School District Reflects on Sandy Response

On Wednesday, at the Chappaqua school board's first regular meeting since Hurricane Sandy hit town, district officials looked back at their efforts and what to do in the future.

Superintendent Lyn McKay, whose proverbial stock has risen among some residents because of her regular updates during the crisis, started off her remarks in a familiar way.

“I feel as if I should start 'This is Lyn McKay,'" she said, referencing the beginning of her update robocalls during the aftermath.

McKay praised officials in both the school district and the community for their help, calling the response a “team effort.”

McKay also said, “I believe that we're really part of a very caring and very collaborative community.”

The challenge was unusual for the school district, as its powerless buildings were shuttered. Students missed more than a week of school as a result of the hurricane and bus routes still have not fully returned to normal.

The superintendent said that administrators in the district had a debriefing meeting this week, and areas for future improvement include getting personal email addresses of district officials in addition to their district versions, along with the phone number for the New Castle Department of Public Works. A lack of Internet access was cited as a reason cited for the communications issue.

McKay also took time to praise the town for its help.

School board members praised McKay, district employees and each other for their work and help.

Board President Victoria Tipp described McKay's robocalls as "a lifeline."

Board Vice President Alyson Kiesel said it was “very comforting to have communication from the district.”