Scarsdale Board of Education

Next steps for Leah Dembitzer: Scarsdale Board of Education

PT Council President, SMS PTA President and League of Women Voters President are just a few of the volunteer roles Leah Dembitzer has held during her 15 years in Scarsdale. Now, she has her sights set on the school board and has been appointed to the school board by the school board nominating committee. With the election looming on Tuesday, May 21, Dembitzer answered several questions about why she wants to serve and what she hopes to do as a member of the board.

Why did you run for school board?

I decided to run because I love Scarsdale schools. The school is at the heart of our community and my children have grown, been inspired, challenged and supported throughout their years at the school. I have been volunteering in the school community since my high school juniors were attending kindergarten at Quaker Ridge. As parents, we see that there are many complex issues that affect and impact our children. I look forward to preserving and enhancing the student experience and supporting our school community as we continue to evolve and move forward during this difficult and important time.

What do you think are the important issues facing Scarsdale Public Schools today?

That's a great question. There are so many complex issues happening in the world around us. For Scarsdale, this year's budget process made me realize that future budget planning is essential. As Dr. Patrick's Strategic Plan is rolled out later this spring, we believe that much will be proposed and discussed, but in the process of identifying and promoting common goals and values, communication with the community and a focus on collaboration is essential work. . School buildings themselves also require care, maintenance, and innovation. Bonds may be issued that may include required capital projects. Thoughtful planning for the construction and strategic maintenance of our core programs. Pay attention to students' mental health and wellness. Supporting the growth and development of the whole child through continuous opportunities for enrichment and exploration. In our complex world, so many things are about to change, including technological innovation, artificial intelligence, the impact of social media on children, creating space for civil debate, and the impact of climate change on local communities. It's happening super fast. These are all important issues facing Scarsdale schools.

How does past volunteer work qualify me for board membership?

When I moved to Scarsdale 15 years ago, I never expected to find so much joy and enlightenment in the volunteer world. Our community is very special in its level of volunteer engagement, professionalism and expertise. We have an incredibly talented, diverse, and creative community. I really enjoyed getting to know many people through various volunteer experiences. I have served as Quaker Ridge PTA President, Scarsdale Middle School PTA President, and my term as PT Council President is coming to an end. I chaired the school budget portfolio for the Scarsdale League of Women Voters and also served as president of the Scarsdale League of Women Voters. I chaired the Young Writers Workshop and currently co-chair the Westchester League of Women Voters' wonderful program called “Running and Winning.” I also serve on the board of the Westchester Reform Temple and have done a lot of volunteer work there as well. I am really enjoying learning about the school and being part of the energy and commitment to moving our school community forward during this complex time. I have gained a lot of experience on district level committees through my work with her PTA and PTC. Some of my volunteer roles have focused on community and youth engagement, advocacy, civics education, and creating spaces to reflect student voices.

At this point in my volunteer career, I am knowledgeable and experienced in school-related issues and understand the importance of engaging with the entire community. If elected, I will listen, learn, ask questions, demonstrate strong collaboration and consensus-building skills, and emphasize thoughtful decision-making in my board work.

What do you hope to achieve if elected as a member of the Bank of England? Or perhaps why did you want to become a member of the BoE?

I believe one of the board's important roles is to foster connections between the community and government. Create space for input, feedback, and clear communication. I would like to continue to develop and strengthen the community engagement aspect. I also look forward to using my experience and skills to support our district's efforts to educate and empower students to meet the challenges of our complex world. This means being a critical thinker, a thoughtful collaborator, and a confident leader.