2023 Instructional Bond

Thank you, voters. Instructional Bond Referendum passes 685 to 210.

Dear Wildcats,

I am pleased to share with you that Mount Pleasant Central School District voters passed the Instructional Bond Referendum 685 to 210. A pass rate of 77%.

As I said last year when we passed the Field Bond, strong school communities are supported one vote at a time and through powerful partnerships. Tonight’s result is a testament to both our strength and our Wildcat Pride.

On behalf of the Board of Education and our students, thank you to all who came out to vote. Our work will commence tomorrow to begin its implementation.

The future is bright, Mount Pleasant, thank you for your partnership, trust, and confidence.

Go Wildcats Go!!

With best regards,

Dr. Peter GiarrizzoSuperintendent of Schools

12/13/2023: Voters Easily Approve Mt. Pleasant School District’s $35.9M Bondhttps://www.theexaminernews.com/voters-easily-approve-mt-pleasant-school-districts-35-9m-bond/

Westlake Events on 12/12/23

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Click here or on the logo to read the full Examiner article published on December 5, 2023.

Bond Communications

Introducing the 2023 Instructional Bond (9/6/2023)

Dear Wildcats,

The work on our turf field and athletic facilities on the Westlake Campus is progressing well and we are looking forward to it being completed. It is now time to plan for the next 3-5 years. We are specifically planning improvements to our schools that are focused on both safety and security as well as to the instructional program. Our work will also address the space constraints that currently exist at Hawthorne Elementary School. Just like the field bond, this proposed project will be structured to be tax neutral, thus having no additional impact on our residents' taxes.

As discussed at the August 16th Board of Education Meeting , the District will once again have retiring debt in 2026 making this the optimal time to begin planning for the next phase of projects.

Please join us at the September 20th Board of Education Meeting at which time our Business Official Margaret Modugno and I will deliver a comprehensive presentation together with our financial advisor, Bernard P. Donegan, Inc., our architects, Memasi Design, and our construction manager, Arris Contracting.

In June, we sent out an Instructional Improvements Survey to the community. An analysis of the responses enabled us to identify that as a community the priorities for our schools include: Safety and Security, the Theater, science classrooms, Makerspaces, Libraries, classroom renovations, building additions, fine and performing arts spaces, and the cooling of instructional spaces such as our gymnasiums. We also learned that many of you wish to explore air conditioning for our classrooms. We will discuss the feasibility and explore other funding sources to tackle this over time without adding to our tax burden. Using this data, we have determined that the time is right to present the taxpayers with a bond to fund key improvements to our district facilities.

Please take a few minutes to review the attached Fast Facts document and begin to familiarize yourself with this exciting project.

We will be holding information sessions, sending emails, and meeting with community groups. Please look for ways to get informed or reach out at 914-769-5500 or at pgiarrizzo@mtplcsd.org to speak or meet with me directly.

With best regards,

Dr. Peter Giarrizzo
Superintendent of Schools

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Areas Addressed (9/28/2023)

Dear Mount Pleasant Community,

In the interest of familiarizing you with the full scope of the proposed instructional bond scheduled for December 12, 2023, please take a moment to review the latest bond communication which is attached.

For complete details including our prior communication and the presentation from the Board of Education meeting on September 20, please visit the 2023 Proposed Instructional Bond page on the district website.

Please look for ways to get informed or reach out to me at 914-769-5500 or at pgiarrizzo@mtplcsd.org to speak or meet with me directly.

With best regards,

Dr. Peter Giarrizzo
Superintendent of Schools

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Hawthorne Elementary Overview (10/5/2023)

Dear Mount Pleasant Community,

Thank you for taking the time to review the materials we have prepared for you regarding the upcoming instructional bond in the amount of $35,957,772 scheduled for December 12. This bond is tax neutral, meaning that it will have no additional impact on resident taxes.

The first communication described the overall scope and the second detailed what specific projects would be undertaken in each building. The next three communications will include detailed descriptions of the specific projects at each of our three campuses.

At Hawthorne Elementary, we prioritize our plan around the following:

- The need for the creation of a secure entrance vestibule and additional safety and security measures

- Space in general is limited and there is a lack of flexibility in the existing floor plan

- The school lacks departmental/instructional spatial organization

- Student support spaces are small and limited

- 6 out of 7 Kindergarten Classrooms are undersized

- Music space, Library and STEM are undersized

- Bathrooms are antiquated bathrooms and require renovation

- Installation of air conditioning in one large space (gymnasium)

This document provides detailed information as well as architectural diagrams and renderings of the proposed new spaces. I encourage you to review the designs. The proposed enhancements will organize and ensure that our classrooms at Hawthorne Elementary School are updated and equipped to meet the needs of teaching and learning in practical and contemporary ways.

Please look for ways to get informed or reach out to me at 914-769-5500 or at pgiarrizzo@mtplcsd.org to speak or meet with me directly.

Go Wildcats, Go!!

With best regards,

Dr. Peter Giarrizzo
Superintendent of Schools

First page of the PDF file: HawthorneESInstructionalBondInformationBoard

Columbus Elementary Overview(10/13/2023)

Dear Mount Pleasant Community,

The first communication described the overall scope and the second detailed what specific projects would be undertaken in each building. Last week, we shared information about Hawthorne, the first of the communications detailing the specific projects at each of our three campuses.

This week we turn our focus to Columbus Elementary, where the plan prioritizes:

The need for the creation of a secure entrance vestibule and additional safety and security measures
The creation of small group instructional space and student support services spaces
The creation of a dedicated space for OT/PT and one additional Self-Contained special education classroom is needed
An expansion to create a new Performing Arts classroom and space for group collaboration to support an expanding performance music program
The creation of a new New STEM Lab and 3-classroom addition

This document provides detailed information as well as architectural diagrams and renderings of the proposed new spaces. I encourage you to review the designs. In keeping with our unified themes and approaches, the proposed enhancements at Columbus Elementary will organize and ensure that our classrooms are updated and equipped to meet the needs of teaching and learning in practical and contemporary ways.

Please look for ways to get informed or reach out to me at 914-769-5500 or at pgiarrizzo@mtplcsd.org to speak or meet with me directly.

Go Wildcats, Go!!

With best regards,

Dr. Peter Giarrizzo
Superintendent of Schools

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Westlake Campus Overview (10/20/2023)

Dear Mount Pleasant Community,

Today's instructional bond communication focuses on the exciting improvements proposed for the Westlake Middle and High Schools. On December 12, the community will be asked to vote on the $35,957,772 bond which is tax neutral, meaning that it will have no additional impact on resident taxes.

This week we turn our focus to the Westlake Campus, where the plan prioritizes:

Secure entrance vestibules as well as security cameras and devices at both Westlake High School and Westlake Middle School
Renovations to all Middle School and High School science labs
High School Cafeteria addition to make room for a new Makerspace/Innovation Lab
John S. Whearty Theater gut renovation including lighting, rigging, and acoustical improvements
High School Studio Art Classroom renovation
Library renovation to create a flexible modern media center to research, create, learn and innovate
Ventilation upgrades as well as air conditioning to both gymnasiums
Middle School Locker Room renovation
High School cafeteria and kitchen renovations

This document provides detailed information as well as architectural diagrams and select renderings of the proposed new spaces. I encourage you to review the designs. In keeping with our unified themes and approaches, the proposed enhancements at Westlake will organize and ensure that our classrooms are updated and equipped to meet the needs of teaching and learning in practical and contemporary ways.

Our prior communications:

Please look for ways to get informed or reach out to me at 914-769-5500 or at pgiarrizzo@mtplcsd.org to speak or meet with me directly.

Go Wildcats, Go!!

With best regards,

Dr. Peter Giarrizzo
Superintendent of Schools

First page of the PDF file: WestlakeCampusBondInformationBoard

By the Numbers (10/26/2023)

Dear Mount Pleasant Community,

Today's instructional bond communication is a “By the Numbers” look at the proposed Instructional Bond scheduled for December 12, 2023.

In Mount Pleasant, we recognize that as strong as our academic programs already are, we are limited by our current physical spaces.The proposed bond in the amount of $35,957,772 will have no additional impact on resident taxes. All payments to be funded by retiring debt. Over time, the District will receive $17,308,553 in State Aid to offset the total cost associated with the proposed project.

Our prior communications:

Please look for ways to get informed or reach out to me at 914-769-5500 or at pgiarrizzo@mtplcsd.org to speak or meet with me directly.

Go Wildcats, Go!!

With best regards,

Dr. Peter Giarrizzo
Superintendent of Schools

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The Bond Postcard (11/2/2023)

Bond Newsletter

Presentations and Videos

Bond Discussion at BOE Meeting 9/20/2023

Bond Discussion at BOE Meeting 11/15/2023

Game Changer with Dr. G: A Video Series Discussing the Instructional Bond

Fine, Performing, and Visual Arts

Presentations and Videos

Bond Presentation (Fiscal Advisors)

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Bond Presentation (Architects)

Voter Information

Voting & Registration

Any resident of the School District who is registered to vote in general elections is qualified to vote at said meeting without having their name placed upon the School District register of voters provided they voted at a general election at least once within the last four calendar years. Further, provided that any person who has previously registered to vote in any annual School District meeting or election or special School District meeting or election and who has voted at an annual School District meeting or election or special School District meeting or election held during the past four years (2023, 2022, 2021, 2020) shall not be required to re-register. The Board of Education has also provided for registration of qualified voters at the District Office, Westlake Drive, Thornwood, New York, between the hours of 9:00 AM and 3:00 PM on any regular school day through December 7, 2023.

Please note that if you are registered to vote in Westchester County but have since moved to the Mount Pleasant Central School District, you must be registered with the County at your Mount Pleasant address to be eligible to vote:

Download the Voter Registration form and return the completed application to the Westchester County Board of Elections

Who Can Vote

Any resident of the School District who is registered to vote in general elections is qualified to vote at said meeting without having their name placed upon the School District register of voters provided they voted at a general election at least once within the last four calendar years. Further, provided that any person who has previously registered to vote in any annual School District meeting or election or special School District meeting or election and who has voted at an annual School District meeting or election or special School District meeting or election held during the past four years (2023, 2022, 2021, 2020) shall not be required to re-register. For more information please contact District Clerk: Mary Beth Mancuso at mmancuso@mtplcsd.org.

Absentee Ballots

Absentee Ballot Applications cannot be received more than 30 days before the vote.

If you are registered to vote and will not be in Westchester County on December 12, 2023, you may be eligible to apply for an absentee ballot.

To receive an absentee ballot, an application first must be completed. An application can be requested from the District Clerk or downloaded below. The absentee ballot application must be completed and returned to the District Clerk either in person or by U.S. Mail prior to receiving the actual absentee ballot. If the ballot is to be mailed, the application must be received seven (7) days before the vote. If the ballot is to be picked up, the application must be received one (1) day before the vote. The District Clerk must receive the completed absentee ballot by 5:00 pm on December 12, 2023.

Absentee Ballot Application English

Absentee Ballot Application Spanish