How much screen time belongs in the youngest students’ school day, and who should set the limits? Croton-Harmon trustees pressed those questions at their March 12 meeting as the district continued shifting devices toward use at school. The discussion exposed different priorities: reducing screen use, giving teachers more hands-on tools and establishing a clear framework for classroom technology decisions. The board also approved a resolution asking New York State for authority to create health-insurance reserves and established two scholarships. Vice President Anamika Bhatnagar presided, with six trustees present and President Ana Teague absent.

Classroom technology and screen time

Dr. Ellen Moskowitz, Director of Technology & Innovation, presented the proposed 2026-2027 technology budget. The discussion included the district’s continuing shift toward in-school devices. The technology vision emphasizes goals including active and intentional learning, enhanced network security and data privacy, and targeted professional learning. Several board members weighed in on the technology changes. Trustee Theo Oshiro welcomed the shift toward leaving devices at school and urged the district to consider technology’s environmental impact. Oshiro described a change he had seen at home: “she pulled out some tactile toys the other day.”Read 34:12▶ Trustee Allison Samuels said she would like to see as much reduction as possible in screen use, particularly in K-2, and wanted to explore whether teachers need more support with learning tools that do not use technology. Samuels put her preference plainly: “I would like to see as much reduction as possible of the use of of screens or iPads in the K through two particularly.”Read 44:51▶ Trustee Omar Mayyasi called for board discussion of the administration’s decision framework and guardrails for classroom technology use. “It would be helpful to have from the administration a decision framework that talks through the rationale around instruction technology,”Read 43:08▶ Mayyasi said. Trustee Neal Haber said policies and procedures need flexibility to respond to rapid technological change. Haber explained: “because technology is changing so rapidly, it is imperative that whatever policies, protocols, procedures that we establish as a board or as an administration have the flexibility to deal with those changes.”Read 37:59▶

Health-insurance reserve advocacy

The board approved a resolution advocating for universal health insurance reserve fund authorization from New York State. Assistant Superintendent for Business Denise Harrington-Cohen said health care represented more than 10% of the district budget and that the requested authorization would help districts manage rising insurance costs through reserves. “this would enable school districts to establish a health insurance reserve fund to cover the rising costs of health insurance, district paid health insurance,”Read 156:24▶ Harrington-Cohen explained. Harrington-Cohen said the proposal would have no cost to Albany and would give districts another way to manage cost increases. She said about 10 area districts had taken or planned to take the resolution to their boards. Trustee Sarah Carrier relayed another self-insured district’s experience that a reserve helped provide stability and long-term planning. Harrington-Cohen described Croton-Harmon’s health-insurance consortium as similar to self-insurance but lacking access to that reserve authority.

Student recognition and scholarships

The meeting opened with recognition of Ezra Katz as the PNW BOCES Student of Distinction, an honor presented by PNW BOCES Superintendent Neil Boyle. Board Trustee Neal Haber described the award as an important, meaningful honor. Haber called it a “very important, meaningful honor being bestowed on Ezra.”Read 3:23▶ Walden Principal Kathryn White praised Ezra’s character and progress. The board established two new scholarships for graduating seniors. The Laura Martinez Legacy Scholarship will support first or second-generation college students who demonstrate leadership and academic achievement. The Croton River Artisans Gallery Scholarship will benefit students pursuing art as a college major or AP Art students at Croton-Harmon High School. Board Vice President Anamika Bhatnagar elaborated on the Croton River Artisans Gallery. Trustee Neal Haber recalled visiting an exhibition of local artists at the Croton Free Library and welcomed the scholarship as a connection between the community’s artists and students.

Community concerns and budget presentations

During public comment, resident Ben Faber said athletics notifications made other ParentSquare messages difficult to find and requested consolidated notices. Don Laird questioned why individual devices were required for curriculum delivery through second grade, citing an earlier conversation with the superintendent. Christine Drago, Director of Health, Wellness, Physical Education & Athletics, presented the athletics budget focusing on building stronger programs and facility upgrades. The budget includes continued emphasis on physical education electives and athletics highlights from the current year.

Donations and personnel actions

The board accepted numerous donations totaling over $13,500, including $4,000 from Cheryl Shulman and the Richard Albert Family Foundation for two Richard Albert scholarships, $1,000 from John Martinez and Gabriela Martinez-Amezaga for the newly established Laura Martinez Legacy Scholarship, $1,000 from the CHHS Foundation for two alumni association scholarships, and $6,260 from the Croton-Harmon Education Foundation (CHEF) for math mats at Carrie E. Tompkins Elementary School. Superintendent Stephen Walker said the CHEF grant would support hands-on, movement-based math learning. Walker described the excitement around “getting a chance to move as you learn your multiplication, division.”Read 171:05▶ Additional donations included $300 from Kathleen Geradi for the Michael J. Geradi Baseball Award, $100 from Susan Aguado for the Steven "Iggy" Aguado Scholarship Fund, $200 from Suzanne and Neal Haber for the Gene Perl Memorial Award, $1,000 from the American Legion for two scholarships, and two violins from Megan Salt-Sistarenik. Neal Haber abstained from the vote on the Gene Perl Memorial Award donation, explaining the award was established in 2017 in memory of Gene Perl, a longtime board member and CHUFSD messenger. While the program it was originally tied to no longer exists, the award honors students who have persevered. The board also approved summer program appointments at Pierre Van Cortlandt Middle School, including various camps from Innovation and Creative Writing to Orchestra and "Into the Outdoors" programs running from July through August. Multiple coaching position changes were approved, including new appointments and stipend adjustments.

Committee reports and next steps

Committee chairs provided updates on various initiatives. The Communications Committee discussed UPK coverage, Board of Education website updates, and an upcoming community survey. The Policy Committee is preparing policies for first reading at the April meeting, including work on AI policy. Bhatnagar announced Jodi Rieger’s appointment as a parent member of the Committee on Special Education and said the role would provide a trained partner for families in CSE meetings. She also described the student art exhibition “A Women’s View” at the Black Cow as well attended and multigenerational. The student ex-officio trustee was absent. The board approved participation in Southern Westchester BOCES cooperative bidding for the 2026-2027 school year across 14 categories including art supplies, cafeteria equipment, and custodial supplies. The next board meeting is scheduled for March 26, 2026, a work session focused on the 2026-2027 budget.