Why I am Running for School Board

By Patricia "Pat" Low

This piece was written by me for inclusion in the blog, "Albany Today," edited by Linjun(Linda) Fan.

Now one of the most important things a school board member has to do is make sound, ethical, fiscally responsible decisions that benefit the greatest number of students, teachers and community members as possible. I have training and experience evaluating data, facilitating groups and conducting evaluations. My daily work requires me to summarize and process data and information quickly and efficiently. I understand school finance from my work on the Cornell PTA Board and School Site Council, as well as my professional experience. I am a voracious reader. I am equipped to make responsible decisions that benefit the community.

More than that, I have thought carefully about the context in which decisions about schools have to be made. What is our vision for Albany schools? What is our hope for the future of our children? Sound responsible decisions must be made in the context of such a vision. As a board, it is our responsibility to be visionary as well as practical. I have proven work experience showing that I can work as a team member to develop goals and accomplish tasks based upon these goals.

When I think of preparing Albany students for productive and joyful futures, I have many ideas. For one, we need to prepare students to live in an increasingly global and information based society. For another, while giving students an excellent education in the basic academic areas has certainly been a strength in Albany, we also need to recognize the increasing importance of multiple intelligences, including social and emotional intelligences and skills.

On a practical level, then, I am very interested in curriculum and instruction as they address the goals I have described in the previous paragraph. I also care deeply about the lives of children and their families in and out of school and recognize that quality daycare and enrichment are very important to Albany families. Particularly in our present economy, American middle class families are stretched thin with school and work and other activities and responsibilities. I am interested in addressing the academic, daycare and enrichment needs of students while recognizing that some long term planning may be in order as the district is short on space and facilities. But, again, this is where having a vision is important. We need to listen to all sectors of the Albany community to learn about and plan how best to support families of all kinds. If we do so, we could enhance our already good reputation as a community and school district that supports families and young people.