Ardsley Today

Water Hydrant Flushing Today

Until about 4pm today, United Water New Rochelle crews will be flushing fire hydrants and blowoffs in the Village of Ardsley. A temporary slight discoloration of the water and a decrease in water pressure may be noted as a result of the hydrant openings. Questions can be addressed to Steve Houst at United Water at 637-5336.

The hydrants which will be flushed today include: #61 on Ashford Avenue across from Taft Lane, #60 on Short Hill Road southwest of Grenfel Place and the blowoff at Grenfel Place.

This is the first in a series of "flushings" between now and June 1. As other locations are announced between now and June 1, we'll try to let you know.

Jenkins Award Winner Interview: Glenn Leibel

This is the fourth and final in our series of interviews with winners of the Ardsley PTA Jenkins Award for service to the community. Don't forget to attend the awards ceremony tomorrow night, April 1, at 7pm in the High School Cafeteria.

Glenn Leibel has been at the center of some of Ardsley's most important sports organizations for more than 10 years. As a coach, Treasurer and then President, he's been deeply involved in the Ardsley Little League for all of that time. More recently, he's the founder and President of the Robert Jacobsen Sports League, which has been bringing Basketball to our community's children for the last 5 years and is now adding flag football to it's roster of sports. We caught up to Glenn by email for this interview:

How do you feel about receiving the Jenkins Award?
I congratulate all of the winners of the Jenkins Award and I am honored to be among those receiving this award. I never expected to be named a recipient of the Jenkins Award, and I am truly shocked that I was even be considered for this award.

I share this award with my friends and neighbors that have always given me their support and have volunteered their time and effort.

What has driven you to be so involved with kids in Ardsley all these years?
I truly enjoy volunteering my time for the children of Ardsley.  Growing up I always had a fun, safe and welcoming place to play sports or hang out with my friends. Ardsley is a great place to live and to raise children. The people of Ardsley are committed to providing this type of environment to our community and I want to be a part of this. The Ardsley Little League provided me the opportunity to meet these people and become involved with my community.

You've been involved with the Ardsley Little League for more than ten years, including 2 years as its President. Why do you think the Little League is an important activity for the children of Ardsley?
The Ardsley Little League is a wonderful organization. The Little League is not just about teaching or playing baseball or softball. The Ardsley Little League provides a true sense of community for all age groups. We start our programs when children are 5 years old and we are with them until they reach the age of 16. We are able to help build friendships between children and adults who might not otherwise have a reason to interact with each other.

The bleachers are a great way to meet neighbors you might only see in the grocery store. Our volunteers dedicate their time and effort to teach our children sportsmanship, team work as well as the basics of the game. We have volunteers that run our opening day, cook for our picnic, organize our challenger leagues, operate our snack bar, orchestrate fundraisers and all star games. Our board is dedicated to
providing our youth the best little league program in Westchester County.  I am very proud to have served as President of the Little League.

Tell us more about the Robert Jacobson Basketball League? Why did you start it up?
I am the President of the Robert Jacobson Basketball League.  I developed the Robert Jacobson Sports leagues in memory of my brother in-law, Robert Jacobson, who graduated from Ardsley HS in 1980.

For the last 5 years I have volunteered my time to develop a basketball league that is open to all members of the Rivertowns community.  The Robert Jacobson league teaches 1st - 4th graders the fundamentals of basketball. The children are coached by professional coaches and parents are able to watch their children progress through the season. Many friendships are made while parents sit on the sidelines and cheer for the players.

We also have a strong girls basketball program for 5th-8th graders.  Girls come from different towns and have different playing skills. We have players who play on CYO teams, temple teams, modified teams as well as beginners. All the girls love to get together and play against each other.  Our volunteer coaches teach the fundamentals of the sport but are encouraged to teach team work and sportsmanship above winning.

Our older boys are part of The Westchester Jewish Basketball League. We have three teams that participate from the many different temples in the area. Our volunteer coaches again stress sportsmanship and teamwork above winning at all costs. We welcome all players to participate in our basketball program.

This year the Robert Jacobson Sports Organization will be expanding and offering flag football to players in grades 1 - 6. Our teams will be playing in the Westchester Flag Football League and we hope to become a feeder system for the Ardsley High School and Ardsley Middle School modified teams. Parents can email me at RobertJacobsonSports@yahoo.com for more information.

Riviera Bakeshop in the New York Times

The Riviera has gotten a nice little write up from M.H. Reed in the this week's Westchester section of the New York Times.

A simple get-together can become something special when the grand finale is a remarkable cake. At Riviera Bakehouse in Ardsley, Kaye Hansen and Peter Simon, the owners, are experts in theme cakes and often help customers decide on the best designs for their events.

Check out the full article here.

Jenkins Award Winner Interview: Concetta Ambrose

This is the third in our series of interviews with winners of the Ardsley PTA Jenkins Award for service to the community.

Concetta Ambrose has made her significant mark on the Ardsley Community over the years as a foreign language teacher at Ardsley Middle School. Not only does she fulfill this role with rare aplomb, but she has contributed in many ways to the foreign language education of students by helping with the overall design of the foreign language curriculum, organizing and hosting foreign language week lunches and acting as a mentor to young teachers. Her influence is not only limited to language arts, however, as Ms. Ambrose has taken classes to Broadway performances over the years, and plays an essential role in the life of our 8th Graders as the organizer of an annual trip to Washington, DC. Ardsley Today reached her by email for this interview:

How do you feel about receiving the Jenkins Award?
I am very honored to be a recipient of the Jenkins Award. I love teaching and it is always nice when people acknowledge all the passion and hard work you've put into something over the years.  It's a wonderful feeling to be recognized by my students, their parents and the community as a whole for my contributions after 40 years of service in this profession, and 24 years in the Ardsley school district. I am humbled by this award.

What has driven you to be so involved with students over the years?
I think one of my strengths is the connection I have with my students. One of the greatest thrills for me is having former students visit or write to tell me how much they enjoyed my class and how they've used what they learned in their travels and experiences.

I have always loved world languages. When you are passionate about something, you're motivated to share that passion with others. I try to show students the importance of learning languages and learning about other cultures in addition to their own. I've always been very fond of adolescents and pre-adolescents.  Although it can be an awkward time, it can also be a fun time.  My students and I enjoy our time together in the classroom. I try to craft lessons which are engaging and which make them care about languages and about learning in general. I think it's important for me to be a role model and to set the foundations that will help them later on, both in high school and beyond. I try to teach not only my subject, but responsibility and proper behavior both in the school setting and outside of it.

Tell us about your trips with students to see Broadway Shows? Why is it important for students to be exposed to Theater?
Teaching a language isn't just about learning the grammar; it's about exposing the students to the culture, the literature, theater and arts of the country. I try to immerse my students in everything French (and Spanish when I teach it), which increases their knowledge of the language and their knowledge of the world around them.

Organizing the 8th Grade trip to Washington, DC must be a lot of work. What do you think the students get out of it? What do you get out of it?
Although it is a tremendous amount of work, I love organizing the 8th grade trip to Washington, DC and accompanying the students on the trip. It is an educational experience as well as a social one and a culmination of their four years at Ardsley Middle School. I think teachers have to give students the opportunity to learn outside of the classroom walls, in the real world.  This trip is one way for us to provide that for our students. They learn a lot and enjoy going to the museums, seeing the monuments, and enjoying the dinner-dance cruise on the Potomac. Students and teachers talk on the bus ride and at meals and get to know each other in a different setting. We see another dimension to them, and this has enriched my teaching. This trip has helped me build bonds with my students and many of these bonds have lasted a lifetime. 

Phone Problem at Ardsley High School and Central Office

According to an email from the School District, there have been phone issues at the High School and District Central Office over the last few days. Although  Verizon and the district's phone contractor have been working to resolve the problem, there's a chance that voicemails left over the last few days were never delivered to their recipients. According to the email, the problem is expected to be fixed "within the next day." If you're waiting for a return call from a voicemail left at the High School or Central Office, you may want to check back with the person you were trying to reach.

Jenkins Award Winner Interview: Marlena Tsagaris

Here's the second in our series of interviews with winners of the Ardsley PTA Jenkins Award for service to the community. Come back to Ardsley Today each day this week to learn more about the other winners.

Marlena Tsagaris is the kind of parent in the Ardsley School District who you recognize because you see her everywhere. According to the award committee, she's shown great commitment to the community in various roles: as Co-chair of PTA’s high school college conference, the High School's 12th Grade Liaison, and the PTA's High School VP. She's also shown herself to be an unfailing supporter of Ardsley athletics as Co-President of the Panthers' Association and a tireless fan of many school sports. We caught up with her by email for this interview:

How do you feel about receiving the Jenkins Award?
I am very honored to receive the Jenkins Award and to be recognized by my peers; however I share the award with all those who dedicate much of their free time to help keep our community spirit vibrant and productive. I might have brought a few good ideas to the table, but without the enthusiasm and support of so many involved parents, they would have remained nothing but good ideas.  I am so fortunate and grateful to have met many wonderful people along the way, and hope to continue my support to the Ardsley PTA and Panther Association in any way possible.

What has driven you to be so involved with the students of Ardsley all these years?
It all began with being class mom for my son’s first grade class, and falling in love with every single child. That class graduates college this year! It’s been such a privilege to bear witness to the youth of so many wonderful kids as they grew into incredible young adults, and to share in the many experiences, accomplishments and joys these students have given their parents and community. It has been an honor to play a very small part in helping to enhance their experience at Ardsley High School. I hope to help establish the tradition of the Senior-to-Senior Prom as the final community event graduating seniors participate in, where they invite their grandparents and Ardsley’s senior citizens for dinner, dancing and mingling. It’s a wonderful way to express appreciation to our elders, and to leave high school with an increased awareness of their needs. I thank the Ardsley PTA for its support in making this event possible.

You've been very involved with the Panther Association. Can you tell us what they do and why you think it's important?
The Panther Association is a very dedicated group of parent volunteers who host several events throughout the school year in order to raise funds. These funds provide scholarships to distinguished graduating student-athletes, support athletic programs, and sponsor the Senior Awards Banquet where all athletes receive a complementary dinner and over 400 people attend.  It is wonderful when the community comes together towards such great goals, but also to get to know each other and create new friendships. Last year we awarded $9,000 in scholarships, which are so greatly appreciated in these times of escalating college costs. Our final fundraiser each year is the annual Golf Outing, which is a lot of fun. Even if you’re not a golfer, you can attend the dinner and enjoy a great night out with your friends, and play a part in supporting the programs we sponsor.  Ardsley, we need you!

You've orchestrated the gathering of senior baby pictures for Graduation...how many can you identify (without cheating!)?
The Wall of Photos at AHS graduation which is sponsored by the Ardsley PTA is probably my favorite idea. I love opening the photo envelopes and seeing the baby pictures, and I do recognize over half of them! It’s great fun putting the posters together, the “then and now” portraits and then watching the seniors giggle among themselves as they march by and recognize each other. After the ceremony is over, it’s so satisfying to watch parents and grandparents find their child and take down their poster as a souvenir of the day. My baby graduates this year, so you’ll definitely catch me tearfully removing her poster!

Jenkins Award Winner Interview: Annamaria Forte

This is the first in our series of interviews with winners of the Ardsley PTA Jenkins Award for service to the community. Come back to Ardsley Today each day this week to learn more about the other winners.

According to the Jenkins Award committee, Annamaria Forte is a Middle School and High School Italian teacher who goes above and beyond her classroom duties to encourage her students to have a love learning the language. Retiring this year, Ms. Forte is a member of the PPLT and a moderator for the National Honor Society. She has done much to advance the learning of foreign languages in Ardsley, including instituting the Italian Honor Society, taking students on trips to Europe. She has even taught English and Spanish to staff members. She is recognized with the Jenkins Award as she prepares to retire at the end of this school year. We interviewed her by email:

How do you feel about receiving the Jenkins Award?
I am extremely honored to receive the Jenkins Award. I feel that I could not have had
a better send off after a 22 years career in teaching at the High School and Middle School levels in Ardsley.

What has driven you to be so involved with your students over the years?
I have loved working at Ardsley and the students (2000 of them) have been like my own children. I have been called "Mama Forte".  I have had so much satisfaction working here, just to be able to influence someone -- to be part of their development -- has been the greatest satisfaction of my life.

I still have students, in their 30's who come to see me and tell me that they have used some of my "culture lessons" in their private and professional life. I also enjoyed tremendously taking the students abroad, France 1 trip, Italy 2 trips, Spain 3 trips and Quebec 1 trip.  It was a great experience to expose these students to the cultures and customs of different countries. I just love teaching Italian and Spanish and being an immigrant myself, I love to be able to add some of my personal knowledge to the curriculum.

We understand you have taught English and Spanish to staff members. What brought that about?
I also taught ESL (English as second language) to the maintenance workers of the school. That was extra, and it helped the Hispanic-speaking workers in my school.

As you retire this year, what memories of Ardsley will you bring with you?
I am going to miss Ardsley Schools a lot. I cannot even describe how sad I am to leave the High School and the school community and all my colleagues, but I am retiring this year because I have a 94 year-old mother who lives with me and I need to have more personal time.

We are a family here and It's hard to leave.  One of my favorite memories is when my graduate students come back and tell me they have become teachers (foreign languages) because of my classes, or when they come back and tell me they went to the Sistine Chapel and looked at Michelangelo with the same love that I did. The best memory is when students who have their own children introduce me as their "favorite teacher."  I have so many memories of Ardsley that is hard to remember them all.

Ardsley Board of Education Meeting Agenda -- 3/26

Wednesday, March 26, 2008
Anticipated Executive Session   7:00 p.m.
Regular Board of Education Meeting   8:00 p.m.
High School Library

Agenda

I. Call to Order – Mark Cohen, President
A.  Designation of Emergency Exits
B.  All cell phones silenced

II. Pledge of Allegiance

III. Acceptance of Minutes – March 12, 2008

IV Presentation
Board Audit and Finance Committee Recommendations – Mark Cohen and Lee H. Lew

V. Recognition of Audience (limited to approximately 30 minutes and to items on the agenda)

VI. Report of the Superintendent
Enrollment Report as of February 29, 2008

VII. Report of the Board President – None at this meeting

VIII. Report of Board Committees and Representatives
Ardsley Education Foundation – Stephanie Marquesano and Joanne G. Sold
Community Relations – Frank J. Hariton and Stephanie Marquesano
Long-Range Planning (Facilities) – Mark Cohen and Joanne G. Sold

IX. Board Action and Discussion Items

A. Committee on Special Education, Pre-School Special Education and Sub Committee on Special Education – Resolution

Resolved:  That the Board of Education agrees to arrange for the recommendations of the Sub-Committee of the Committee on Special Education that were made at the meetings of:  12/21/2007 – ID # 12107; 1/31/2008 – ID# 10817; 1/31/2008 – ID# 11694; 2/8/2008 – ID# 11496; 2/12/2008 – ID# 12660; 2/12/2008 – ID# 10118; 2/28/2008 – ID# 12656; 2/28/2008 – ID# 10490.

B. Annual Budget Vote/Election Notice – Resolution

Resolved:  That upon the recommendation of the District Clerk, the Ardsley Board of Education hereby approves the following legal notice in substantially the form herein set forth of a budget vote, election of two (2) School Board Trustees, and a proposition regarding revenues for improvements to the food services operation, May 20, 2008.

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the vote upon the appropriation of necessary funds to meet the estimated expenditures of the District for the 2008-09 school year and the election of two (2) members of the Board of Education, for the period of July 1, 2008, to June 30, 2011 (Mr. Mark Cohen and Mrs. Lee H. Lew, incumbents), will be held in the High School building in said District situated on Farm Road in the Village of Ardsley, Westchester County, New York, on Tuesday, May 20, 2008, between the hours of 6:00 a.m. and 10:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. and 9:00 p.m. local time.

NOTICE IS FURTHER GIVEN that a Proposition in substantially the following form shall be presented to the qualified voters of the District at such Annual District Meeting and Election:

RESOLVED:
That the Board of Education of the Ardsley Union Free School District be authorized to use revenue from the Nonprofit School Food Service fund in the amount of 350,000 Dollars as approved by the State Education Department for improvements to the food services operation, including but not limited to reconstruction of the food service preparation area of the Ardsley High School and replacement of various pieces of equipment, such as stoves and the walk-in freezer; as well as costs related to any design and/or construction thereof, where the funding for the project shall come from the District’s nonprofit food service fund balance, at no cost to the taxpayers.

NOTICE IS FURTHER GIVEN that in lieu of the Annual Meeting of the School District a public hearing for the purpose of discussion of the proposed school budget for the 2008-09 school year will be held in the library of the High School Building, in said District, on May 7, 2008, at 8:00 p.m.  A copy of the statement of the amount of monies which will be required for the 2008-09 school year for school purposes may be obtained upon request by the residents at 500 Farm Road commencing April 30, 2008, except Saturday, Sunday or holidays between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m.

AND NOTICE IS FURTHER GIVEN that a copy of the statement of the amount of money which will be required for the 2008-09 school year for school purposes may be obtained by any resident in the District during the fourteen (14) days immediately preceding the Annual Election except Saturday, Sunday or holidays, at each of the following school houses, in which school is maintained between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m.:

            Ardsley Elementary School, Concord Road      
            Ardsley Middle School, Ashford Avenue
            Ardsley High School, Farm Road
            Ardsley Central Office, Farm Road

AND NOTICE IS FURTHER GIVEN that petitions nominating candidates for the Board of Education must be filed with the Clerk of the School District not later than Monday, April 21, 2008, between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m.  Each petition shall be directed to the Clerk of the School District, shall state the name and residence of the candidate, shall state the residence of each signer, and shall require at least 29 signatures.

NOTICE IS FURTHER GIVEN that application for absentee ballots for election of Board Members, and the school budget vote may be applied for at the office of the District Clerk.  Such application must be received by the District no later than May 13, 2008, if the ballot is to be mailed to the voter and no later than May 19, 2008, if the ballot is to be delivered personally to the voter.  A list of all persons to whom absentee ballots were issued will be available in the said office of the District Clerk from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., on each of the five days prior to the day of the election, except Sunday, and on Saturday 9:00 a.m. to 12 noon.  The list will also be available at the polling place on the day of the election.

NOTICE IS FURTHER GIVEN that all proposals by qualified voters of this District to place propositions, except such as are required by law to be stated in the published notice of the election shall be made by petition, subscribed by not less than one hundred (100) qualified voters of the District.  Each signer must state his/her residence on the petition, and each petition must be filed with the Board of Education of this District no later than April 21, 2008.

NOTICE IS FURTHER GIVEN that the Board of Education of the Ardsley Union Free School District, pursuant to Section 2014 of the Education law has provided for the personal registration of voters at school district meeting in such District and that in connection with the annual budget vote, and election of  members of the Board of Education of said District to be held on May 20, 2008, the said Board of Education has fixed any weekday between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m., and on May 12, 2008, between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m., as the dates and hours for registration at the Ardsley Central Office, Board of Education, 500 Farm Road, in said School District.  The last date to register for the Annual Election to be held on May 20, 2008, is May 15, 2008.

NOTICE IS FURTHER GIVEN that a registration of voters shall take place during the election at the place of such election and such registrants will be qualified to vote at a district meeting or election subsequent to such registration.

NOTICE IS FURTHER GIVEN that in order to vote at the budget vote and for the election of members of the Board of Education, any person must have his name placed upon such register and that the Board of Registration and Canvass will meet at the dates, time and place above designated to prepare such register, and any person shall be entitled to have his name placed upon such register provided for at such meetings of the Board of Registration and Canvass to be then or thereafter entitled to vote at said budget vote and election of members of the Board of Education for which register is being prepared.  All persons who shall have been previously registered for any annual or special meeting or election and who shall have voted on any annual or special meeting or election held or conducted during four calendar years prior to the year in which such register is being prepared are not required to re-register for the election; and

NOTICE IS FURTHER GIVEN that any qualified voter of the School District, even though not registered under the provisions of the Education Law, whose name appears on the county registration lists will also be entitled to vote.  After the Board of Registration and Canvass has completed the register of the legal voters of the District, such register will be filed in the Office of the Clerk of the District, pursuant to Section 2014, and such register will be open for inspection by any qualified voter of the District at the Office of the Clerk from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on each of the five days prior to the day set for the meeting or election, except Sunday, and on Saturday 9 a.m. to 12 noon.

BY ORDER OF THE BOARD OF EDUCATION, ARDSLEY UNION FREE SCHOOL DISTRICT, TOWN OF GREENBURGH, WESTCHESTER COUNTY, NEW YORK, BARBARA KOPPEL, DISTRICT CLERK.
C. Future Agenda Items

D. Follow-Up Pending Agenda Items
1/09/08 Five-Year Capital Plan Follow-up
2/06/08 CAP follow-up
2/06/08 Board Policy Manual
2/06/08 Tri-States Report
3/12/08 Citizens’ Budget Advisory Committee Follow-up
3/12/08 Improvements to the food services operation

X. Board Analysis & Discussion Items

XI. Superintendent’s Recommendations
A.  Resignations - Resolution
Resolved:  That upon the recommendation of the Superintendent of Schools, the Board of Education approves the following resignation:
Ryan McConville – Permanent Substitute Teacher (HS) – effective 3/5/08

B.Appointments - Resolution
Resolved: That upon the recommendation of the Superintendent of Schools, the Board of Education approves the following appointments:
Pamela Caldara - Special Education Teacher (MS) - Step 7 MA – effective 3/10/08 - 3/14/08
Scott Feig – CAP Program Non-Fiction Writing – Quarter Four - $1,440.55
Sukhwant Kaur – Part-time Lunchtime Assistant (MS) – emergency conditional upon NYSED clearance – effective 3/25/08
Mariannina Miller - Part-time Lunchtime Assistant (MS) – emergency conditional upon NYSED clearance - effective 3/25/08
Laurie Larraz – Substitute School Nurse (DW) – emergency conditional upon NYSED clearance - effective 3/13/08
Monica Secchiano – Daily Substitute Teacher/Teacher Aide (CR) – reinstate to Substitute List – effective 3/12/08
Melissa Sugerman – Psychology Intern (HS) – conditional upon NYSED clearance – effective 2008-09 School Year

The Superintendent of Schools recommends that the following emergency conditional employees’ appointments be renewed and extended:
Arnold Bostick – Bus Driver (DW) – effective 3/27/08
Vasiliki Cunha – Teacher Aide (HS) – effective 3/11/08
Ralph Dieterle – Temporary Teacher Aide (CR) – effective 3/18/08
Patricia Eaton – Student Teacher (CR) – effective 3/27/08

C. Appointment Adjustments - Resolution
Resolved:  That upon the recommendation of the Superintendent of Schools, the Board of Education approves the following appointment adjustments:
Barbara Trapp – Secretary to the Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum & Instruction – increase salary by $5,000 effective 7/1/06
Andrea Lanzetta – Daily Substitute Teacher to be paid at the Long Term Substitute Rate – effective date 2/25/08
Mary Ann Maric – Leave Replacement Teacher – effective date 2/4/08
Paula Zappia – Part-time Typist (MS) – additional 3.5 hours per day – effective 2/11/08 – 2/15/08
Emily Baker – From Step 6+ MA+15 to Step 6 MA+30 – effective 2/1/08
Sari Goldmeer – From Step 2 MA to Step 2 MA+15 – effective 2/1/08
Sean Grady – From Step 8 MA+45 to Step 8 MA+60 – effective 2/1/08

D. Leaves of Absence - Resolution
Resolved:  That the Board of Education approve the following Leaves of Absence:
Pamela Caldara – Special Education Teacher (MS) – Unpaid Leave of Absence for Child Care – effective 2008-09 School Year
Lisa Cole – Guidance Counselor (MS) – Unpaid Leave of Absence for Child Care – effective 2008-09 School Year
Jamie Margolies - Elementary Teacher (CR) - Unpaid Leave of Absence for Child Care – effective 2008-09 School Year

And the following adjustments to FMLA:
Donna Drake – ESOL Teacher (HS/MS) – FMLA paid leave 2/8/08 – 4/18/08 and FMLA unpaid leave 4/8/08 – 5/15/08
Jamie Margolies – Elementary Teacher (CR) – FMLA paid leave – 2/25/08 – 4/18/08 and FMLA unpaid leave 4/28/08 – 5/26/08

E. Rescissions of Appointment – Resolution
Resolved:  That the Board of Education approve the following rescissions of appointment:
Hui Altman – Teacher Aide (MS) – effective 3/17/08
Christine Kiesler – Inter-Village Continuing Education Program Darkroom Photography – Spring 2008

XII. Business Office Recommendations

A. Approval of Transportation Contract – Resolution
Resolved: That the contract with Yonkers Public Schools for the transportation of a student from the Viscardi School to home from March 11 to May 27, 2008, be approved and that the Board of Education President and Superintendent be authorized to sign the contract.

B. Rescission of Continuing Education Independent Contractors – Resolution
Resolved: That the following appointments of independent contractors for the 2008 Spring Inter-Village Continuing Education Program be rescinded:
Clark Jackowe-American Female Poetry
Katie Goldberg-Mah Jongg
Dora Manzo-Spanish
Michael Walker-Improv

C. Appointment of Continuing Education Independent Contractor – Resolution
Resolved: That the following independent contractor be appointed for the 2008 Spring Inter-Village Continuing Education Program:
Won Gyu Tamura – (Volunteer) – Ballroom Dancing

D. Approval of Contract for Special Services – Resolution
Resolved: That the contract with Dr. Bobby Newman for 2007-2008 school year be approved.

E.  Approval of Bid – Resolution
Resolved: That the Board of Education award the Vending Services Bid # 2007-04 to The Answer Group/Answer Vending.

XIII. Future Board of Education Meetings

April 9, 2008 High School Library
7:00 p.m.          Anticipated Executive Session
8:00 p.m.          Regular School Board Meeting
Public Budget Hearing
Board sets Budget for Required Annual School District Budget Hearing & Budget Vote/Adopt Property Tax Report Card

April 29, 2008 (Tues.) Concord Road School
7:00 p.m.          Anticipated Executive Session
8:00 p.m.          Regular School Board Meeting
BOCES Budget Vote

May 7, 2008 Middle School Library
7:00 p.m.          Anticipated Executive Session
8:00 p.m.          Regular School Board Meeting
Required Public Budget Hearing

XIV. Recognition of Audience

XV. Call for Executive Session

XVI. Return to Public Session

XVII. Adjournment

Ardsley PTA 2008 Jenkins Award Winners Announced

The PTA will be awarding their annual Jenkins Awards next Tuesday, April 1, in the High School cafeteria at 7:00pm. There will be student performances from the high school Jazz Band and Select Chorus; as well as a performance from the middle school production of Willie Wonka Jr. The PTA will also be thanking retirees for their years of dedicated service to the Ardsley School District.

This year's award winners are Ardsley High School Foreign Language Teacher Annamaria Forte, Ardsley Middle School Foreign Language Teacher Connie Ambrose, parent Glenn Leibel, and parent Marlena Tsagaris. Come back to Ardsley Today each day this week to read an interview with each of these deserving recipients and find out more about their contributions to the Ardsley community, and make plans to be there on April 1st when they will receive their awards.

Zoning Board of Appeals Agenda -- 3/26

(Links lead to satellite photos of properties in question.)

The Zoning Board of Appeals will hold its regular meeting on Wednesday, March 26, 2008 at 8:00 P.M. in the Boardroom of the Ardsley Village Hall at 507 Ashford Avenue, Ardsley, New York  10502.

I. Announcements and Approval of Minutes

II. Public Hearings

• Applications for a Side Yard Variance
Christopher & Kelly McNerney, 11 Prospect Avenue, Ardsley, New York (Continuation)
Section 18, Sheet 10, Block 1125, Lots 30-32, in an R-3 One-Family Residential District
For a proposed rear deck, where existing and proposed west side yard width is less than 15 feet (Code § 200-26B).

Jorge Alcivar, 43 Riverview Avenue, Ardsley, New York
Section 18, Sheet 09, Block 1118, Lots 21A-24, in an R-3 One-Family Residential District
For proposed additions & renovations where existing & proposed south side yard is less than 15 ft (Code § 200-26B).

• Applications for a Sign Variance
Ardsley Associates, LLC (Lessee: Rite Aid Pharmacy), 875 Saw Mill River Rd., Ardsley, New York
Section 16, Sheet 01, Block 0000/0, Lot 13J, in the B-3 Shopping Center Business District
For an exterior wall sign with proposed lettering heights exceeding 12 inches (Code § 200-82C(2)(a)[2][b]).
15-35 Center St. LLC (Lessee: Ciccone Holdings, Inc. d/b/a Ciccone’s Pizzeria), 25 Center St., Ardsley Section 17, Sheet 04, Block 0000/0, Lots P19J and P19K, in the B-1 General Business District
For an exterior wall sign with a proposed width exceeding 70% of street frontage (Code § 200-82C(2)(a)[2][a]).

III. Public Hearings Postponed to the Next Monthly Meeting

Sylvia Love Trustee 50% / B. Katz & F. R. Stern 50%, 711-15 Saw Mill River Road, Ardsley, New York
Section 17, Sheet 04, Block 0000/0, Lot P19P, in the B-1 General Business District (Lessee: Evergreen Cleaner)
For a variance from off-street parking space requirements, for a proposed change of use (Code § 200-71).

Estate of Sam Ciampi, 655 Saw Mill River Road, Ardsley, New York
Section 16, Sheet 01, Block 0000/0, Lot P4, in the CCH-2 Clustered Housing District
For area variances, for a proposed new building (Code §§ 200-32A, -35B, -36, -45, -48 & -49).