of a Student Committee on technology and STEAM; and fall athletics achievements.
• Mike: Proposed that Julian and other student leaders could help peers understand safe behavior on the turf and track(e.g., motorized bikes and scooters causing damage).

These updates reflect the District’s ongoing commitment to academic excellence, student well-being, and open communication. As always, the Board encourages community members to stay informed, ask questions, and be part of the conversation. 

The next Board of Education meeting is scheduled for November 18, 2025, at 7:30 PM in the High School Library. 

Warm regards, 

The Pleasantville Schools Board of Education