Sklarin asks for public input on future of elementary school

By JEFF MORRIS

Lewisboro Town Board member, Richard Sklarin, spoke during the public comment period at the Katonah-Lewisboro school board’s March 27 meeting, putting forth a proposal regarding the future of the former Lewisboro Elementary School property on Bouton Road, South Salem.

Introducing himself as a “27-year Goldens Bridge resident, more than two decade town volunteer and current town board member since 2021,” Sklarin said he wanted to invite members of the board and administration, committee members, “or an appropriate combination thereof,” to meet with the Lewisboro Town Board in a public setting, “to discuss the potential future and mutually beneficial opportunities which can arise from KLSD’s recent decision not to renew the town’s long standing lease of the property on Bouton Road formerly housing LES.”

Sklarin noted the town has leased the property to house the town police, court, various departments, and the gym, where it has parks and recreation programming. “We have to figure out as a community where these important town facilities and operations will go for the next generation and beyond,” he said.

Saying that he believed there was “an incredible opportunity here for KLSD and the town of Lewisboro to engage in an open and transparent dialogue with Lewisboro about what can come next at this site,” Sklarin stated his personal belief that “working together as partners on behalf of the residents and taxpayers” a brand-new, state-of-the-art facility could be developed on the site. He envisioned a “centrally located town campus, with a new court, new police facility, and community center for the entire community to use and enjoy, with a corresponding long-term economic benefit” for KLSD.

Sklarin added, “If it turns out that such a redevelopment plan or opportunity or something similar for the former LES site is not possible, then at the very least we can work together collaboratively on the town’s exit strategy from LES in a well-timed, well-planned and well-executed way, so the town has sufficient time to plan, and decide how we best move forward in a most seamless and fiscally responsible way as possible for all.”

Asked by The Recorder whether he was speaking as a private citizen or as a town board member, Sklarin said he was speaking as both. He said the town board had not given him any specific authorization to speak, but he had talked with Supervisor Tony Gonçalves and at least one other board member ahead of time, and they had told him to “go ahead.”

Gonçalves later confirmed that Sklarin had called him “after 6 p.m. the night of the meeting to let me know he was going to the meeting as a private citizen.” He said he was told the topic would be LES and the district›s plans, but he had no input on the statement Sklarin made. Gonçalves added that the town government campus has been discussed in the past, “but only if the district would sell the property to the town.” He said that the district “wants to keep the property for their use only.” 

The Recorder was unable to locate any actual resolution by the KLSD board to not renew the town’s lease. Asked about this, Gonçalves replied, “There is no documentation. I have had multiple meetings between last fall and early this year to understand KLSD’s plan and how long we have for the various parts of the facility the town has access to. At a minimum we have until the end of the year but that may change depending on what their ultimate plans are for the existing facilities.” He said the town is currently working on options for relocating, but those options have not solidified. 

The KLSD board established a committee in early 2024 to make recommendations on the future of the former district office and Lewisboro Elementary School properties. That committee issued a report in June 2024 recommending demolition of the former district office, but was not able to arrive at a conclusion regarding LES by its June deadline, due largely to finding that any path forward, other than selling the land, would require a seven-digit expenditure. The board recharged it in June to deal exclusively with LES, tasking it with researching, engaging stakeholders and presenting specific, fiscally sustainable options regarding the future of the LES property, with the understanding that the board wishes to maintain ownership of the land. The committee was to present recommendations for the disposition of the buildings and the use of the land no later than October 2024. At its Oct. 24 meeting, the board voted to extend the committee’s charge to April 2025.