The Edgemont Community Council, Inc.

Just in case you didn’t receive it, this is a reminder that the Edgemont Community Survey is available and the deadline was extended to Monday(1/13). This is a great opportunity to weigh in on the important issues surrounding the school facilities. For more information and a link to the survey, please refer to the below from Superintendent Kniewel:

Dear Members of the Edgemont Community,

Happy New Year! I wish all the best to you and your families in 2020. Thank you to those of you who have completed the survey about our district’s facilities already. I understand there may have been a glitch that prevented some of you from responding. We have addressed this issue and invite you to try again. In order to get as many responses as possible, we have extended the deadline to Monday, January 13, 2020.  Please take a moment to complete the survey and share your thoughts.  The original email, which explains the purpose of the survey and includes links to additional information, appears below.

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me.

Sincerely,

Victoria Kniewel

Community Survey

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Dear Members of the Edgemont Community,

In the life cycle of every school district, there are critical times for the community to come together and make decisions. In Edgemont, with our consistently high expectations and sound investments in our schools, we have reached one of those times. As I was recently quoted in the Scarsdale Inquirer’s December 13, 2019 article, “The district is running out of space and needs to do something about it.”

Many of our school facilities, which have served us well for many years, are now in need of expansion, renovation, and/or replacement. The district’s growing enrollment, the aging out of some facilities and systems, and evolving programmatic needs demand more space if we are to continue to deliver the quality and quantity of learning experiences our students require and our community expects. Most critically, there is a shortage of classrooms in all three schools. Systems such as HVAC and electrical are outdated; core spaces such as cafeterias and auditoriums no longer meet our students’ needs nor accommodate district growth. We need to continue to upgrade our campuses to reflect our evolving understanding of best practices in school security and safety. Parking and vehicle access to the campuses are insufficient.

You can review a detailed summary of the space issues at all three schools and a recent presentation on student enrollment. We are in the process of creating a website specifically for information regarding capital projects and bonding. This website will launch in January 2020.

Where there are challenges, there are also opportunities. As the school district confronts these issues, we have the chance to envision the future we want for our children. Many parents, community members, faculty and staff have shared their thoughts in person at community forums and meetings. Whether or not you were able to attend those meetings, join the community in voicing your opinions via this anonymous survey. Your input will assist district leaders and Board of Education members in making informed decisions regarding facilities, as we balance the physical needs with the tax impact associated with these improvements. Please take a few minutes to consider these issues and to share your thoughts by January 10th.

Community Survey

Sincerely, 

Victoria Kniewel

The Edgemont Community Council will hold its January 2020 meeting tomorrow, Monday, January 6th at 8PM in the Edgemont Junior Senior High School Faculty Lounge.

The agenda can be found on our website.

As always, ECC meetings are open to the public.

This Tuesday is the Greenville Fire District election. On the ballot this year for re-election to another five-year term is longtime Edgemont resident Walter Groden. While Walter is running uncontested, it’s important for the
community to show up and vote for commissioners because write-in candidates can win by just a few votes. 

Walter is a regular attendee of ECC meetings as the Fire District’s liaison to the ECC, where he keeps us apprised of all matters pertaining to Edgemont’s public safety.  His was a leading voice in bringing to our attention the many safety problems associated with the Town’s decision to approve construction of an assisted living facility at a location on Underhill Road which is more than a mile from where permitted under the Town’s zoning law.  He brings over 40 years of experience working as a Fire Protection Engineer for multi-national manufacturing and insurance corporations. Walter’s fire service experience includes both fire suppression and EMS experience as a fire officer at both the local and county government level.

Voting will take place between 4 and 9 p.m. at the Firehouse at 711 Central Avenue (across from Ben’s deli).

Due to the inclement weather, tonight’s December ECC meeting has been rescheduled to tomorrow, Tuesday 12/3 at 8PM in the EHS Faculty Lounge.

The Edgemont Community Council will hold its December 2019 meeting tomorrow, Monday, December 2th at 8PM in the Edgemont Junior Senior High School Faculty Lounge.

The agenda can be found on our website.

Please note that the forecast calls for inclement weather. If the District cancels school, we’ll have to reschedule our meeting.

As always, ECC meetings are open to the public.