Forward in Excellence

MISSION

Somers Central School District will ignite a passion in each student by engaging students at a personal level to ensure success in a global society.

Table of Contents

4 A Message to Our Community

5 About the Report

6 About Somers Schools

ELEMENTS OF EXCELLENCE

21st Century Knowledge & Skills

Fiscal Stewardship

Family and Community Engagement

Next update May 2023

Global Citizenship

Next update June 2023

Social, Emotional & Physical Wellness

Next update October 2023

Professional Learning Communities

Next update September 2023

Insights Into Excellence

A Message to Our Community

The Somers Central School District is a community of lifelong learners full of purpose and drive to inspire, engage, and ignite a passion in our children. Our mission is to educate the whole child by equipping each with 21st century knowledge and skills, emphasizing social, emotional, and physical wellness, and modeling a spirit of global citizenship.

Educating our children to succeed in a global society takes the combined efforts of teachers, parents, students, staff, and community members. I am grateful for the dedication of all these stakeholders who work tirelessly towards this goal. It is thanks to this shared commitment that, together, we move Forward in Excellence

In partnership, Ray

SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS

Dr. Raymond H. Blanch

2022/23 About the Report

The annual Somers Central School District Forward in Excellence Report is a comprehensive overview of the accomplishments related to the mission of the Somers Central School District. The district uses the Elements of Excellence, clearly defined below, as the framework to guide decision-making to ensure the development of the Whole Child.

At different times during the year, the data and information about an individual Element will be presented to the community at Board of Education meetings. Some Elements were presented this year before the creation of this overall report. Links to those presentations are in the table of contents.

ELEMENTS OF EXCELLENCE

21st Century Knowledge & Skills

SCSD will ensure the intellectual growth and development of critical skills so that all learners can thrive in an ever-changing world.

Fiscal Stewardship

SCSD is committed to responsible financial planning and allocation of resources to ensure a safe learning environment where all students achieve excellence.

Family and Community Engagement

SCSD will strengthen and nurture connections across the Somers community through engagement, constructive partnerships, and the inclusion of all voices.

Global Citizenship

SCSD will nurture a sense of responsibility, belonging, and acceptance in all students and foster a respectful understanding of broader perspectives.

Social, Emotional & Physical Wellness

SCSD will advance social, emotional, and physical wellness in all learners to successfully navigate current and future experiences.

Professional Learning Communities

SCSD will cultivate a community of professional learners focused on advancing student success.

Insights Into Excellence

SCSD program review committees engage in data collection, review, and analysis to assess the effectiveness of programs based on identified goals.

FORWARD IN EXCELLENCE About Somers CSD

Somers is a suburban community located in Westchester County about 45 miles north of New York City. It is home to some of the finest schools in New York State. Our two campuses are the hub of activity in the town of Somers and foster collaboration between the school district and the community.

Our district is committed to the development of the whole child, encompassing three fundamental areas:

 21st Century Knowledge & Skills

 Social, Emotional, & Physical Wellness

 Global Citizenship

The programs and teaching methods are designed to meet the needs of each individual learner, focusing on the knowledge and skills necessary to solve problems, think critically and creatively, and work collaboratively and cooperatively with others.

4

Schools

2,804*

Students

537

Employees

SCSD Demographics

Somers Central School District is an increasingly diverse district. In the year 2021-2022, at least seven languages were spoken in district homes.

In the last 10 years, the number of students in the district identifying as non-white increased from 8% to 20%. By 2030, that number is projected to increase to 25%.

Building Enrollment

The number of students enrolled in Somers public schools has been decreasing since 2012, due to declining birth rates. At the elementary and middle schools, enrollment has reached the lowest projected level of 175-200 students per grade, where it is expected to remain. As those smaller classes progress through the high school, total enrollment at the high school will level out at approximately 800 students. As enrollment decreases, SCSD is reducing staffing through attrition.

Total Enrollment Over a 5-Year Period

ELEMENTS OF EXCELLENCE

21st Century Knowledge & Skills

SCSD will ensure the intellectual growth and development of critical skills so that all learners can thrive in an ever-changing world.

The Somers Central School District offers a curriculum that provides students with a voice in their learning and the best opportunities to demonstrate growth and achievement. The programs and teaching methods are designed to meet the needs of varied learners, focusing on the knowledge and skills necessary to solve problems, think critically and creatively, and work collaboratively and cooperatively with others.

ELEMENTARY EDUCATION

Primrose Elementary School Kindergarten - Grade 2

At Primrose Elementary School, “A Place of Great Beginnings,” students in pre-kindergarten through second grade focus on developing fundamental skills in reading, writing, and math. These building blocks are complemented by exposure to the arts and physical education, as well as social-emotional awareness.

The pyramid on the left shows the multi-tiered supports for students in kindergarten through grade two in 2021-22. The pie chart on the right demonstrates how effectively those supports are meeting the needs of students.

Internal Benchmark Assessment - Reading

Tiers of Support

Performance Levels

 Meeting Benchmark: At/Above 41st percentile

 Approaching Benchmark: 25th-40th percentile

 Below Benchmark: At/Below 24th percentile

Internal Benchmark Assessment - Math

Tiers of Support

Primrose - Performance Levels MATH

Performance Levels

Meeting Benchmark: At/Above 41st percentile

 Approaching Benchmark: 25th-40th percentile

 Below Benchmark: At/Below 24th percentile

ELEMENTARY EDUCATION

Somers Intermediate School

Grade 3 - Grade 5

Somers Intermediate School builds on the foundational skills learned at Primrose in all subject areas, including dedicated units in science and social studies. The most notable shift is from “learning to read” to “reading to learn.” In math, students move beyond basic number sense and operations into multi-step problem solving tasks. The academic experience is combined with the continued development of children’s social, emotional, and physical wellness, as well as exposure to visual and performing arts.

The pyramid on the left shows the multi-tiered supports for students in grades three through five in 2021-22. The pie chart on the right demonstrates how effectively those supports are meeting the needs of students.

Internal Benchmark Assessment - Reading

Tiers of Support

Performance Levels

Internal Benchmark Assessment - Math



Tiers of Support Performance Levels



1 out of 4

Somers Intermediate School New York State Testing Program

4th highest test refusal rate in Westchester County

AVERAGE REFUSAL RATE

SIS ELA Test Refusal Rate

1 out of 3

Somers CSD Compared with Putnam/Northern Westchester BOCES Districts

Inner black bar represents PNW BOCES average.

ELA: Grades 3-5

ELA: Grades 3-5

Math: Grades 3-5

Science: Grade 4

*No statewide testing in 2020 due to COVID-19

SIS Math Test Refusal Rate

SECONDARY EDUCATION

Somers Middle School Grade 6 - Grade 8

Somers Middle School is an accredited International Baccalaureate Middle Years Programme school. Students pursue advanced concepts in subjects through a framework of reflection, open-mindedness, and inquiry. The curriculum is designed to prepare students for a global society, the challenges of today, and the challenges of the future while making real world connections.

Somers Middle School has restructured it’s multi-tiered systems of support for students in grades six through eight to address the literacy needs that are demonstrated in the data below.

Internal Benchmark Assessment - Reading

Tiers of Support

Performance Levels

 Meeting Benchmark: At/Above 41st percentile

 Approaching Benchmark: 25th-40th percentile

 Below Benchmark: At/Below 24th percentile

Internal Benchmark Assessment - Math

Tiers of Support Performance Levels

 Meeting Benchmark: At/Above 41st percentile

 Approaching Benchmark: 25th-40th percentile

 Below Benchmark: At/Below 24th percentile

Somers Middle School

New York State Testing Program

4th highest test refusal rate in Westchester County

AVERAGE REFUSAL RATE

1 out of 4

1 out of 3

Somers CSD Compared with Putnam/Northern Westchester BOCES Districts

Inner black bar represents PNW BOCES average.

ELA: Grades 6-8

Math: Grades 6-8

Science: Grade 8

*No statewide testing in 2020 due to COVID-19

SMS Math Test Refusal Rate

SMS ELA Test Refusal Rate

SECONDARY EDUCATION

Somers High School

Grade 9 - Grade 12

Somers High School is an accredited International Baccalaureate School and offers the IB Diploma Programme for students. Students are ensured a rigorous college preparatory course of study, engaging in strong programs in art, music, technology, family and consumer science, special education, and occupational education. Approximately 90% of our graduates go on to post-secondary education.

95% 4-Year Graduation Rate

99% grad rate including students who complete high school in up to 6 years.

Post-Secondary Plans

80% 4 Year College

11% Career Ed Workforce Gap Year Military 9% 2 Year College

Class of 2022

9

National Merit Commended Students

7

NYSED Academic Excellence Award Winners

SHS Regents - State Testing Results

Inner black bar represents PNW BOCES average.

English Regents

Global History II Regents

*No statewide testing in 2020 due to COVID-19

History Regents

Global History II:

 A newly created Regents exam was administered in 2019

 There was no Regents exam in 2020*

 The Regents exam was optional in 2021 (no Somers students took the exam)

U.S. History:

 There was no Regents exam in 2020*

 The Regents exam was optional in 2021 (no Somers students took the exam)

 The Regents exam was canceled by the NY State Department of Education in 2022

*No statewide testing in 2020 due to COVID-19

SHS Regents - State Testing Results

Inner black bar represents PNW BOCES average.

SAT 5-Year Trends

*No test administered to this cohort in 12th grade. Data reflects only exams administered pre-COVID.

ACT 5-Year Trends

Many colleges and universities are no longer requiring SAT or ACT scores for admission.

Some classes are multi-year and multi-level offerings. Data from 2020-21 school year.

Advanced Course Offerings and Performance

Somers High School offers more AP and IB courses than any district in PNW BOCES.

35

AP/IB courses offered at SCSD

AP score of 3 or higher: #2 in all PNW BOCES districts

AP/IB Enrollment Increase over 5 Years

With increased enrollment in AP and IB college-level courses, student performance continues to remain strong.

AP/IB Change Over 5 Years

The 12 point jump from 2018-19 to 2022-23 in AP/IB enrollment can attributed to embedded honors courses, professional learning, guided course selection, and the academic and writing support centers.

(AP/IB classes are available to students in grades 10 through 12)

AP SCHOLAR AWARDS: CLASS OF 2022

Highest participation rate since AP first offered, highest # of exams taken.

AP Scholar

Granted to students who receive scores of 3 or higher on three or more AP Exams.

AP Scholar with Honor

Granted to students who receive an average score of at least 3.25 on all AP Exams taken, and scores of 3 or higher on four or more of these exams.

AP Scholar with Distinction

Granted to students who receive an average score of at least 3.5 on all AP Exams taken, and scores of 3 or higher on five or more of these exams.

In 2022, a record number of SHS students took AP classes and the end-of-year AP test scores were consistent with previous years.

IB Performance Score 4+

External IB exams were first given at SHS in 2018. In 2020 and 2021, exams were optional due to COVID-19. In 2022, external IB exams resumed. From 2018 to 2022, the percentage of students who received a 4+ on exams went from 50% to 80%.

In 2022, a record number of SHS students took IB classes. The external IB exam scores of 4+ in 2022 were 32 percentage-points higher than in 2018.

*In 2020 and 2021, external IB exams were optional due to COVID-19. Most Somers students did not take the exams.

ELEMENTS OF EXCELLENCE

Fiscal Stewardship

SCSD will ensure its commitment to responsible financial planning and allocation of resources to ensure a safe learning environment where all students achieve excellence.

The fiscal support provided by the Somers community to our schools and students is a commitment carried out over multiple generations. It is a promise made by the residents that the children of Somers will receive a stellar educational experience. More than 10,000 students have graduated from Somers, and the district is dedicated to maintaining and improving upon the 89-year tradition of excellence for generations to come. Salaries/Benefits

Expenditure Breakdown

4

190,000

We are a district built on people and relationships. Our most valuable assets are the teachers and employees who care for and support the children of Somers, so it is fitting that nearly 75% of the annual budget is allocated for salaries and benefits.

55

680,000

Buildings, 600k sq feet space Lunches served each year # acres of lawn/field

miles per year

Energy Performance Contract

An Energy Performance project was approved by a town vote in May of 2021 as part of the master capital plan for SCSD. After completing an energy audit of all buildings, Johnson Controls replaced and enhanced the district’s energy infrastructure, thereby reducing the district’s carbon footprint.

The estimated annual savings in energy costs and estimated building aid will pay for the installation of all the updated equipment with no fiscal impact on taxpayers.

$0

Primrose Elementary School boilers: (left) old boilers and (right) new boilers

Somers High School water heaters: (left) old water heaters and (right) new water heaters

Solar and Wind Powered Floodlight at SHS

Full-time Employees (FTE)

Since 2012, there has been a decline in student enrollment due to the decrease in birth rates in Somers; also a nationwide trend. With fewer students comes a reduction in faculty and staff, which the district continues to manage through attrition. For the 2023-24 school year, the district will save approximately $500,000 by not replacing employees who retired or left the district.

Reserve Accounts

The maintenance and upkeep of district facilities is largely funded through reserve accounts (savings accounts). Through this responsible savings plan, the district has avoided the need to bond for approximately $10.2 million, or $900,000 a year in tax increases.

$3.2 million Safety and Security Project

$7 million Athletic Facilities Upgrades

Universal Pre-Kindergarten

In 2021, a Universal Pre-Kindergarten (UPK) class of 18 was started at Primrose Elementary School. The following year, a second classroom was added, providing free preschool to a total of 42 Somers students.

In the fall of 2023, the district will add a third and fourth classroom, giving 84 families access to free UPK.

$13,000

Savings per Child

Saves families over $13,000 per child in preschool tuition.

100% Funded

100% funded with New York State funds.

Maximizes available space in Somers schools

Revenue Opportunities

The district is using declining enrollment to bring in extra revenue. Extra space in all four buildings is leased to education programs run by PNW BOCES, generating $145,000 in revenue each year.

$145,000 REVENUE

The expenditure per student in SCSD is commensurate with the amount spent per student in area districts. SCSD has met the goal of staying within plus or minus one standard deviation of the average spent on each student among all PNW BOCES districts. The standard deviation for PNW BOCES districts is $4175*.

*Last available NYSED data available.

$32,569 per student

Focused on Results Maximum Tax Levy Limit History

$33,418 per student

The district has stayed within the allowable tax cap since the cap's inception in 2012, and will continue to do so for the 2023-24 school year. In three out of the last five years, the district designed a budget that came in under the allowable tax cap, saving Somers taxpayers $2.6 million.

Taxpayers saved $2.6 million

PNW BOCES Districts SCSD

Responsible Planning

As part of our continuous efforts to maintain our physical spaces inside and outside of our buildings, we keep a Master Capital Plan. That plan is a detailed schedule, looking many years in advance, of projects that will keep the district in good shape, physically and fiscally, and is updated every five years.

In 2025, the district will be asking the community to vote on a new capital bond. This will be requested at the same time that a previous bond will be paid off, coming at no increased cost to taxpayers.

Safety and security measures

Paving, concrete, hardscape

Flexible spaces - for small and large group activities

Community spaces for students and adults to collaborate

Applied learning spaces - for active learning

Outdoor spaces

Environment – for more natural light in our schools

SCSD’s goal is to have no increase in property taxes for the bond the district anticipates requesting in May of 2025.

SCSD has been carefully saving money in a capital reserve fund and will ask the community for approval to access the $7 million dollars in May 2023. Using a reserve fund to pay for projects instead of taking out a bond saves taxpayers more than $2 million in interest payments.

Research shows that for each dollar invested in schools there is a $20 increase in home values.

Update learning spaces