Pleasantville BOE April 21 Meeting Recap

If you were unable to attend, a full recording of the meeting is available on the district’s YouTube channel, and the meeting agenda can be found here. 

Below is a brief summary of key items from the meeting: 

Celebration of Heroes: Middle and High School Health Teacher, Samantha Yannuzzi, was recognized for performing the life-saving Heimlich Maneuver on a choking student.  

Recognition of Students 

• Winter Athletics: Seven teams earned NY Scholar-Athlete status, including Boys and Girls Basketball, Track & Field, Ice Hockey, and Boys Swim & Dive. Harry Wang competed at the NYS Swim & Dive Championships, finishing 19th in the state. The wrestling team captured its 12th consecutive Conference III, League A Championship, with Ciaran Egan, Frank Perlleshi, and Alex Wish each earning Section 1 titles. Declan Bruder scored 464 points this season and surpassed the 1,000-point career milestone—the first male player to do so since 2017.
• Middle School Leadership: Eight Pleasantville Middle School seventh graders—Melissa Farjardo, Abby Fleming, Brooklyn Garguilo, Lauren Gregersen, Javier Resto, Zoey Schreier, Beatrice Weiss, and Michael Wildey—were recognized for their participation in the Institute for 7th Grade Leaders through the Holocaust and Human Rights Education Center. After completing a leadership symposium, students returned to PMS to teach fifth graders about human rights and dignity.
• Civic Engagement: Eighth graders Ari Leeman-Markowski and Rebecca Mandell were recognized for participating in a panel discussion on “Saving Civic Education” at Long Island University.

Student Assistance Services (CLICK HERE TO VIEW PRESENTATION) 

Jason Schoolsky, Student Assistance Counselor at the Middle and High School, provided an overview of the district’s Project SUCCESS program, which supports student well-being through prevention, early intervention, and counseling related to substance use, gambling, and mental health.  

He highlighted strong student engagement and collaboration with staff and community resources, as well as positive outcomes, including increased risk awareness, reduced substance use, and stronger connections to school. The program also offers a restorative alternative to discipline, helping keep students supported and engaged. 

Superintendent’s Report 

Dr. Lutinski shared an update on the Village’s Safe Streets initiative, highlighting collaboration with local partners to improve pedestrian and traffic safety near schools, with a community input meeting scheduled for June 24. He also noted the start of work on a new district strategic plan, including the selection of a consultant and formation of a stakeholder committee.  

School Highlights: 

• Bedford Road School (BRS): Students participated in NYS ELA testing; math testing is upcoming. The BRS edible garden is now open for the season, with students planting and preparing for a spring harvest. Second graders also visited Arc Stages through the Vision and Voices program, including the opportunity to write their own plays.

• Middle School: The annual Book Fair was a success, supported by strong family involvement. Fifth graders visited Arc Stages to see student-written plays performed, and music students rehearsed together in preparation for the District Festival of Strings.
• High School: The Advanced Jazz Ensemble performed at the Sleepy Hollow Jazz Fest, students earned a first-place finish in Forestry at the Envirothon Regionals, and PHS welcomed visiting students from France as part of the Science Research exchange program.

Superintendent’s Update on the Capital Project 

Dr. Lutinski reviewed the Capital Project propositions that will be featured on the ballot on May 19.

Proposition I: Critical Safety & Aging Infrastructure Replacements 

Expedited Infrastructure Improvements 

• BRS HVAC upgrades
• PHS hot water pump replacement
• PHS auditorium lighting upgrades
• Districtwide public address and security system upgrades

Track & Turf Replacement 

• Replace the main and small turf fields
• Install acrylic-coated sand infill (no rubber) with shock pad
• Resurface track and specialty areas
• Add perimeter safety fencing

BRS External Security Enhancements 

• Secure daytime entrance with gate, camera, and intercom
• ADA-accessible lift
• New perimeter fencing while maintaining community access outside school hours

Proposition II: High-Priority Investments in Learning & Community Spaces 

BRS Outdoor Space Reimagined 

• Replace turf surface with natural grass
• Create distinct zones for flexible student use
• Expand footprint and add new playground equipment

Instructional & STEAM Space Upgrades 

• Districtwide interactive classroom displays
• New STEAM/MakerSpaces at BRS and PMS
• Science classroom upgrades at PMS and PHS
• Art, music, theater, auditorium, and multipurpose room upgrades

Main Field Area & Lights 

• Public restrooms and concession stand
• Transition Upper Field to turf
• Resurface basketball court and update hoops
• Four 80-foot LED Dark-Sky Certified light poles, the only light poles that meet safety standards for use at school fields, with sound and sightline mitigation

 
Project-Specific Community Forums 

• The STEAM forum on March 16 highlighted proposed upgrades to instructional spaces designed to support hands-on, future-focused learning, while clarifying that capital improvements focus on facilities that enable—not define—curriculum.
• The BRS forum on April 14included a walkthrough of the outdoor space, emphasizing plans to create a safer, more functional environment for students while maintaining community access outside of school hours.
• The final Fields & Lights forum will take place on Monday, April 27, and will include both a presentation and a walking tour of the athletic facilities.

It's important to note that Capital Project funding can only be used for facilities and infrastructure improvements. Curriculum and program investments are supported through the District’s annual operating budget. 

Community members are encouraged to join the Fields & Lights forum on Monday, April 27, at 7 PM at Pleasantville High School, starting in the auditorium, followed by a walking tour of the main field area.
Dr. Lutinski reiterated that full project details, FAQs, financial information, and timelines are available at pleasantvilleschools.org/capitalproject. 

As a reminder, the proposed capital project includes a maximum estimated cost of approximately $17.5 million, with $4 million available in reserves and savings and $13.5 million in borrowing. The project is designed to be tax-levy neutral and is separate from the annual operating budget, with approximately 53 cents of every borrowed dollar reimbursed through state aid. 

DISTRICT CLERKS REPORT: May 19 - Annual Budget Vote & BOE Election 

The Pleasantville UFSD Annual Budget Vote and Board of Education Election will be held on May 19, 2026. Residents will vote on the proposed 2026–27 school budget, capital project items, and two Board of Education seats. 

To vote, you must be: 

• A U.S. citizen
• At least 18 years old by May 19, 2026
• A Pleasantville UFSD resident for at least 30 days prior to the vote
• Registered with the Westchester County Board of Elections or with the District

The last day to register with the District is May 14, 2026. 

Absentee and early mail ballot applications are available beginning April 20. Please visit our website for voter information. 

Budget Adoption Presentation – Dr. Lutinski & John Chow (CLICK HERE FOR PRESENTATION) 

The Board of Education voted to adopt the 2026-2027 Pleasantville Union Free School District budget in the amount of $65,114,168. (APPROVED 5-0) 

PLEASE NOTE: All budget-related information can be found on the Business Office page of the district website. Please click here to review. 

The Budget Public Hearing will be held at the May 5 Board of Education. That is the last Board presentation before the vote on May 19. 

Discussion Item: Board of Education Student Ex Officio Member Selection Process 

Student Board member Julian Giebelhaus led a discussion on the selection process for next year’s Board of Education Ex Officio student representatives. Following outreach during lunch periods with Dr. Lutinski on April 8, 10 students in grades 9 and 10 expressed interest. A survey will be distributed this week by Mr. Palumbo, and a stakeholder committee will meet next week to review candidates. The top three candidates will meet with the committee, with the goal of selecting two Ex Officio representatives. In alignment with NYSSBA guidance, the role will be filled annually. Julian also shared that he is willing to serve as a mentor and backup to support the incoming students. 

RECOGNITION OF THE AUDIENCE/PUBLIC COMMENT: n/a 

NEW BUSINESS: (APPROVED 5-0); The Board of Education approves the establishment of the Julie Schwartz Memorial Scholarship. 

BOARD POLICIES – FIRST READING  

• First Reading of Policy #3285 - Use of Main Turf Field Lights (APPROVED 5-0)
  • This is the second round of a first reading to ensure a total of three public readings.
  • PLEASE NOTE: A previous version of the draft policy(LinkedIn BoardDocs)was incorrect. As shown in this version, the draft policy states that field lights will be used for a maximum of 150 hours each year, excluding the postseason.
• Approval of First Reading of Board Policies; there will be another reading of this policy to ensure the community has the opportunity to share their thoughts.

CONSENT AGENDA: APPROVED (5–0) 

The next Board of Education meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, May 5, 2026, at 7:30 PM in the PHS library, when the Board will hold a Budget Hearing. The agenda will be posted to BoardDocs when available.