Candidate for
Member, Board of Education; Croton-Harmon Union Free School District

School and Civic Experience: Co-founder and President of Croton Harmon Special Education PTA (CH SEPTA) 2003-2008, serving children with special education needs from Pre-K through High School including those who attend school out of district. Developed parent information network, series of educational events for community such as a Mental Health Forum, A Community Perspective on Autism, and Special Education Back to School Night; Co-Producer, PVC Middle School Musical, Aladdin, 2009. presently CH SEPTA Middle School liaison. Girl Scouts Troop 1198 (10th graders). Cookie Chair from 2000-2006, backup/assistant leader since 2005. Member of Public Relations/Production Committee for Croton-Harmon Educational Foundation (CHEF)"Under the Stars" event 2006-2009. Parent Member, Croton-Harmon Committee on Special Education PTA since 2003. Attended 50+ meetings for families for children ranging from Pre-K through High School. Member of Alliance for Croton-Harmon Education, a task force formed to explore additional income for school district, 2007. Administrative Volunteer, Croton Cortlandt Center for the Arts, 2001-2003. Now volunteer consultant in Marketing, Public Relations and Volunteer Development at CCCArts as of April 2009 after a one-year stint as a paid staff member.

Age: 51

Family: David S. Cohen, husband, Senior Attorney for the New York State Judicial system. Alice Cohen, 10th grader in Croton Harmon High School. Jonathan Cohen, 6th grader, Pierre Van Cortlandt Middle School. Residency: We moved to Croton-on-Harmon from Windsor Terrace, Brooklyn, in August 1999, in large part because of the reputation of Croton's excellent schools. Education: Wellesley College, Wellesley, MA; B.A. in Art History. Some course work completed at New York University School of Continuing Education in Arts Management. Occupation: Background in communications, marketing, volunteer development and creative project management for non-profits. Experienced with advocacy and new media. Communications Manager and Director of National Art Programs and Holiday Cards for the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, 1989-2006. Produced special project website: http://www.faceofms.org. Assistant to the Director of the International Council, a group of elite art patrons at the Museum of Modern Art, 1985-1989. Presently work in Croton-on-Hudson: Day Care Worker for 3-5 year olds at Childrenspace and Office Manager for Anne Samojedny, PT and CranioSacral Therapist for adult and pediatric patients including those with learning disabilities. Why I believe I should serve as board member: I believe that my strong background in communications, marketing, volunteer development, advocacy and art programs for non-profits and experience with new media makes me a good fit for the present board.

I have a proven track record building and leveraging public advocacy. I am well versed in the kind of cost cutting, budget squeezing and transparency that non-profits -- and schools -- demand.

I have developed and administered many visual arts programs for both professional adult artists and for children. I have had first-hand experience of the profound role the arts can have in education--and life. The knowledge I have gleaned of our schools through my varied volunteer roles within the system from Pre-K through High School, and the relationships I've built with educators and administrators in all three buildings and the district office have given me a solid understanding of our children's school experience.

My long involvement with the special education population, including parents, pre-school and school-aged children, educators and administrators, seeking cost-effective and educationally appropriate solutions allows me to bring particular insight and understanding to the board as they make decisions about how best to serve this community and make sound judgments about resource allocations -- which when made wisely can often benefit all students. Special Education expenditures account for approximately 15% of this year's budget.

My work within the village has strengthened my connection to the greater Croton community. All members of the village are constituents of the school system whether they have children or not.

My nature as someone who is level-headed, respectful, a good listener, but also as someone who is not afraid to state or discuss an opinion or ask tough questions, suits me to this work. I enjoy being part of a team and am a fast learner.

My deep involvement with the education of my own two children and my belief that our nation's ultimate strength and well-being will be determined by the strength of our education system fuels the passion necessary for this position.