[{"_1":2,"_100":-5,"_101":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6627459,"mediaKeyId","2727659-80e669ffaa879dabd3a86a66b14f344b","parentId",2727659,"title","Board votes: donations accepted, indemnification resolution approved, BOCES lease authorized (one abstention)","audioSeconds",287,"startMs",5190000,"endMs",5477000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2727659-80e669ffaa879dabd3a86a66b14f344b&start=5190&end=5477","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2727659-80e669ffaa879dabd3a86a66b14f344b/thumbnail_5190000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6627459/New-York/Board-votes-donations-accepted-indemnification-resolution-approved-BOCES-lease-authorized-one-abstention","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6627459-36165c2c9cdc25f44534583656ae6530/orig.mp4?Expires=1771158652&Signature=TYta3k3VxAy2ap0lmvEm7B-Pf9GVFHveBdCzOR0Lwhk5H22SC0~dthO5ptHUIabdX6Kw2TP0IObThamPoTTwtWstGQW8f1YJGLgu02Ln0bNlQ29WzlssHzQr9ZyuqL-MXiUmYsW3A-7YDjf3R8c8EwMfI1kSvi~deP6cEVtkd3J0HPwluaPn-ZfpwWKFNY76sGT90oNr4Gn5HFX8~-4FOn1EAaPIy1QR-QE2dap4iPKgs89C5ZDYhO0LFKmMWMu32QyE2uUDwlXPdO~3raHYlxL-5-6jU7kXn6RW~BVmpmo3LqBNsRLpXzqWvYVSaJo2ervHSQN2Iz0iasbK~is9WA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","White Plains CSD","date","2025-03-21T11:15:06.83Z","article","The White Plains Board of Education recorded several formal actions during its March 10 meeting:

- Donations and grants: The board accepted multiple donations including a $50 Philip Barnett Memorial Scholarship gift (Nancy Desplas), $50 from Richard Crystal, a $4,200 White Plains High School PTA grant for band and orchestra travel, and $8,250 from Friends of the White Plains Public Schools for approved grants (including $4,000 for a high-school band trip, $750 for a Sing Sing Chronicles program and $3,500 for Broadway tickets for AVID seniors). Fifteen Spanish-language elementary books were also donated. The board approved acceptance of the donations.

- Cell-phone policy adoption: The board adopted the student cell-phone policy to be implemented in the 2025\u001326 academic year (see separate article for details and public comment that preceded the vote).

- Employee indemnification resolution: The board approved a resolution to provide indemnification for district employees named in a suit; the board clarified the action is a standard indemnification step and that it does not imply a finding of policy violations.

- Lease with Southern Westchester BOCES: The board authorized a lease agreement with Southern Westchester BOCES for use of classroom and other space at Rochambeau for the 07/01/2025\u00136/30/2026 school year. The motion passed with one abstention by a board member who serves on both the district board and the BOCES board and chose to abstain to avoid any appearance of conflict.

Votes were recorded by voice; the public record on several motions shows unanimous \"aye\" voice votes with the single noted abstention on the BOCES lease. The district clerk captured motions and seconds but the transcript does not include a roll-call tally of yes/no votes by named board member.

Ending: These actions complete the board's formal business for the evening and move operational items (donations, indemnification, facility lease) forward for implementation by district staff.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Board of Education Meeting – March 10 2025","oneSentenceSummary","At its March 10 meeting the White Plains Board accepted donations and grants, approved an employee indemnification resolution, adopted the cell-phone policy for 2025\u001326 and authorized a lease with Southern Westchester BOCES (one board member abstained).","taxTitle","WHITE PLAINS CITY SCHOOL DISTRICT, School Districts, New York","taxId",38507,"location","New York","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6627464,"White Plains Board adopts student cell-phone policy for 2025-26 after public comment on enforcement",4761,569000,5330000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2727659-80e669ffaa879dabd3a86a66b14f344b&start=569&end=5330","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2727659-80e669ffaa879dabd3a86a66b14f344b/thumbnail_569000.jpg","/articles/6627464/New-York/White-Plains-Board-adopts-student-cell-phone-policy-for-2025-26-after-public-comment-on-enforcement","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6627464-0b236f56b14fca160c2434d6f5771ccf/orig.mp4?Expires=1771158652&Signature=Ck4YB~MPNd9u0a8jBH07OgQmYVHiugeEWQTkeIf0EwKNUBUZ20MpZOisM77rpkDojdWB6kJkUFxCbj7-OkBmPaSFPIX6NvhH4WIQyDKkn0B9a9XyURR2Vo6ra3n4EEf5VPFes02a7jOuItZGiu~8s2CHkmrSvh0PFU7pk~Z81S0sTbm68YcDXM17YG8excSIeePIL3TX2szbiqqshCmfJuQ3~LQ-hRi2CejmoS5rG96nTUF3c3S8~OuefPP3X-vqwznusRflYhxGdE9uk0VAsTEmii3f7TcWGDJB1NGCumxKd8DMdWbn1oIbgqFf~~FSpVF~Qvto9DiLiNAhszXQIQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The White Plains Board of Education voted to adopt a district-wide student cell-phone policy to take effect in the 2025\u001326 academic year, following a public comment period in which a teacher-parent urged a clear, tiered enforcement protocol.

Parent and White Plains High School teacher Sarah Jabbour told the board that New York State's classroom ban on phones will need firm, consistent consequences to succeed, saying a ban \"will fail and the school culture will not change\" without them. She recommended a tiered approach: \"first tier being a warning, second, office confiscation with release to the student at the end of the day, third, office confiscation with release upon parent pickup, and further consequences for repeat violations,\" and urged clear communication to parents and teachers before the school year begins.

Board members, student representatives and district leaders said the policy adoption follows student feedback and was developed to allow local boards discretion in how to implement a state-level expectation. President Eller noted the policy adoption \"is adoption, which would put the policy in place to begin officially in the 20 25, 20 26 academic year,\" and board members thanked student representatives for soliciting input from peers.

Implementation details discussed by the board include incorporating the policy into the district code of conduct, communicating expectations and consequences to students and families before the school year, and planning staff supports for consistent enforcement. Officials said some classroom-level solutions (phone pockets, locks) may work differently across classrooms, so local adjustments are expected.

Ending: The board adopted the policy; district staff said they will proceed with implementation planning and community notification over the coming months, and will revisit the specific language if state law or the governor's final budget requires changes.","After a public comment urging clear, tiered consequences, the White Plains Board of Education voted to adopt a student cell-phone policy to begin in the 2025\u001326 school year; board and student representatives said the district will proceed with implementation and communication plans.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6627469,"White Plains schools propose $206.5M preliminary budget, recommends 1.67% tax-levy increase",3647,1686000,5333000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2727659-80e669ffaa879dabd3a86a66b14f344b&start=1686&end=5333","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2727659-80e669ffaa879dabd3a86a66b14f344b/thumbnail_1686000.jpg","/articles/6627469/New-York/White-Plains-schools-propose-2065M-preliminary-budget-recommends-167-tax-levy-increase","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6627469-6342e8b08c8b4e3f0ccaf761641feaef/orig.mp4?Expires=1771158652&Signature=mdNp1MdGi8~ZovYs~Z3wAahbnF5xT7ZHvdKHXXlqKAaoPGxngLjC0xhXGe1s0l4iQVppiauSJ23ahefEZkV6feFCIAGAg~iSQQxQE01I6Qolsbnetod-hh7T6sMDrQZJKeCFX5lelU6eycLZoRBwLgq0uRZL7K8DZ4UqrTszeareJw4qD4uPUbL3RLSeIJ51QUEMHDaHNUmzHpkuM61hDHDTsqP56gecLjj~FSznO8oi1VYt-9DJ-7d3gmlv73MuPhZZXL1ZgQ-ka-zJJWoCQF8We4ZlteLd6ZGiC8ASSoPDnafhAEc0wns8vuWAfcKOqO~QkOHR8fYoSGbLtQdz6g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Superintendent Dr. Urkel presented the White Plains City School District's preliminary proposed budget for the 2025\u001326 academic year, saying the plan \"is at 1.67% as a recommended, increase in, in this budget, again, within the tax cap\" and that it preserves existing student programs while closing projected shortfalls.

The budget presentation outlined revenue gains and expense drivers that shaped the proposal. District leaders said recent state aid changes produced an estimated $3.6 million increase in Foundation Aid and related allocations and an additional $1.2 million in expense-driven aid based on February data, which helped reduce the local levy requirement. The administration also plans to use reserves, including $3.3 million from capital reserves and debt-service reserve funds, to keep the capital tax levy flat compared with the previous year.

Why it matters: Board members and district leaders framed the proposal as a balance between sustaining instructional programs and limiting taxpayer impact. The district said about 77% of the operating budget would remain in program/instructional spending, with 7.67% administrative and 15.59% capital components.

School leaders detailed key program and staffing items that the budget would support. The district is funding curriculum and professional learning across grade levels, adopting K\u00132 ELA materials, continuing Science 21 aligned to state standards, expanding computer science and digital-fluency work, and supporting MTSS (multi-tiered system of supports). The preliminary budget includes a 1.0 FTE self-contained classroom at Mamaroneck Avenue School (one teacher, two teaching assistants, part-time speech) and a 0.4 FTE addition for high school dance through reallocation.

Dr. Urkel and other presenters emphasized long-range planning and fiscal management. They said the district has used capital reserves to avoid issuing debt for recent projects ($68.3 million used over eight years) and set aside funds for anticipated tax refunds on commercial properties. Officials noted continued pressure from rising costs in utilities, insurance, and retirement systems and said they are pursuing efficiency measures.

Planned facilities and operations investments were listed as high priorities: drainage and field work at Post Road and GW schools, security vestibules at Rochambeau and Eastview, auditorium chair replacements at Church Street, high-school locker-room HVAC and pool work, tennis court resurfacing, and installation of additional vaping/smoking detectors. Upgrades to security cameras (Verkada), cybersecurity, a new parent communication platform (ParentSquare), phone-system upgrades, and transportation changes (transition to Durham Bus Services, additional stop-arm cameras) were also part of the plan.

Board members praised the proposal's emphasis on instruction and long-range planning. President Eller and other board members highlighted outreach, committee review, and community input as part of the budget development process. The superintendent invited questions and directed the public to the district budget webpage and a dedicated email (abudget@WPCSD.US) for follow-up.

Ending: The board will present the budget to voters in the annual May election (third Tuesday in May). Officials said they would continue outreach and monitoring as the state finalizes the 2025 budget and any related education law changes that could affect district planning.","Superintendent presented the preliminary 2025–26 budget for the White Plains City School District, reporting it stays within the state tax-cap and recommends a 1.67% tax-levy increase while preserving instructional programs and funding a slate of capital projects using reserves and anticipated state aid.","actionData","errors"]

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Board votes: donations accepted, indemnification resolution approved, BOCES lease authorized (one abstention)

White Plains Board adopts student cell-phone policy for 2025-26 after public comment on enforcement

White Plains schools propose $206.5M preliminary budget, recommends 1.67% tax-levy increase