Board waives facility fees for Victory First church after public request; commenters raise construction dust and privacy concerns

The Pleasantville Board of Education voted to waive facility fees for Victory First Presbyterian Deliverance Church’s fundraising event after a church representative asked the board to waive approximately $350 in board fees.

Tracy Howland, speaking for the church during the public‑comment period, said the event is a building fund fashion show featuring local talent and asked the board ‘‘that the fees... could be possibly waved.’’ The board approved the waiver after executive‑session review and returned to take action, with a roll‑call vote recorded as carried.

Public commenters also used the meeting to raise related community concerns. Kathy Watson, president of the parent association, told the board that ongoing stairwell construction left concrete dust in student‑circulation paths and said contractors were not cleaning up dust; she said the dust was ‘‘carcinogenic’’ and asked the district to ensure appropriate controls. Dr. Felicia Hyman Metley said she would speak to facilities leadership (Mr. Brock) about the concern.

Priscilla Noel asked the board to distinguish comments by district residents from those by nonresidents and raised program‑cut and club‑reduction concerns, and she urged caution about classroom‑management replacements (she declined ClassDojo, citing privacy and parental rights concerns). The board noted those concerns and indicated staff would follow up.

The waiver motion (agenda item 5.1) was moved and carried by roll call after the board reconvened following closed‑session discussion.