Candidate for
Member, Board of Education; Byram Hills Central School District

This year I am seeking my sixth term on the Byram Hills Board of Education, and I do so with the same resolute commitment to Byram Hills and public education that I have had since my first term in 1990. My family has resided in the school district for 23 years, and my two children are Byram Hills graduates (2002 and 2003). Our community's children and we benefit from living in an outstanding and highly and widely respected school district that is a learning community brimming with enthusiasm, support, and collaboration. I am proud to have been an important contributor to most of the new programs and innovations which, over the last 18 years, have enabled us to continuously improve our teaching and learning experiences.

I have a strong record of leadership and consensus-building, and this has resulted in positive changes in the academic and instructional needs of our students. In addition, I have worked tirelessly for the community's support for our athletic, classroom and core facilities expansion programs. The most recent project, budgeted at $47MM, was completed in the fall of 2006, $1.5MM under budget and ahead of schedule. Moving forward, we must continue to meet the needs of all our children, from those requiring special services or academic intervention to those seeking advanced studies; build upon our excellent athletic programs; introduce and expand course offerings at all levels; and provide the resources to build an exemplary staff development program.

I encourage active community participation in our schools. I represent the school board in county-wide cooperation as the secretary/treasurer of the Westchester-Putnam School Boards Association where I have been an active advocate for changes in state laws and mandates that are out-of-date with today's educational environment, and to support legislation that favors public education. I will continue to work with other school boards to influence federal and state policies and the way our elected officials meet the financial and operational needs of local school districts. Also, I am proud to be a founding member of the Byram Hills Education Foundation and I currently serve as its secretary.