Eastchester budget emphasizes mental health, building‑level staff and technology upgrades
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Summary
Superintendent Dr. Valente presented a proposed budget that shifts resources from central offices to school buildings, funds school mental‑health services, adds coaches and specialized reading support, and continues large technology investments; a district bond for remaining infrastructure needs was discussed but is not planned for May.
Superintendent Dr. Valente presented the Eastchester Union Free School District’s proposed budget and a package of staffing and technology changes at a work session, saying the plan shifts resources from district central offices to building‑level teams while funding new mental‑health services and classroom supports.
The proposal includes about $96,000 in general‑fund spending on secondary student and staff mental‑health initiatives, supplemented by grant funds; Dr. Valente said the district secured a $2,200,000 Southern BOCES grant that, together with Westchester County Office of Mental Health support, allowed the district to contribute $35,000 and receive $45,000 from the county to help stand up a student outreach and research clinic with a full‑time social worker and psychiatric services available to students and families. "We want no secrets about this budget. We're very pleased and proud with it," Dr. Valente said.
The superintendent proposed a two‑year plan for special education that begins with hiring one new special‑education teacher to meet IEP mandates and expand co‑teaching, and funding a second special‑education position for the district’s multi‑tiered support system (MTSS). The plan also calls for adding an assistant superintendent for instruction, assessment and student success; three district‑level department chairs (English, math/science, special education) to improve K‑12 coordination; and expanded building teams that include literacy and math/science coaches and additional counselors.
Dr. Valente outlined anticipated savings from restructuring central administration and reallocating those funds to buildings: roughly $120,000 from finance/facilities changes, about $11,000 from personnel restructuring, and a projected $300,000 from shifting supervisory positions and related central expenses to building supports. The superintendent described the changes as a way to strengthen K‑12 academic outcomes by placing more resources at the school level.
On elementary programming, the presentation calls for two specialized reading teachers (one funded by a grant and one through an abolished position, resulting in no net increase in full‑time equivalent positions), an accelerated learning program (ALP) teacher shared across two schools on a six‑day cycle, and moves to departmentalize fifth grade to better prepare students for middle‑school team models.
Technology and infrastructure remain a large part of the plan. The district reported recent investments—about $200,000 from the capital fund and roughly $1.6 million from the general fund in recent years—and said the proposed budget includes roughly $700,000 in technology spending this year and about $400,000 proposed for next year for age‑appropriate devices, an AI education task force, makerspace renovations, and a possible replacement for the student information system (candidates mentioned were Synergy and Infinite Campus). Dr. Valente and district technology staff noted remaining unmet infrastructure needs: a modern public‑address system, wireless and switch upgrades and full recabling across buildings; recabling alone was characterized as a multihundred‑thousand‑dollar project and the presenters said a full set of infrastructure upgrades could total about $5,000,000, with an $11,000,000 package cited as the scale to bring all systems to current standards. Board members and staff emphasized that no bond is scheduled for the May vote: the district said any bond would be considered in a later cycle.
The presentation also announced personnel and program items for extracurriculars and athletics: Michael Ramponi will join the district as the K‑12 physical education and athletics director next Monday; the district proposed extending the athletic secretary position from 11 to 12 months and expanding the K‑12 athletic trainer to year‑round coverage; and spring teams proposed for funding included a freshman boys baseball team, a JV girls flag‑football team and a middle‑school strength and conditioning coach.
Board members asked clarifying questions about technology spending and the visible versus behind‑the‑scenes investments. A district technology speaker described classroom upgrades completed across "every single classroom," the need to replace 25‑year‑old cabling, and improvements to security and first‑responder building maps. The board scheduled additional budget discussion at upcoming meetings and gave the public timeline for the formal steps: further work‑session and regular meetings on March 25, April 8 and April 22; the district budget hearing on May 6; and the budget vote and school board election on May 20.
Because this was a work session, no public comment period occurred. The meeting concluded with a motion to adjourn that the board approved by voice vote.
