Update from the Pleasantville Schools Board of Education |
Thank you to those who tuned in to the August 11 Board of Education Meeting. Below are highlights from the meeting. The Board continues to focus on maintaining transparency, celebrating student achievement, and engaging the community in meaningful discussions about district priorities.
A full recording of the meeting is available on the district’s YouTube channel, and the meeting agenda can be found here. |
STRATEGIC PLAN
- Superintendent Lutinski shared an update on preparations for the District’s next Strategic Plan. During their summer retreat, administrators reflected on the successful elements of Pleasantville 2026 and began laying the groundwork for the new planning process.
- Building on the Pleasantville 2026 model, the District plans to use a combination of stakeholder surveys and collaborative teams to engage the broader school community. The administrative team also reviewed the New York State Portrait of a Graduate alongside the strategies outlined in Pleasantville 2026, identifying a broad focus on meeting student needs.
- The planning process will consider both students’ academic and future-readiness needs and the development of the whole child, including well-being, character, and global citizenship, supported by the strength of the community and the professional expertise of District staff.
- A community survey is being developed and is expected to be distributed before students return for the new school year. Community members will also be invited to participate in a Strategic Plan Steering Committee, which will help review survey feedback and inform decision-making throughout the process.
CAPITAL PROJECT
- Planning continues for the voter-approved capital project. The District has held two Owner, Architect, and Construction Manager (OACM) meetings to align project scheduling and phasing. Work approved through the two propositions will be completed across three phases beginning in Summer 2027 and continuing through Spring and Summer 2028.
- The State Education Department approved the District’s expedited project items in late July. The next stage of planning will include initial User Group meetings on September 8 and 11, bringing together staff and stakeholders representing science, STEAM, arts, music, athletics, BRS outdoor spaces, and other project areas to provide input as designs move forward.
- The Community Facilities Committee (CFC) will also reconvene, with eight returning members and 21 new applicants representing students, parents, community members, and families across grade levels. The full committee will meet before participants break into subcommittees based on project areas and interests, and CFC members will also be included in the User Group process.
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No public comments were made. |
- The Board and Superintendent Lutinski held an initial discussion about potential revisions to Policy #3280, Use of School Facilities, Materials, and Equipment, and/or Policy #3410, Code of Conduct on School Property, with a focus on enhancing safety and protecting District infrastructure, including fields, tracks, and outdoor athletic equipment.
- Discussion included enforcement of existing policies; enhanced communication with the school community through ParentSquare, social media, student materials, and other channels; targeted outreach to student-athletes, coaches, and community organizations that use District facilities, such as AYSO and the DADS Club; updated signage where needed; and opportunities to reinforce civic responsibility among students.
- The Board also discussed potentially prohibiting the use of e-bikes on campus as an additional measure to promote safety and protect school facilities.
- The District will work closely with the Village and Chief Gilmartin to help ensure expectations are clearly communicated
- As a next step, the Board will review proposed policy changes at its August 25 meeting.
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APPROVED (4–0; 1 Abstention) |
The next Board of Education meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, August 25, 2026, at 7:30 PM in the High School library. The agenda will be posted to BoardDocs when available.
Warm regards,
The Pleasantville Schools Board of Education John Vamossy, Erin Ballard, Michael Busch, Lucas Cascardo, and Loredana Coughlan |
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