Natalie Brooks seeks re-election to M-W School Board

My name is Natalie Brooks and I am writing to announce my candidacy for the Monroe-Woodbury School District Board of Education.

As a graduate of Monroe-Woodbury I feel it is important to give back to the district that provided me with an outstanding education. My husband and I decided to raise our children in this district because of the exceptional teachers and educational excellence.

The board’s principal duty is to prepare our children for the future in this global economy. I am also committed to representing the hard-working taxpayers of our community especially in these tough economic times. I believe the record has demonstrated my ability to balance the needs of our children and your tax dollars.

During my three-year tenure on the board, I have chaired the community relations committee and served on the policy, audit and visitation committees. I have worked with my fellow board members, administrators, teachers and staff to remove approximately $23 million dollars from our budget, which has provided record low budget-to-budget increases. In addition, this budgeting process has resulted in the lowest tax levies in the history of the district with this year’s tax levy at 0.89 percent.

This is all while preserving programs, jobs, and the educational excellence that Monroe-Woodbury represents. These accomplishments have been made in a time of state and federal funding cuts along with a terrible recessionary economy which has affected all of us.

I am a graduate of the State University of New York at New Paltz with a bachelor of science and a master’s of science in secondary science education. My husband is a private business owner and I have been a teacher in the Washingtonville School district for 19 years. I understand the challenges you and our children are facing. I have also taught CCD and was a leader with the Girl Scouts.

I love this community and I am grateful for the opportunity you have given me to serve this district as a trustee for the Board of Education. I have worked hard to make sound decisions about what is best for the students within the framework that our tax dollars are used wisely. I thank the people of the Monroe-Woodbury school district for their consideration in allowing me to continue as a school board member. Please go out and vote on May 15 for Eleni Carter, John Otero and me, Natalie Brooks, so we can continue working for you.

Natalie Brooks Chester