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Who Could Make a Good School Board Member? You!
Dear Editor,
It has been a great honor as well as an incredible learning experience working as a Haldane volunteer these past seven years or so.
I began by serving on the Haldane School Foundation Board of Directors where I was quickly introduced to the kind of generous and innovative community we live in. At HSF I worked on projects designed to enhance and build upon the good work our Haldane faculty and administrators do each and every day for our students.
I then shifted my interest and efforts toward a much different group but still one working on behalf of our kids-the Haldane Board of Education. Next month will mark my third year serving on the BOE and though I have enjoyed the experience (well, almost all of it) the time has come to take a short break. I will not be running for another term in the May15th election.
The purpose of this letter is not to highlight some of the accomplishments the BOE has made in moving Haldane forward both academically and operationally. That would be unfair because there are so many people who participated in this process and deserve as much if not more credit. We have moved forward through collective decision-making based on consensus. These are aspects of sound management and more importantly "good government".
Haldane currently is in a good place to reach to the next level and be considered a "model small school". It is a goal we can reach in a short period of time but it's going to require some help and hard work. So frequently people ask me if I know individuals who would make good School Board members. The response is simple: there are hundreds of people in our community who could serve and serve well! It's just a question of saying "I'll give it a shot and do my best.". Yes, it is a lot of work but so is serving on any of the other community boards, whether it is the PTA or the Village Historical Review Board to name just two of the many that make this community so special.
Our lives are busy and overscheduled as it is but we also crave that opportunity to be part of something special. Serving your community on behalf of its' children is not just special, it can be extraordinary. It is an experience that can leave a footprint for generations to come. That's a powerful process you can participate in.
I urge the many qualified residents of Philipstown to (at the very least) think about running for the Board of Education come May15th. Nominating petitions can be picked up at the District Clerk's office at Haldane before Monday, April 16th at 5pm. If it is something you'd like to explore further I'd be happy to share my thoughts so please don't hesitate to call or e-mail me, 845- 809-5252,
jcurtojr@optonline.net .
The experience has made me a better person… it can for you, as well. Trust me!
Joe Curto Cold Spring
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