Kira DiFalco

This document is a profile of Harrison High School, an International Baccalaureate World School. It highlights the school's commitment to academic excellence, rigor, adaptability, equity, and access for all students, supported by its diverse community. Key features include a fully inclusive educational program, high rankings, extensive participation in AP and IB courses, and a wide array of specialized programs and extracurricular activities, all aimed at fostering student success and college readiness.

The meeting included procedural steps such as calling the business meeting to order, a roll call, and an executive session recess and reopening. Key actions involved personnel matters, including approvals for certificated, non-certificated, and other personnel actions. Administrative actions included accepting two donations: one from the Samuel J. Preston PTA Fifth Grade Committee to offset a field trip cost, and another from the 1898 Foundation to support the Boys and Girls Golf Teams. The Board also approved the appointment of an Impartial Hearing Officer, adopted the 2026-2027 School Calendar, and approved two Memorandums of Agreement with the Harrison Association of Teachers regarding retirement incentives and individualized instruction rates. Field trip approval was granted for the Varsity Cheerleading Team to attend a championship in Orlando, Florida. In Finance and Facilities, the Board approved participation in a no-cost Bus Fleet Electrification Study. Resolutions were passed to formally declare various assets as disposals based on an asset valuation review and subsequent internal review, and to authorize the disposal of specific equipment. The Board also approved appropriation transfers, a contract for health services with Irvington U.F.S.D., and the bid results for general contracting at Samuel J. Preston Elementary School, rejecting one bid as non-responsive and awarding the contract to the lowest responsive bidder.

The Regular Business Meeting included several key actions primarily focused on contract awards under RFB #25/26-12 and RFB #25/26-13. Contracts were awarded for General Contracting, Electrical, Plumbing, and HVAC services at Harrison Avenue Elementary School. Additionally, contracts for Electrical, Plumbing, and HVAC services at Samuel J. Preston Elementary School were awarded. The Board also approved Change Order G-001, which increased the total cost for the Ballistic Assault Barrier System provided by Diamond Defense LLC.

The meeting commenced with procedural motions to open the business session, followed by a recess into Executive Session to discuss a teacher and contractual matter before reopening the business meeting and observing the Pledge of Allegiance. Key actions included approving personnel actions for certificated and non-certificated staff. The Board approved two field trips for the Harrison High School Debate Team to Massachusetts and the Model Congress to Boston. Additionally, the Board accepted three donations from the Harrison High School PTA, the Harrison High School Class of 2026, and the Harrison CSEA 860 Aides & Teaching Assistants Union for various purposes, including scholarships and trip transportation. The Board also approved various CSE/CPSE minutes and recommendations. In finance, actions included approving the Treasurer's Report for December 2025, the 2nd quarter report for Extraclassroom Activity Funds, appropriation transfers for 2025/26, a contract for health services with Scarsdale UFSD, and the award of Contract RFP #2026-1 for Food Service Design Services.

The Harrison Central School District's strategic vision, embedded within its 2024-2025 budget information, outlines a commitment to rigorous, accessible, and personalized learning experiences for every student, alongside prudent financial management. Key strategic pillars include strengthening content and skills alignment, maintaining a highly trained faculty, utilizing multiple assessment measures, and developing IB Learning Traits to foster inquiring, knowledgeable, and caring young people. The district's mission emphasizes equity, access, rigor, and adaptability, aiming to engage students in critical thinking and ethical problem-solving to positively impact the global society, supported by strong partnerships with parents, community members, and educators.