WHO IS BILL MCGUINN & WHY DOES HE DESERVE MY SUPPORT

By William J. McGuinn

Bill Mcguinn hears what the community is saying and he respects and accepts diverse opinions.

Hi All,

Please allow me to also introduce myself.

BIO- My name is William McGuinn and I am running for the Valhalla Board of Education. As a life-long resident I attended the Valhalla schools from kindergarten through senior year in 1972. My wife Lisa and I have three children. Codie, is a graduate of Valhalla high school and presently a junior at Penn State University. Our youngest daughter, Tori, now a senior at Valhalla, will be attending Cortland State in the fall where she will be playing basketball. Our little guy Brody, is a second grader at Virginia Road School. I tell all this as a way of explaining that I am in this thing for the long haul, and that over the years I have been able to develop a global viewpoint of what our school district's strengths and weaknesses are.

Myself personally, I administer a program at the White Plains Middle school where I have been employed now for 29 years. I hold a Bachelors Degree in education, a Masters Degree in Special Education, and an Advanced Degree in School District Administration.

WHY I AM RUNNING-

I am seeking a seat on the board because I feel that taxes must be reduced and that the only way to accomplish this is through reduced spending. Our board has begun to do so, but only on items that directly effect our children, instead of on items like consultants, sub-contractors, conferences, non-essential administration, etc. We need to examine pay freezes as an alternative to laying off personnel who have daily contact time with our children.

Our board does not hear us when we speak, and that is something that has to change. We need to give the public a voice in the governance of their schools. We need to respect the public's viewpoints, and give then adequate time and opportunity to express those views in an atmosphere that is comfortable and accepting of contrary opinions.

My involvement in the community goes beyond having served on the board of education. I am a coordinator and a coach in the Valhalla Jr. Vikings football program. I am also a coach in the Kensico Little League. I have been a supporter of the Valhalla Drama Club, the Valhalla Sports Boosters and have hosted foreign exchange students in my home for Valhalla International Fund. I have also been a member of all of our PTAs. In short I have been involved in our schools in numerous capacities for over 15 years now, and I still feel I could do more.

I have the knowledge and experience to represent you and our children, and to balance the fiscal needs of all. These are difficult financial times and we need to be extremely careful as to how we spend our too few dollars. Please lend me your support on May 19th and allow me to be your voice. Let's bring the tradition back, and let's do it together.

Respectfully I Am,

William J. McGuinn

You can contact me at cotor@optonline.net with any thoughts or ideas you would like to share. I look forward to hearing from you. Or visit our web-site at http://www.smartvoter.org