School Board elections and budget vote

Monroe-Woodbury school ballot Central Valley - Polls will be open at Central Valley Elementary School on Route 32 (across from Woodbury Common Premium Outlets) from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Tuesady, May 17, for voters in the Monroe-Woodbury School District. There are three issues at hand: School budget A $149,079,423 budget for the 2011-12 school year that increases the tax levy by 2.8 percent while holding costs to less than one percent. Buses A second proposition to purchase 10 new school buses at the cost of $977,500. The state will reimburse the district 59 percent of the cost. School Board Elect three people to the nine-member school board for three-year terms each. There are five candidates. Their biographies and candidate statements appear on this page and next in alphabetical order. Contingency Should voters reject the proposed budget, school officials estimate the contingency budget will total $148.5 million. Under contingency spending, equipment ($268,395) and captal projects ($300,000) would be eliminated. The tax levy would then be 2.26 percent. In addition, the district will be required by law to charge fees for the public use of all school buildings and grounds. Online To find out more about the proposed budget, visit the district’s Web site at www.mw.k12.ny.us. Eleni Carter Biographical information: Eleni Carter, along with her husband and child, has been a resident of the District for 8 years. She is currently a doctoral candidate of Organizational Behavior and has earned a Masters in Business Administration and a Masters in Management from the City University of New York. She received a B.A. in Psychology from New York University. She is a management advisor to members of the senior executive teams of some of the leading U.S. organizations. Eleni was part of the adjunct faculty at the Culinary Institute of America, at the Stern School of Business at New York University and the Zicklin School of Business at Baruch College. Prior to that she held various positions at the publishing company John Wiley and Sons, Inc. Why are you seeking a seat on the school board? I have served on the Monroe-Woodbury Board of Education for the past three years. I have chaired the Community Relations Committee for two years. During this time, we enhanced communication with the community by ensuring transparency on issues pertaining to the school district. I am currently the chairperson of the Audit Committee, during which time we have advised the Board on issues relating to the District’s operating budget and financial balance sheet. I am running for re-election to continue the openness in governance and the fiscal and educational progress we have made in the past three years. Describe a well-educated student: The definition of a well-educated student changes with every generation. The traditional definition centers on what a person knows, but what I believe is more important is knowing how to be a 21 century thinker. A well-rounded education exposes the student to a wide variety of topics. I believe content mastery in core subjects such as Language Arts, Mathematics, Science, Geography and History provides a sense of language, space, time and place. In addition, an education that also encompasses Music, Art and Health Literacy/Physical Education allows for the expression of ideas and creativity in ways other than words or numbers. A well-educated student is motivated, competent, innovative, open-minded, technologically savvy, and a problem solver. Candidate statement: The world is moving very rapidly to a global community and economy, and our children will enter a work environment that will be challenging and daunting. Three years ago, I made a commitment to the children and taxpayers of Monroe Woodbury to advocate for a well-rounded, quality education that would properly prepare our students for the future, without the unreasonable tax burdens placed on our community in prior years. Through re-prioritizing and re-focusing how our district funds are allocated and spent, we have been moving the district forward with dramatic budget-to-budget decreases while preserving the educational quality for our children. Together, and with your support, Wayne Chan, Jennifer Trumper and I can continue to spend our tax dollars responsibly while ensuring that the caliber of our children’s education remains a top priority. Wayne Chan Biographical information: Wayne Chan has been a resident of Monroe for 22 years, along with his wife and three children. Two of his children are graduates of, and one is currently attending, the MW School District. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Computers from St. John’s University. He is a member of the Monroe Woodbury School Board, a Monroe Village Trustee and an Executive Board member of the Monroe Volunteer Ambulance. He also volunteers with the National Ski Patrol and NYS EMS. Why are you seeking a seat on the school board? To continue to raise the quality of education and keep taxes to a minimum. Describe a well-educated student: A well-educated student should not only be the culmination of high test scores and grades. We must go deeper; they need to possess the following qualities: 1. Open-mindedness and the ability to understand and learn from opposing views. 2. The ability to explain a topic at any and all levels, whether it’s to someone who possesses little knowledge of a topic or to someone who has in-depth knowledge. 3. An appreciation and knowledge of all subjects. 4. Knowledge of their surrounding environment on both a personal and current event level. 5. The ability to analyze a subject and come to their own conclusion. 6. The ability to apply the knowledge they have learned to the real world . 7. The ability to admit when they are wrong. 8. An understanding that there is more than one way to accomplish a goal. 9. The ability to hold an intelligent conversation. 10.The ability to embrace new things. 11.The ability to utilize technology. Candidate statement: Some of our neighboring districts have experienced higher tax rates and teacher layoffs. The Board saw this coming three years ago and has prepared our district for a gentle landing. Students of our current graduating class have been accepted into Harvard, Brown University and Cooper Union. These are some of the best colleges in our nation. We are by no means perfect; we will continue to strive for what is best for our children. If you enjoyed lower taxes for the last three years and a quality education for your children, vote for Carter, Chan and Trumper. John MacDonald Biographical information: In 2003, I finished a doctoral degree in educational leadership at Columbia University, writing a dissertation on New York State curriculum policies and teachers’ practice. Afterwards, I taught three semesters of online graduate courses for the Kaplan Company. For more than thirty years, I was a history/social studies teacher in Highland Falls. During much of that time, I coached tennis and cross-country. After 1984, I played an important role in school improvement and district restructuring, and also ran the high school’s enrichment programs. The National Endowment for the Humanities selected me for seminars to study in Georgetown University (Summer, 1984) and in Chambery, France (Summer, 1995). I was also part of a group sponsored by New York State to explore schools, history, and current problems in Germany (Summer, 1993). I have a bachelor’s degree in history from Princeton University and a masters of arts in teaching degree from Oberlin College in Ohio. My parents, my two sisters, and I arrived in Monroe in 1955. I graduated from Monroe-Woodbury in the 1960’s with an education that included strong academics. I played football and tennis for four years and even ran track for one. Our three children (Melinda, Josh, and Sarah) went through Monroe-Woodbury and participated in interscholastic sports and music. My wife (Ronnee) and I are looking ahead to our grandson and granddaughter continuing the family tradition of a Monroe-Woodbury education. Why I’m seeking a seat on the school board: With my background, it is not surprising that I want to add my voice to improving education in the district where I’ve lived for more than 50 years. I’ve prepared for this election by observing our school board meetings, by talking to district voters, by using the Internet to compare our district with similar districts throughout the state, and by reading some of the latest books on educational practice, including such writers as Diane Ravitch, Tony Wagner and Linda Darling-Hammond. Describe a well-educated student: Perhaps it’s old-fashioned, but I always liked Aristotle’s sense of a well-educated person as someone who was developed intellectually, morally, aesthetically, and physically and who is able to utilize all of these abilities along the lines of excellence. Candidate statement I believe there is a simple difference between Marilyn Prestia and me and the three incumbents we’re running against. The two of us are trying to bring more varied points of view to board discussions, whereas the incumbents want less of that. As I observed board meetings, I came to see that the district would be better off today, if there had been more differing viewpoints and constructive criticism last year. Here are a few examples: We might not have to have two years without leadership and expertise in curriculum and instruction; We might have created and achieved some significant academic goals; We might have saved $100,000 or more on test review software by a careful evaluation of the package; Voters, and not the board president, would decide board member Ray Rivera’s replacement. Currently the district is coasting on non-budgetary issues and we know that coasting only takes you downhill. We need board members who are willing to put the district in gear for a change. Marilyn (Lyn) Prestia Biographical Information: My husband Ron and I have lived in Highland Mills for 16 years and we have twins, Michael and Elizabeth who will be entering the Monroe-Woodbury Middle School in September. My husband is a Sergeant in the New York City Police department. My mother, Marilyn Martin, is retired from the Monroe-Woodbury CSD after 25 years and father, Gene Martin, is a retired teacher in the Valley Central CSD after 33 years. I served as Co-President of the Orange County Parents of Multiples and Chairperson of the Monroe-Woodbury Babysitting Co-Operative. I have volunteered with Music Boosters, Central Valley Drama Club, Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts, and anyone else that needed a hand. Saturday, May 7, we participated in Woodbury Clean up and a Boy Scout Eagle Project at a Harriman church. My previous experience includes management of Federal Tax Credit Programs with the Marriott Corporation and operational and financial management of K-12 School Districts with Aramark Services. I received the award of “Director of the Year” with Aramark Services, northeastern division, based upon “Vision, Sales, Program Growth and Exceeding Challenges.” Currently, I am the Director of Food Services for the Pine Bush Central School District which involves total responsibility for the K -12 School District Food Service Department. The responsibilities include compliance with District, State, and Federal regulations and requirements, operational budget controls, analyses of financial and operating statements, establishing and maintaining internal controls, supervision and assuring equal employment opportunities in the hiring of department personnel. Being a member of the Hudson Valley Food Service Directors Group keeps up to the minute information flowing. In 2010, I started a meal program in Circleville, (Pine Bush CSD), providing free breakfasts and free lunches to all children daily for the summer, which will continue through 2014, at zero cost to the District. Why are you seeking a seat on the school board? Concern: District objectives for 2010-2011 listed on the Web site. Just four lines. Suggestion: We need to establish and publish measurable objectives, action plans, or strategies. Include person/persons responsible and timetable. Present quarterly to the public the progress/status of these District Objectives. Concern: There is a severe lack of information communicated to the public. Suggestion: Frequent departmental, educational and financial reports presented publicly at the Board Meetings with public handouts of the information. Board meetings should be recorded and made available as a link on the Monroe-Woodbury District Web site to keep the community informed. Concern: There appears to be little desire to develop a partnership with the community. Suggestion: Revise the Bylaw dated April 5, 2006 and allow public comments to be presented during the board meeting, not only prior to the start of the board meeting, as is the current procedure. The community should be part of the process, be shown their return on outlay and be confident that all programs are effectively prioritized and that no dollars are wasted. Describe a well-educated student: A well-educated student is a student that has achieved their individual best, has high expectations, has become responsible and productive, and embraces lifelong learning in a positive environment. Candidate statement I will go to each meeting with two goals: To act in our District’s best interest and be an independent voice. This is my only focus. My business experience gives me a unique perspective I can bring to the table. I am a part of the Pine Bush District Administrative team that meets frequently and works hard to function together in the face of difficult educational and financial situations. I have seen and understand how each budget cut, or policy change can impact the students, parents, taxpayers, and staff. I believe in a team approach and respect diverse points of view. I believe that every board member should bring a different prospective to the table and that by sharing those different ideas and backgrounds with the public, Monroe-Woodbury will be a better place for its school community. I also support John MacDonald for the Monroe-Woodbury Board of Education. John has a Doctorate in Education from Columbia University and 30 years of innovative teaching. John is a professional who is competent in identifying and solving complex educational issues. Jennifer Trumper Biographical information: Jennifer Trumper attended the State University of New York at Binghamton where she received her Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Management and Information Systems. She is an honors graduate of the Monroe Woodbury School District. Jennifer has had more than 10 years of experience within the technology industry. Jennifer has held a management position at United Parcel Service in Mahwah, New Jersey. Mrs. Trumper and her husband have two children that attend school in the district. Why are you seeking a seat on the school board? I have served on the Monroe-Woodbury Board of Education for the past three years and have also chaired the Policy committee for three years, where we have developed sound guidelines under which our district operates. During my tenure on the M-W Board of Education, the district has implemented a zero based budgeting methodology and achieved the lowest tax levy in more than 20 years. I have supported a fiscally conservative approach to budgeting, while focusing on student success. I am seeking re-election because as a parent and former Monroe-Woodbury graduate, I am deeply committed to this community and would like to continue the work that this Board has achieved in the last three years. Describe a well-educated student? A well educated student is one with the following learning foundation and the school district should provide the tools to achieve these skills: 1. A mastery of the core subjects which include language arts, world languages, mathematics, science, geography, history, government and civics as well as music and art education. 2. The student should have a global awareness, financial and business literacy as well as civic and health literacy. 3. The student should master learning skills such as creativity and innovation and communication and collaboration skills, as well as critical thinking and problem solving skills. Mastery should also be achieved in technological skills such as information literacy and communications technology. 4. Lastly, students should also develop life and career skills such as flexibility, self direction, social and cross cultural skills, a sense of accountability and responsibility, as well as leadership skills. Candidate statement As a school board member for the Monroe-Woodbury School District, it is my goal to ensure that all children are given the opportunity to learn. I believe that in today’s competitive global economy we need to prepare our children to become productive members of society and to do this we need to equip them and their teachers with the necessary resources. At the same time, we need to be responsible to the taxpaying citizens of our community and achieve these objectives through sound fiscal policy. I, along with Eleni Carter and Wayne Chan, will make sure that every dollar spent is done wisely and with purpose.