Peekskill superintendent touts robotics win, new turf and partnerships that bring summer programs and donations
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Summary
Superintendent Dr. David Mauricio highlighted a state robotics award, a newly funded $67,000 indoor turf field, Rotary donations for a recording studio and greenhouse, and a YWCA six-week free summer program with 60 seats; he also noted the board preserved several instructional positions after federal ARPA funding ended.
Dr. David Mauricio, superintendent of the Peekskill City School District, used Thursday’s board meeting to highlight recent student achievements and community partnerships, naming a state robotics award, a newly funded indoor turf field and new summer programming for elementary students.
The district’s Iron Devils robotics team won the Connect Award at the state championships in Utica and advanced to the premier championship, Dr. Mauricio said, opening the possibility for competition in international venues including Mexico and the Netherlands and for the world championship in Houston. He credited coaches and senior team alumni who have gone on to technology studies in college.
Dr. Mauricio announced that a former military-academy basketball gym behind the auditorium was converted into an indoor turf field for high-school use and said the district completed the project for $67,000. “We have a full indoor turf field which costs districts millions of dollars to make, but we were able to do that for $67,000,” Dr. Mauricio said, drawing applause from the audience.
He also detailed recent community donations: the Peekskill Rotary contributed $5,000 toward a greenhouse and outdoor-classroom project and $15,000 to the high school to build a music/recording studio expected this spring.
Partnerships with the city and local organizations will expand programming, the superintendent said. The YWCA is scheduled to run a free six-week summer program at selected elementary schools (K–5) operating roughly 7 a.m. to 6 p.m.; the district said 60 seats will be available and additional information will be released to families.
Dr. Mauricio noted district outreach tied to Black History Month and cultural programming — including school displays in city hall and free student opportunities funded by grants — and thanked board members, staff and partners for supporting extracurricular and instructional programs.
He also told the board that, after American Rescue Plan funds concluded last year, the board committed in the budgeting process to continue funding key positions so the district could retain a math coach, a literacy coach and an additional clinician at Oakside Elementary School for the coming year.
The board moved on to public comment and a consent agenda after the superintendent’s remarks. The consent agenda motion was made and seconded, but the transcript segments provided do not include a recorded roll-call or tally for that vote.
