K-L District Discusses Halloween, Snow Days and Difficult Times [Poll]

The Katonah Lewisboro school board and district administration acknowledged the difficult times members of the school community have had in recent weeks, including the deaths of the Friedlander family and the snowstorm that knocked out power and blocked roads for almost a week after it occurred.

"From the tragic deaths of the Friedlander family—members of the Lewisboro community—to the recent issues of the nearly district-wide loss of power and other services, we have been challenged," said school board president, Mark Lipton. "I salute your desire to pull together, when I have no doubt many others less strong would have been torn apart."

The district will be reaching out to the Jewish Family Congregation to reschedule the Friedlander memorial service which was to take place last Sun. Oct. 30.

Reopening schools

The district announced it was opening though its communications systems were compromised and phone calls will not be able to be received at usual phone numbers. Schools are able to dial 911 for emergency purposes and temporary numbers were set up for families to use for calling in any emergency related information: Meadow Pond Elementary School/Increase Miller Elementary School: (914) 441-6743; John Jay High School/John Jay Middle School - (914) 441-6745 and Katonah Elementary School/Lewisboro Elementary School (914) 441-6764.

Email is encouraged for non-emergency communication.

Superintendent of Schools Paul Kreutzer said he was confident that school bus routes were ready for Friday after over 37 roads blocked by trees were cleared Wednesday and Thursday. 

Snow days

The school district calendar includes 180 school days required by law, plus four weather reserve days, according to Alice Cronin, assistant superintendent for curriculum and instruction.

Cronin said the district has now used up the four weather reserve days, but still has the required 180 scheduled, plus the use of at least three of five staff development days should it be necessary to cancel school in the event of future wintry weather.

Halloween

Kreutzer announced that he was working with the town of Lewisboro and would reach out to the school community in Katonah to recommend rescheduling Halloween trick-or-treating for Sat. Nov. 12.

Though some Halloween events took place this week, such as the Bedford Hills Halloween parade in conjunction with the Bedford Hills Free Library, residents of Katonah and Lewisboro have not held any activities due to unsafe road conditions and power outages.

Bedford Supervisor Lee Roberts hasn't weighed in on a rescheduled Halloween, noting that some events happened in town, albeit with a reduced participation. Kreutzer said he would be reaching out to her and residents of Katonah, where the holiday is a big tradition.

The school board also:

Approved the development and delivery of a community survey to be administered via its public relations firm, Syntax, that would ask residents opinions on an array of topics including taxes, district performance and safety.

Decided on a process for creating a sub-committee that would interview two consultng firms (narrowed down from four contenders) who will, once selected, determine efficiencies and savings in the district's health care plans.

Check back with Patch for more on both of these stories.