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WPCNR The Homeless News. By John F. Bailey. February 5, 2007: Paul Wood, Executive Officer of the City of White Plains , described County Executive Andy Spano’s plan to move the county hardcore homeless shelter to a new $2 Million structure in Hawthorne on the Westchester County Police Headquarters property as failing to address the problem caused by the county dropping the homeless off in White Plains to spend the hours of 6 AM to 10 PM wandering the city, unsupervised.
Paul Wood, Executive Officer, City of White Plains, photographed last week, said today the county plan for building a new shelter solves the location problem for housing the homeless, but did nothing to alleviate the problems of the county dumping the homess back in the city each morning. Photo, WPCNR News Archive.
About 30 Homeless Persons toughing it out in 15 Degree temperature on Quarropas & Dr Martin Luther King Jr Boulevard at the homeless pickup point in January of 2006Photo, WPCNR News Archive.
Wood denied allegations by County Legislator Bill Ryan and Assistant to County Executive Spano, Susan Tolchin that the Mayor had “ignored invitations to discuss alternative locations.” Wood cited letters from the Mayor to that effect and repeated Mayor Delfino’s call for a county wide exploration of where to put the homeless not only at night but during the day.
Wood said the county intention to continuethe current policy of busing the new Hawthorne shelter persons back to White Plains does nothing to improve the situation the Mayor has criticized, new shelter or not. Mr. Wood, interviewed by WPCNR said:
I‘ve spoken to the Mayor, and although he believes this (the newly proposed Hawthorne Shelter) could be a good first step, it still does not address the underlying issues related to the (85 Court Street) shelter.
Obviously, the problems still remain that the Mayor cited shortly after the Connie Russo slaying. There are a concentrated number of hardcore homeless they (the county) got throughout the county and probably from throughout the state. They are concentrating them in White Plains from 6 AM to 10 PM with no services.
They talk about Project Trust which was established a year ago, which was a good first step, but it only services 20 people at a time. I don’t think 60 of them are going to stand in line waiting for services.
The fact of the matter is the annoying issues still remain. If they (the homeless) leave the (new) shelter in the middle of the night in Hawthorne, according to the CountyExecutive, they’ll still be brought to White Plains in the middle of the night and dropped off here. The physical location of where they sleep is all that’s being addressed here.
WPCNRasked if Mr. Wood hand any information on when the $2 Million shelter would break ground.
Wood expressed annoyance with the way the county communicated the news of the shelter:
The Mayor is extraordinarily disappointed that he had to learn about this through the press and never received a courtesy call from the council or the CountyExecutive’s Office, and had to independently obtain, in fact, the press release which was never sent.
He hopes in the future that the real issue of an equitable solution involving other communities and other mayors and town managers will be addressed.
WPCNR asked if it was true the Mayor had refused to meet with the county on finding alternate locations. Wood denied that, “I sent copies of letters to you and the Journal News to prove that is just not true.”
Rita Malmud Does Not Report New Shelter Plans
Asked if Rita Malmud, who was asked by the Mayor to negotiate with the county on the 85 Court Street, had been in contact with the Mayor about the breakthrough or spoken to him about the new shelter at all, Wood said, “No, not about this issue.”
WPCNR repeated the question, “She has not spoken to you about it then?” “No she hasn’t” was the answer. Wood issued a challenge to Ms. Malmud and the fellow councilpeople to revisit the issue:
“I hope the same group of council people will now address the real underlying issue regarding this homeless facility, regarding the shelter of the hardcore homeless in the fact that a concentrated number of them are being dumped on our streets at 6 AM and picked up at 10 (PM). That was always the Mayor’s concern. He voiced it shortly after the Russo killing when the airport shelter was still in existence. And it continues to be a concern.”
Wood said the current cold snap does not to have created new homeless issues yet.
Mayor Joseph Delfino is in Albany today for a meeting with the New York Conference of Mayors.
WPCNR POLL. February 5, 2007: The Strategic Core Planning Group will begin deliberations at a “retreat” at the Crowne Plaza Hotel this Wednesday (continuing through Friday) behind closed doors. The Committee was announced last Thursday by the Superintendent of Schools Timothy Connors and conists of 13 members of the public, two Board of Education members and one former Board member, and 13 employees of the school district. It was announced last week by the Superintendent that the meetings would be closed to the general public and the press in order “that people could express their feelings openly.”
According to the school newsletter describing the Strategic Planning Process, “members of the core planning committee will participate in a three-day retreat, where they will be gin to develop a draft of the district’s Strategic Plan. Actions will then be formed to develop plans to achieve the goals set forth in the Strategic Plan. At the conclusion of this process, the committee’s recommendations will go to the Board of Education for review and adoption.”
The questions to Mr. and Mrs. and Ms. White Plains in today’s new poll: Should the Public and Press be allowed to observe the sessions? Should the public be allowed in, and the Press barred? Should the public be allowed in and allowed comment from the floor? Or the public allowed in without ability to comment? Vote at the right.
WPCNR COMMON COUNCIL CHRONICLE-EXAMINER. February 5, 2007: AnneMcPherson will be officially appointed City Clerk this evening, succeeding Janice Minieri at tonight’s Common Council meeting. Also of interest will be approval of a resale without bidding of several lots on Railside Avenue, a hearing on the Senior Assisted Living zone change for North Street Community on Norht Street, and the Council is expected to extend the site plan for the New York Presbyterian Hospital proton accelerato/biomedical facility for a fourth consecutive year (without construction being started).
The Agenda follows:
COMMON COUNCIL AGENDA REGULAR STATED MEETING
February 5, 2007
7:30 P.M.
PLEDGE TO THE FLAG:Hon. Benjamin Boykin
INVOCATION:Rabbi Chaim Marder
Hebrew Institute
ROLL CALL:City Clerk
EMPLOYEEKyle Smith
OF THE MONTH:Parking Enforcement Officer
Parking Department
APPOINTMENT:
1.Communication from the Mayor in relation to the appointment of Anne McPherson as City Clerk.
LOCAL LAW:
2.Communication from Corporation Counsel in relation to proposed Local Law Introductory No. 1 of 2007 to amend Section 9, 9-A and 10 of the Charter of the City of White Plains regarding Full and Part Time City Court Judges.
3.Local Law Introductory No. 1 of 2007. A Local Law amending Sections 9, 9-A and 10 of the Charter of the City of White Plains relating to the number of Full-Time and Part-Time City Court Judges, to conform with the provisions of Section 2104 of the New York State Uniform City Court Act.
4.Resolution of the Common Council of the City of White Plains scheduling a public hearing for March 5, 2007, in relation to a Local Law amending Section 9, 9-A and 10 of the Charter of the City of White Plains relating to the number of Full-Time and Part-Time City Court Judges to conform with the provisions of Section 2104 of the New York State Uniform City Court Act.
ADJOURNED
PUBLIC HEARING:
5.Public Hearing in relation to Urban Renewal Plan Modification No. 1 for the Bank Street Urban Renewal Project, Project No. WPUR-11.
6.Public Hearing in relation to Urban Renewal Plan Modification No. 48 for the Central Renewal Project, Project No. NY R-37.
7.Public Hearing in relation to an amendment to the Zoning Ordinance of the City of White Plains as amended, submitted by North Street Community, LLC, with respect to creating a new Zoning District to be designated “Senior Residential Development District” and amending the Zoning Map of the City of White Plains to map this new district on the property known as Section-Block-Lot 131-06.1-1.1.
PUBLIC HEARINGS:
8.Public Hearing in relation to a proposed amendment to the Zoning Ordinance of the City of White Plains (“Zoning Ordinance”) with respect to a petition, submitted by North Street Community, LLC, to amend the Zoning Ordinance to create a “Planned Senior Residential Development District.”
9.Communication from Commissioner of Planning
10.Public Hearing in relation to the proposed amendment to the 1997 Comprehensive Plan Land Use Map, as amended, with respect to including as a permitted land use on the former St. Agnes Property a new land use entitled, “Planned Senior Residential Development.”
11.Public Hearing on a proposed amendment to the Zoning Ordinance, entitled, “The Zoning Ordinance of the City of White Plains,” with respect to re-zoning certain properties in the area of Miles Avenue, Albemarle Road, Beverly Road and Sherill Court from the R1-5 Single Family Zoning District to the R1-7.5 District Single Family Zoning District.
12.Public Hearing on a proposed amendment to the Comprehensive Plan, Section 2-I-G, the Land Use Plan Map, as amended, with respect to (A) single family residential density classifications; and (B) the land use classification of certain properties located in the area of Miles Avenue, Albemarle Road, Beverly Road and Sherill Court.
FIRST READING
ORDINANCES:
13.Communication from Corporation Counsel in relation to the settlement of certain tax review proceedings.
14.Ordinance authorizing the settlement of certain tax review proceedings.
15.Communication from Corporation Counsel in relation to an amendment to an ordinance to increase the amount of a legal services contract by transferring money within the Law Department Budget.
16.Ordinance amending an ordinance entitled, “Ordinance of the Common Council of the City of White Plains authorizing the Corporation Counsel to commence proceedings in City and/or State Court pursuant to City and/or State environmental statutes and other laws and regulations against an owner(s) or a lessee of real property located in the City of White Plains for violations of environmental laws. “
17.Communication from Corporation Counsel in relation to the settlement of a claim against the City by Artrisa Y. Thomas, a/k/a Artrisa Williams.
18.Ordinance of the Common Council of the City of White Plains authorizing the settlement of the action of Artrisa Y. Thomas a/k/a Artrisa Williams against the City of White Plains.
19.Communication from Chairman, Capital Projects Board, in relation to Capital Project No. W5246. Water System Security.
20.Communication from Environmental Officer.
21.Environmental Findings Resolution
22.Ordinance amending an ordinance entitled, “An ordinance amending the Capital Projects Fund by establishing Capital Project No. W5246, “Water System Security Design.”
23.Bond Ordinance amending the ordinance dated June 6, 2005, authorizing the issuance of $200,000 bonds of the City of White Plains, Westchester County, New York, to pay part of the cost of the engineering design for security systems for the City water system, to increase the estimated maximum cost of the project from $202,000 to $955,700, to increase the amount of bonds to be authorized from $200,000 to $950,000, to increase the maximum maturity of the bonds from five years to forty years and to expand the scope of the project to include construction of the project, in and for said City.
24.Communication from Commissioner of Public Works in relation to a request by the Saint Patrick’s Day Parade Committee for the closure of certain public rights-of-way and appropriate parking restrictions on Saturday, March 10, 2007.
25.Ordinance of the Common Council of the City of White Plains authorizing the closure of certain public streets and appropriate parking restrictions on March 10, 2007 for a Saint Patrick’s Day Parade sponsored by the White Plains Saint Patrick’s Day Parade Committee.
26.Communication from Commissioner of Public Safety in relation to an agreement with Vaughan & Associates for professional services in relation to the integration of information services and GIS tools related to public safety.
27.Ordinance amending an ordinance last amended on May 2, 2005, entitled, “An ordinance authorizing the Commissioner of Public Safety to enter into an agreement retaining the professional services of Vaughan & Associates for advice relating to establishment and integration of information services and Geographic Information Systems (GIS) tools related to public safety.”
28.Communication from Commissioner of Public Safety in relation to a grant from the New York State Office of Homeland Security in the amount of $50,000.00, and requesting a re-appropriation of the funds in the 2006-2007 Budget.
29.Ordinance amending an ordinance entitled, “An ordinance of the Common Council of the City of White Plains authorizing the Mayor, or his designee, to enter into access lease agreements for the installation of closed circuit cameras to be placed within the City and to amend the FY 2005-2006 General Fund Budget to provide for the purchase and installation costs of the required equipment.”
30.Communication from Commissioner of Finance in relation to the sales of certain City-owned property.
31.Communication from Environmental Officer.
32.Ordinance of the Common Council of the City of White Plains approving the sale of certain City-owned real property (Section 138.05, Block 4, Lots 7.2, 7.3, 7.4, 7.6, 7.7 and 7.8, and Section 138.05, Block 5, Lots 1.2 and 1.3 on the Tax Assessment Maps of the City of White Plains) by means of a private sale and authorizing the Mayor or his designee to execute all documents in connection with this sale.
33.Communication from Director, Youth Bureau, in relation to a donation from the Louis Cappelli Foundation, in the amount of $10,000, to be used to support the Youth Bureau’s Chess Programs.
34.Ordinance authorizing the Mayor to accept, on behalf of the City of White Plains Youth Bureau, a donation from the Louis Cappelli Foundation, in the amount of $10,000, to be used to support the Youth Bureau’s Chess Programs.
35.Communication from Director, Youth Bureau, in relation to a grant from Pow’r Against Tobacco, in the amount of $5,000, to be used to educate youth and young adults to the dangers of second hand smoking.
36.Ordinance authorizing the Mayor to accept, on behalf of the City of White Plains Youth Bureau, a grant from Pow’r Against Tobacco in the amount of $5,000 to be used to educate youth and young adults to the dangers of second hand smoking.
37.Communication from Deputy Director, Youth Bureau, in relation to a contract with the County of Westchester Invest In Kids Program to operate the Youth Aiming for Financial Independence Program.
38.Ordinance authorizing the Mayor to enter into a contract with the Westchester County Invest In Kids Program accepting a grant in the amount of $48,000 to operate the Youth Aiming for Financial Independence Program.
39.Communication from Deputy Director, Youth Bureau, in relation to a contract with the County of Westchester Invest In Kids Program to operate the DeKalb After School Program.
40.Ordinance authorizing the Mayor to enter into a contract with the County of Westchester Invest In Kids Program accepting a grant in the amount of $34,081 to operate the DeKalb After School Program.
41.Communication from Deputy Director, Youth Bureau, in relation to a contract with the County of Westchester Invest In Kids Program to operate the Step Up! Program.
42.Ordinance authorizing the Mayor to enter into a contract with the County of Westchester Invest In Kids Program accepting a grant in the amount of $70,200 to operate the Step Up! Program.
43.Communication from Commissioner of Recreation and Parks in relation to an award of $4,500 from the Hudson Valley Developmental Disabilities Service Office to provide a music therapy program for children with developmental disabilities.
44.Ordinance authorizing the Mayor to direct the Budget Director to amend the 2006-2007 General Fund Budget in order to reflect an award in the amount of $4,500 on behalf of the City of White Plains Department of Recreation and Parks.
45.Communication from Commissioner of Recreation and Parks in relation to an award in the amount of $1,383 from AAA Transportation to assist in the operation of the senior citizens bus transportation service.
46.Ordinance authorizing the Mayor to direct the Budget Director to amend the 2006-2007 General Fund Budget in order to reflect an award in the amount of $1,383 on behalf of the City of White Plains Department of Recreation and Parks Senior Citizens Program.
47.Communication from Personnel Officer in relation to a proposed amendment to the Municipal Code and the 2006-2007 Table of Organization.
48.Ordinance amending Section 2-6-81 of the White Plains Municipal Code by establishing and reallocating certain position titles; and amending the 2006-2007 Table of Organization by adding and abolishing certain positions.
RESOLUTIONS:
49.Communication from the Mayor in relation to a Home Rule Request for State Legislation to extend the Sunset Provision regarding the Local Sales Tax retained by the City of White Plains (Assembly Bill No. A3358) (Senate Bill No. S1553).
50.Resolution authorizing the Certification of a Home Rule Request seeking enactment of State Legislation amending Section 1210 of the Tax Law to extend the Sunset Provision in relation to the Local Sales Tax retained by the City of White Plains (Assembly Bill No. A3358) (Senate Bill No. S1553).
51.Communication from Acting Commissioner of Building in relation to a request by New York Presbyterian Hospital (Royal Charter Properties), for a one year extension of a previously approved Special Permit/Site Plan.
52.Communications fromCommissioner of Planning
53.Commissioner of Public Safety
54.Commissioner of Public Works
55.Commissioner of Traffic
56.Traffic Commission
57.Commissioner of Parking
58.Conservation Board
59.Westchester County Planning Board
60.Environmental Officer
61.Environmental Findings Resolution
62.Resolution of the Common Council of the City of White Plains granting an additional one (1) year extension of an amended Special Permit approval originally issued to New York Presbyterian Hospital on August 5, 2002, under Section 6.7.5 of the Zoning Ordinance of the City of White Plains, to allow for the construction of one (1) new hospital building consisting of approximately 384,000 square feet, containing 32,000 square feet of clinical outpatient treatment area, 50,000 square feet of equipment and 302,000 square feet of medical research area with associated parking facilities on Alternative Site No. 8 pursuant to the Alternative Site 8 Site Plan, subject to the findings contained in the Environmental Findings Statement and the conditions set forth herein, on property located at 21 Bloomingdale Road (Section 126.70, Block 1, Lot 1).
63.Communication from Commissioner of Planning in relation to an amendment to the Section 8 Program Administrative Plan.
64.Resolution adopting an amendment to the White Plains Section 8 Program Administrative Plan with respect to the replacement of the newspaper El Diario with El Aguilar News.
ITEM FOR REFERRAL:
65.Communication from Acting Commissioner of Building in relation to a request submitted on behalf of BNE Investors, LLC, for a one year extension of a Special Permit/Site Plan approval to construct a multi-family residential building at Maple and DeKalb Avenues.
66.Communication from Acting Commissioner of Building in relation to a request from 97-111 Hale LLC and 100-114 Hale LLC for a one year extension of a Special Permit/Site Plan approval to construct two ten story multi-family residential buildings on Hale Avenue.
ITEM FOR INFORMATION:
67.Communication from Commissioner of Finance transmitting the Second Quarter Capital Projects Status Report for Fiscal Year 2006-07.
68.Communication from Commissioner of Finance transmitting the Interim Financial Report for the Second Quarter ending December 31, 2006.
69.Communication from the Mayor transmitting the Capital Improvement Program Fiscal Year 2007 – 2008.
70.Communication from Acting Commissioner of Building in relation to a request from 122 W.P.R. Corp. for a renewal of a Special Permit to maintain an Accessory Parking Lot at 138 West Post Road.
WPCNR COUNTY CLARION-LEDGER. From Westchester County Department of Communication. February 5, 2007 (EDITED, Pic added)UPDATED 2:15 PM EST UPDATED February 7, 2007 3:05 PM: The County Executive Andy Spano announced Tuesday that this shelter location has been withdrawn See more recent story for details. Previously, County Executive Andy Spano announced Monday that the drop-in center located at 85 Court Street in White Plains which gives homeless people a place to sleep at night will be relocated as quickly as possible to a new facility to be built at the County’s Department of Public Safety. The decision came after a series of productive meetings Spano has had with Common Council President Rita Malmud, Councilmen Thomas Roach and Benjamin Boykin and Board of Legislators Chair Bill Ryan, who represents White Plains.
Donna Greene, Assistant communications Director advised WPCNR that the overflow of homeless persons that have swelled the population housed nightly at 85 Court Street, (the County Executive said 80 persons have been showing up lately attempting to use the shelter) have been housed elsewhere.
Asked when the new facility is expected to be opened, Ms. Greene issued this statement: “There is no specific into on time frame of new building. We are the early stages.”
Volunteers of America Vans turning into 85 Court Street Driveway whisking White Plains “hardcore homeless” two blocks to 85 Court Street on shelter Opening Night January 16, 2006. The present procedure will continue indefinitely until the new $2 Million facility is built. No target date for completion was given by the County in today’s sketchy announcement.Photo, WPCNR News Archive.
“As everyone knows by now, this drop-in center was always considered temporary. We have tried to find other locations since the beginning of last year. I am pleased that we have come up with another county site that is more appropriate to handle our homeless population. The current drop-in serves a maximum of 43 men, and right now we are picking up about 80,” said Spano.
Spano thanked the White Plains committee headed by Malmud as well as Board of Legislators Chair Bill Ryan for working productively with him. “They came to us and let us know their concerns.We heard what they had to say and we listened.”
Board of Legislators Chairman Bill Ryan said, “We have decided on a plan of action that satisfies both city and county interests. The homeless on the streets of White Plains need to be sheltered at night. The county wants to help with that. The drop-in center in the basement of 85 Court Street is too small and was only meant to be used temporarily. We will now build a permanent drop-in center, on a secure site in a less populated area that can handle the larger number of homeless requiring overnight shelter.”
Common Council President Malmud said, “I want to thank County Executive Spano for meeting and really listening to our concerns. While Councilman Dennis Power did not attend, he contributed greatly in helping think things through to a successful conclusion.
Malmud added, “White Plains has always been willing to help those in need. Despite the closing of the shelter at 85 Court Street, we will continue to have other housing for the homeless in White Plains.At a time when some shelters in Westchester have closed, we are glad that this temporary but additional White Plains shelter is being relocated to a much better site in the county and that those in need will be carefully provided for.”
Councilman Benjamin Boykin stated, “I am pleased that working in a collaborative partnership with County Executive Andy Spano, Chairman of the County Board of Legislators William Ryan and my fellow White Plains Democratic Councilmen Rita Malmud, Thomas Roach and Dennis Power, the county is going to relocate the homeless shelter located at 85 Court Street to a building outside of White Plains that will benefit the entire county by providing this fragile population with a facility in an appropriate location. The meetings with our elected county government officials over the last several months have resolved a difficult issue for the residents of White Plains.”
Councilman Thomas Roach said, “We appreciated the opportunity to meet with the CountyExecutive to express our concern that White Plains was carrying more than its share of a countywide responsibility. By having these discussions, we were able to take politics out of the equation and achieve a positive result.’’
Spano said besides understanding the concerns of White Plains the move was needed because the county was finding it difficult to handle the overflow. Spano reiterated what has been previously said and shown to be true: that the drop-in has posed no safety concerns for White Plains residents.Nothing but the location has changed. Those homeless who continue to gather at the corner of Martin Luther King Blvd. will be transported by vans to the new site at county police headquarters in Hawthorne. They will stay there overnight and then be brought back to White Plains in the morning as has been done for 20 years. Once in White Plains, the men will be taken to Project Trust, a program begun last year which helps the homeless during the day and encourages them to enter the regular shelter system for assistance and services.
The process will begin immediately and construction will begin as soon as possible to create the new facility. The site is the old police impound lot which is vacant space.It is a secure site, on police grounds, and secluded from neighborhoods and commercial establishments. The Department of Public Safety is located off the Saw Mill River Parkway and there are no homes in the vicinity. The homeless will follow the same procedure used in White Plains.
If someone wants to leave at night, they will be transported back to White Plains where they were picked up, and the White Plains police will be informed. Once a person leaves, he will not be allowed back in the drop-in. No one will be allowed to wander around the Hawthorne location, and only the homeless currently picked up in White Plains will be transported.
The cost of the building the facility is estimated to be about $2 million and funding has been included in the Department of Social Services operating budget since 2006 in the hope of finding another space.
Anticipating a possible negative response from the Town of Mount Pleasant, Spano said, “This is aboutthe safest and most secure spot in the county. It is right next to police headquarters. The people in Mount Pleasant should not be concerned. It will not affect them or their quality of life. What it will be doing is givingthe homeless a better place to spend the night to keep safe and warm.’’
He added, “We are under no obligation to create a drop-in shelter, but it’s the safest and most humane thing to do for everyone.”
WPCNR Photograph of the Day. By a WPCNR Roving Reporter. February 5, 2007: Monday morning’s photographs come from Carl Albanese, whose letters to Toast of the Town protest strongly against the proposed resale of Railside Avenue lots whose previous buyers have withdrawn their bids, according to Mayor Joseph Delfino. The photographs show the progress on the first two building lots, one from the Greenway Trail, plagued by flooding and one where a home is rising on Railside Avenue.
Photographs of the first phase of Railside Avenue development documented one year after properties were sold.Photographs by Carl Albanese
WPCNR SCHOOL DAYS. February 3, 2007: The White Plains City School District through the Superintendent of Schools Office has released a report on the World Cafe meeting held January 24 in which 144 persons attended from across the city to answer survey questions about what they thought of the City School District. The 8-1/2 page report is available through the Superintendent.
The overwhelming response garnered from 320 respenses generated concern about the Curriculum and Program (57%) (courses and how they are taught) with less than 11% of responses concerned about school finances and budget growth, faculty, school testing, future school facilities and special needs. No mention is reported of participants’ concern about facilities and only cursory concern about what lies ahead for district growth . The report indicates a genuine “thumbs up” for the way the school district has been conducting, planning and handling the education of White Plains students.
The report does not break down percentages of responses on the many comments collected in the report (all comments are not published). Herewith is the report which will be used as a basis for community comment when the Strategic Core Planning Group meets Wednesday through Friday next week at the Crowne Plaza Hotel. That meeting will be closed to the public and the media at this time.
Here is the text of the “Introduction and Background” Report issued to WPCNR Friday afternoon:
Introduction and Background
The White PlainsSchool District has embarked upon a Strategic Planning Initiative to plan for the long term future and success of the district. As part of the process, the district held a World Café on January 24, 2007. The purpose of the World Café was to allow the community at large to share its thoughts on what we have accomplished, what our students believe is the value of our school district, where we are going, and what our future challenges maybe.
Approximately 140 individuals (staff, parents, and community members) attended the World Café and they were asked five questions:
* What would you want the students of White Plains to thank the school district for as they graduate?
* What are your biggest concerns about our schools and what would you want to see changed as we plan our future?
* What changes in practice would the White PlainsSchool District need to make in order to achieve what you just described?
* What do you really value about our schools that you would want to see retained as we plan our future?
* What are the greatest untapped resources of our staff and community that might contribute to the success of our students?
It is important to recognize that although 140 individuals attended, each person had the opportunity to give multiple responses to each question. Major themes emerged in the responses to each question, and they, along with miscellaneous responses are reported in the summary of findings. A key to acronyms in this report is as follows:
ESL/ESOL : English as a Second Language
ELL: English Language Learner
LSP: Language Strategies Program
OT:Occupational Therapy
PT: Physical Therapy
TERC: K-5 Math curriculum: Investigations
Summary of Findings
Question one asked the participants what they thought our students should thank us for as they graduate. Four themes emerged from a total of 271 responses
Program Offerings 33%
Life Skills27%
Feeling cared for/supported23%
Academics/Skills preparation13%
Some verbatim examples of the responses to each question follow.
Program Offerings
* Good sports program, great clubs and after school activities
* Multi-sensory proçjrarn allowed me to graduate with honors
* Full-day kindergarten
* LSP, OT. PT, Wings, ESOL are great!!!
* Wide range of electives
Life Skills
* Enabling wonderful insights to who I am and what 1111cc
* Opportunity to be the best I can be
* Being given the skills and decision making ability to be able to handle whatever’ comes my way
* Being aware of the world around them and having the ability to make independent decisions
* Preparation to be citizens of the world
*Taught me to be independent, responsible and time management skills
Feeling cared for and supported
* I was able to learn because I felt safe and comfortable
*For caring about me
*For giving me access to administrators and faculty
*Giving me a chance to be a star and giving everyone a chance to shine
*For offering alternatives to the bad choices that teens make or face
Academic/Skills preparation
* The coursework allowed for a greater learning of subject matter
* For being aptly prepared to be academically competitive in higher levels of academics
*A challenging, multi-faceted education
*Graduating with stronger math and science skills
*The opportunity to have a well-rounded, diverse education
Miscellaneous Responses
*Summer job opportunities
*Teachers who kept parents informed
*A proactive approach to prevent or find potential problems
* The beauty of the facilities
Question two focused on the participants’ greatest concerns about our schools and elicited suggestions for what they would want to see changed as we plan our future. Six themes emerged from a total of 320 responses.
Curriculum and Program57%
Social Concerns11%
Faculty/Staff10%
Finances/Funding/Expenditures9%
Discipline6%
Special Needs of Learners4%
(English Language Learners, Special Eduction)
Samples of verbatim responses to each theme are listed below.
Curriculum and Program
* Too much teaching to the test
* You are not putting enough resources to the students tot a are just average
* Social promotion must stop
* Quality of education must remain at a high level
* Focus on basics
* TERC math
* Not enough structure in the Elementary curriculum
* Not enough field trips or out-of-school enrichment
* Wish languages started earlier
* Inside recess should not involve watching ‘TV. Where is the structure?
* The district does not have reliable academic standards because the Board and Administration have reduced passing grades on exams to accommodate uneducated students
* Eliminate the achievement gap
* Schools are crowded
* Longer school day and year
* Get rid of open campus at the high school — allows too many problems
* Academics dominate and emotions are not values
*Increase flexibility in schedule/day plan for schools
Social Concerns
* Need to confront racism
* Need more trust and communication between/within groups
* Opinions matter-give people a chance to share them
* Be honest about diversity
*Parental apathy
* Shjfting demographics and challenges associated with that
Faculty/Staff
* Some administrators need to work more for the kids — not themselves
* Some teachers are coasting and “taking up space”
* Review of tenure so unmotivated teachers aren’t protected
* Faculty complacent and resistant to change — need to embrace research-based best practices and stop blaming the kids and parents
* Need a diverse, high quality staff
SOCIAL
* Finances/Funding/Expenditures
*Afraid taxes will force people to move; can’t afford to live here
*Concern about funding tax certioraris
*Concern about distribution of resources
*Budget vote should be moved to November
*Budget is mismanaged
Special Needs of Learners (ELL, Special Education etc.)
* Concerns about gap between non-English speaking students and others; makes teaching more of a challenge
* Attention should be paid to all
* There are not enough translators, ESOL teachers, reading teachers in schools
*Does the district have a clear program for non-English speakers?
* Train faculty to deal with diverse groups
*Separateness and programming and lack of achievement for Special Education students need to be eliminated. “Separate but not equal”
*Resources need to be put to remedial programs
*Language barriers need to be addressed
*Need for support services — will have to expand
*More programs for Hispanic students
* ESOL — reduce class sizes and provide more support after child leaves program
Student Discipline
* Discipline/Dress Code/Code of Conduct not being enforced across the District
* Tardiness/A bsencesfrorn school are hurting the flow of education.
* Child Stress
* Safety of all students
* Accountability/Responsibility in the students part
* Lack of student respect towards others
* Need consistent student discipline
Miscellaneous Responses
* (This) Survey has to be more extensive and detailed
*Too much paper — we like trees
*Communication between upper grades and home needs to improve
*Promote schools of excellence
*Lack of good public relations
*Population keeps going up yet we are told its leveling off
Question three focused on what changes in practice the White Plains School District would have to make in order to achieve those things participants discussed in question two. Five themes emerged from a total of 190 responses.
Programming50%
Use of human resources17%
Relationships with parents and community12%
Focus on Testing7%
Diversity6%
Some examples of verbatim responses are:
Programming
* De-emphasize state tests as central focus in curriculum planning and encourage creative thinking and teaching strategies
* Enrichment for all
* Stop spending money on programs that don’t work
* GET RID OF TERC MATH
* Change program for ESOL kids -. meet their needs, not force kids into our preexisting proqrams (which are limited)
* Put money from buses leaving at 2:05 and use it so teachers can be available for x-period. X-period should be mandatory.
* Shift focus back to reinforcement of basic skills
* Smaller classes at the HS and Middle School
Use of Human Resources
*Upgrade the tenure process — should be much more rigorous
*Review of materials, curriculum and actual classroom teaching, so teachers are monitored periodically and those who are chronically late, play movies or teach ineffectively are given concrete goals for improvement and a timeline to achieve it or they are out
* Hire teachers that have a passion for teaching
* More diverse representation of staff across the district even if it means reassignment across — throughout the buildings
Relationship with parents and community
* Need better P.R. — good news from our schools
* Provide more and consistent opportunities for parents to contribute to in-class activities
* Increase parent involvement
* Create tangible connections to student’s global counterparts in this changing world especially across socio-economic lines (teleconference with other countries)
* More parent communication with the school as a community so that parents can understand what is being taught and can give their input or feedback — An open line of communication. Parents should be more involved in curriculum planning
* Board and Superintendent need to be more open to change — not decide the answer before you ask the question — look outside for answers.
Focus on testing
* Assessments — need to be modified on students — are they learning the skills?
* Teaching to the test doesn’t always transfer to greater knowledge
* Don’t teach to the test and not the children —find the balance
* Increase passing scores on the Regents exam
Diversity
* Need equal demographics in the elementary schools
* Provide more daily opportunities for sharing backgrounds and student diversity
* Do more to break down racial and ethnic divides among children; encourage interaction
* Speak only English in classrooms to encourage the ESOL students to continue what they’ve learned
* Remove things which foster racism (institutional approach)
Miscellaneous Responses
* Find ways to increase tax revenue from commercial properties and development in White Plains. More $ = better provisions
* Pay taxes from budget as opposed to bonds
* School board elections — have all elections on the same day
*Consistency between buildings, programs, and policies needs to be put in place
Question four focused on the aspects of our schools that participants value, and which they would want to see retained as we plan our future. Three themes emerged from a total of 296 responses.
Specific Programs and services 63%
Interactions with the community 16%
Diversity10%
Supportive environment for staff and students9%
Verbatim responses include:
Specific programs and services
* Music and Art Program
*Athletics/Sports
* Choice Program
* Retain quality teachers
* Respect for diversity
* Diversity of programming /
* Special Education Programs/Learning Strategies Programs — they are excellent
* Wings Programs
* Keep team aspect at Middle Schools
* AP and Honors classes
* Technology in the classroom
* Full day kindergarten
* Small class size
Interactions with the community
* Parental involvement
* Sense of community amongst all stake holders
* Communication tools
* Seeking/listening to opinions of all
* Tap into the resources of the community
*Opportunities for the community to come together to address concerns and plan for the future
* Maintain strong community support for the schools
* Open door policy for Administration and Board
* Coordination of safety teams with community
Supportive environment for students and staff
* Positive teacher relationship with students
* Keep security guards at High School for order
* School Spirit — kids are proud of their schools
* Let the teachers know they are valued
*Caring attitudes that the teachers and TAs provide for all students is greatly valued
*Support staff and the purpose they serve needs to be valued
* Support from staff to staff
* Respectfvlness on the part of most staff
* Pride in the District
* Create a real sense of community for kids (no bullying allowed). Schools really try to instill idea of good citizenship
WPCNR’S ADAM IN ALBANY. By Assemblyman Adam T. Bradley, 89th District. February 2, 2007: Taken as a whole, Governor Spitzer’s budget proposal hits all the right notes – tax relief to the middle-class, investing in education and providing health care to all New YorkState children.A more cautious review uncovers a few areas where we need to ask a few questions, such as the elimination of local aid and health care cuts.
Spitzer’s tax relief plan is of utmost importance to Westchester homeowners, whose incomes have just not risen fast enough to keep up with the escalating property taxes.However, higher cost-of-living in our communities must be taken into account and incorporated into the equation.This relief might not be enough.Under the governor’s expanded STAR program, Westchester homeowners can expect an increase in their STAR savings over last year:
Estimated 07-08 savings for Basic STAR
Average 06-07 Basic STAR savings
Income
up to $80,000
Income
$80,001 – $120,000
Income
$120,001 – $160,000
Income
$160,001 – $235,000
$1,823
$3,281
$2,971
$2,662
$2,370
The executive budget also provides more relief for senior homeowners with estimated savings increasing from $3,095 to $4,024.
Education funding was also increased for the school districts I represent and I am very pleased that we finally have a governor committed to fulfilling the CFE decision.The governor avoided using a “Robin Hood” approach to fund distressed school districts, which would have hurt Westchester schools.While Spitzer’s proposal does provide a boost in aid to every school district within the 89th Assembly District, some increases fall short, such as the two percent increase for White Plains.
Another area that will receive a thorough review at our hearings is the health care reforms the governor is advocating for.Putting the focus on patients and insuring the 400,000 children in our state that currently go without health care coverage is something I wholeheartedly support.
However, we need to cautiously go through the finer details of the cuts being proposed so our local hospitals such as White Plains, Northern Westchester and the WestchesterCountyMedicalCenter can continue to provide an exceptional quality of care and vital services.There is no doubt that our health care system needs reforms in order to sustain it for future generations and ensure access and affordability today, but we simply cannot compromise patient care.
We also cannot ignore our communities.Spitzer proposed eliminating aid to the towns of Bedford, Harrison, Lewisboro, New Castle, NorthCastle and Pound Ridge and the village of Harrison.While the previous aid amounted to only a small percent of the state’s overall aid to localities, it was significant to these towns and villages.Eliminating this aid is merely a tax shift onto property taxpayers and I will fight to restore it during budget negotiations.
WPCNR SCHOOL DAYS. From Michele Schoenfeld. February 1, 2007: The School District will convene the Annual Budget Committee next Tuesday evening at 7:30 P.M. at Education House to begin the process of developing the 2007-2008 school budget. The budget has already been trimmed to $174.4 Million because of the decision by the district they did not need $8 Million for possible certioraris. Today the District announced the names of the citizens who will help decide this year’s budget.
The committee consists of 38 persons from the community with a number of new faces, and some veteran “budget watchers and approvers” in recent years. The process instituted in the 1990s gathers together a group of citizens to go over budget pressures and provides a forum for the school district to explain the pressures contributing to budget pressures in the coming year.
The members are Marc Bodner, Sheryl Brady, Kenneth Burford, Patty Cantu, Leonard G. Coleman, William Deering, Al Dold, Innocent Enaye, Eli Fritz (League of Women Voters), Lina Gomez, Nikki Gray (NAACP), Stephen Holden (ROTARY), Lani Hosei (WPHS General Organization), Jim Hricay, Raymond Indelicato (Historical Society), Lewis Kanner (REALTORS), Nina Kimenker, Charles Lederman (CNA), Phil McGovern, Charlie Norris, Louis Petralia, Marc Pollitzer, Karen Reynolds (PTA Council), Chris Rivera (WPHS General organization), Jonathan Rodey, Judy Rubin, Joanne Sayer, David Schuler, Denise Serra (PTA Council), Peggy Shea (REALTORS), Naima Smith-Moore, Ida Stewart, Tapani Talo, Cathy Toohey, Gloria Vasquez, Irv Wiggs, Nick Wolff.
Leonard Coleman, Sheryl Brady, Charlie Norris also will serve on the Strategic Planning Core Committee announced earlier today.
WPCNR SCHOOL DAYS. By John F. Bailey. February 1, 2007: The School District released the names of residents and school district personalities who will decide the direction of White Plains Schools for the next decade today as part of the district-launched “Strategic Planning Process.” The blue ribbon list of concerned citizens includes 2 present Board of Education members, 1 former member, the Superintendent, 13 employees of the city schools and 13 members of the community.
Superintendent of Schools Timothy Connors announced the “Strategic Planning Core Committee” would meet at the Crowne Plaza Hotel for three days next Wednesday through Friday (February 7-9) to begin the planning process. The meeting will not be open to the public nor the press. Connors explained this policy as allowing members of the committee “to speak freely.”
Connors reported that, barring inclement weather tomorrow, that the comments collected from the public at the World Cafe meeting January 25 will be available to the media tomorrow Friday for examination. The Planning Core Committee is expected to digest the comments and grapple with the needs as expressed by the 144 people who attended and gave their comments that night.
The Strategic Planning Core Committee members are from the public: Sheryl Brady, Victor Brady, Bill Carter, Vicki Cignarella,Benny Cipriano, Leonard Coleman, Leslie Davis, Malula Gonzalez, Melissa Lopez, Ana Montoya, Charlie Norris, Randy Patterson, and Jerry Rosen . The members from the Board of Education are Peter Bassano, Donna McLaughlin, and former member Dorothy Schere. Employees of the City School District serving are: Mr. Connors, Lenora Boehlert, Kerry Broderick, LaShiela Brown, Leroy Dixon, Margaret Dwyer, Terri Klemm, Suzanne Lasser, Mary Marquis, Marianna McCormack, Alberto Minotta, Lesley Tompkins, and George Tsuji.
WPCNR MAIN STREET JOURNAL. By John F. Bailey. February 1, 2007: Bruce Berg, Vice President of Cappelli Enterprises, speaking to WPCNR today has categorically denied that Cappelli Enterprises is seeking to acquire a country club in White Plains, or any country club anywhere else as an amenity for guests of the Ritz-Carlton Westchester, the dual-spired luxury hotel rising on Main Street.
Mr. Berg said, “I told you before, there is no truth to that,” referencing a widely circulated report to community neighborhood associations that Cappelli Enterprises was seeking to purchase a local country club. The rumor had Cappelli Enterprises demolishing a clubhouse, building another one, and making it available to guests and residents of the Ritz-Carlton for play as a “perk.” Asked if the Cappelli organization was seeking arrangements for use of other country clubs in the area, Berg said, “not at all. Nowhere.”
