Eastchester board approves staffing changes, launches schedule review as music and facilities concerns surface

The Eastchester Union Free School District Board of Education on Monday approved a consent agenda that included establishing two assistant superintendent positions, funding elementary literacy and math/STEM coaches, and authorizing the development of secondary subject chairs and district arts leadership as part of the coming school-year budget and implementation plan.

The moves are intended to expand instructional leadership and to support a planned change to secondary schedules next year. Superintendent Dr. Valente told the board the assistant superintendent posts would be effective April 1 so the appointees can “get a running start” in planning for next school year.

Supporters said the changes aim to strengthen curriculum, professional development and student supports while district leaders proceed with a formal scheduling review. Dr. Valente said the district has engaged a master scheduler who will join in April, and that the board will receive a presentation on the revised schedule later in the spring.

"We are establishing, with the board's consent tonight, an assistant superintendent for instruction assessment and student success effective April 1 so they get a running start," Dr. Valente said during the superintendent's report. He said the district would also appoint an assistant superintendent for human resources and technology effective April 1.

Bill Meyer, introduced at the meeting by Dr. Valente and identified as continuing his work in student services, said he will expand responsibilities to include curriculum and instructional programs in his new role. "I firmly believe as an educator ... you first connect with the heart with someone and then you're able to really transform the mind," Meyer said, adding, "I won't let you down." The board later indicated these personnel items were included in the consent agenda the board approved.

The budgeted staffing changes described by district leaders include: - A plan to ensure each elementary school (Greenvale, Anne Hutchinson and Waverly) has a full-time literacy coach; Waverly currently does not have a full-time literacy coach and the budget intends to provide one next year. - Hiring three new math/STEM coaches (some internal hires, some external) to provide coaching, lesson modeling, curriculum updates, data analysis and family outreach. - Creating secondary chairs for grades 6, 7 and 8 in English, math, science, social studies and special education, with a target to start with five chairs and expand as needed. - Two district-wide arts chairs (visual arts and performing arts) to coordinate programs across elementary, middle and high schools and to build K–12 pathways. - A district chair for English language learners to provide continuity and compliance K–12. Dr. Valente said the board and administration plan to appoint these chairs on or before June 30 so they can begin professional development over the summer.

Board members and administrators said the proposals are part of a broader push to expand advanced scheduling models and district-run professional learning opportunities, including partnerships with local universities and a possible Eastchester Teachers Center. Dr. Valente described work with a local Institute for Learning (LIU) and other partners to create career pathways for staff such as monitor-to-teaching assistant or TA-to-teacher programs.

The proposed schedule change drew extensive public comment during the meeting’s public-comment period. Several residents urged the board to protect the music, band and orchestra programs while pursuing scheduling reforms. Carol Lamas said music education is "far more than just a creative pursuit" and asked the board to avoid reductions in offerings; she also raised concerns about a reported 20–25 minute lunch period under some schedule options and asked that pre-ordering or staffing changes be considered if lunch windows are reduced.

Abigail Ruane asked the district to clarify objectives of the schedule change and to publish survey results; she also asked how the change would affect AP students, music students and homework loads. Paul Mangione, a high-school–age student working on an Eagle Scout project, urged the board to increase student visits to a rehabilitated local historic site (Marbledale Schoolhouse) as an educational resource.

Trustee Chrissy Egan, appointed by the board as liaison to the scheduling committee, told the audience the schedule review is intended to improve student experience rather than reduce offerings. "No one is looking to take away anything. We're only doing this for the betterment of the students," Egan said. Dr. Valente and Egan said the district plans a facilities tour with architects and a facilities walkthrough next week to identify short-term improvements the district can make within the current school footprint ahead of any long-term capital work.

Officials told the public that facilities constraints are a major consideration. Dr. Valente referenced a previous capital bond referendum the district passed and said the board continues to plan for future capital work that could include expanded arts facilities. He also cited recently enacted state building/temperature-related requirements as part of the district’s planning drivers.

Procedural action: the board approved the consent agenda — which the meeting record lists as including approval of minutes, personnel agenda items, curriculum and instruction recommendations, committee on preschool special education recommendations, business office recommendations and other business — on a motion by Jackie and a second by Laurie. The meeting transcript records the motion and the chair’s announcement: "Motion passes." The consent agenda is where the personnel and calendar items were placed for approval.

What’s next: district leaders said a master scheduler will begin work in April, and the board will schedule a presentation on the proposed secondary schedule in May. The board also listed upcoming meetings, including an April 8 work session and the April 22 regular meeting.

Speakers quoted in this article spoke during the superintendent’s report, during the presentations of candidates for assistant superintendent roles, or during the public-comment portion of the meeting. All quoted attributions come from the meeting record.