Parent Creates Web Forum for Garrison Schools

Garrison resident and Garrison School parent Gordon Stewart has had a varied career in politics, business, theater, music, and teaching. He spent seven years as vice president for public affairs at the American Stock Exchange. Before that he served as deputy chief speechwriter to President Carter. During the past school year he served on the district's budget advisory committee and has attended most board of education meetings. Recently Stewart launched a new website for Garrison School parents with the stated goal of encouraging residents to "better fulfill our hopes and responsibilities by enabling direct communication among all of us."

The PCN&R sat down with him recently to discuss gufshelp.org, the long-running teacher contract impasse, and other related issues

PCN&R: What moved you to create gufshelp.org?

GS: Since the Village of Garrison is not incorporated there is no formal legal means for public forum except the Garrison Union Free School District (GUFS) meetings. Of all the things we share, the school is more than a place where we educate our children. It is a representation of ourselves, our community, and our values. After eight months of attending school board meetings, I decided that the status quo was not a sufficient expression of our community in this regard. A website offers the technical means for direct communication.

PCN&R: What do you hope to achieve with the website?

GS: Central to the spirit of the site is that we are all affected, all involved, all worth hearing from, and all worth listening to. Whatever we think of one another's views . . . let us respect each other's intentions. The site won't take sides on any issue and will not censor comments. It is not a substitute for attendance at board or committee meetings, participation in the PTA, or direct communication with the board and school administration. It does not seek, in any way, to compete with or be an alternative to gufs.org, which is a vital and authoritative source for school information.

PCN&R: What are your shortterm goals?

GS: Many are frustrated over the two-year impasse in negotiating a new teacher contract. The inability of 35 people to resolve concrete issues necessary to agree upon a contract also frustrates. There seems to be a disconnect between the teachers and their union leadership. The union has misread Garrison as a community of rich people who don't want to pay taxes. They don't see the homes for sale on Travis Corners Road. The union also seems unaware of the economic changes that have occurred since negotiations began in 2007. Why are the union leaders afraid to appear at meetings and ashamed to tell residents what the issues are?

PCN&R: There are always two sides to an issue. What part does the board play?

GS: The board is too reactive and the citizens want a proactive approach. Why is the board so defensive? Each member is elected individually to make an individual contribution, but board response is always monolithic. Reading of meeting minutes does not yield a complete picture beyond agenda items. They should tell the truth about things that matter, take other people seriously, and the rest is just showbiz.

PCN&R: Given your strong opinions, why don't you run for a seat on the board?

GS: Well, as a condition of my participation on the budget advisory board, I told the other members that I would not seek membership on the board. In this manner, my comments and contributions would not be read with any hidden political agenda. In the future, I may change my mind.

PCN&R: What are your longterm goals?

GS: The teacher contract is not an end in itself, but has become an obstacle to education and makes the school unattractive to new residents. Many students can be seen taking the early morning train to Dobbs Ferry to attend the Masters School. Migration of families from New York continues, and within five years another school may come into existence in Garrison if the teachers and school don't get it together. They may lose the franchise. This could create a class system with GUFS as a second-tier institution.

PCN&R: Have you received any response from members of the board?

GS: I sent them an email telling them about the site and its goals. I also asked for their thoughts and participation but, to date, I have only received one private response. That's out of ten members, including those currently sitting and the two new members.

PCN&R: How do you envision this site becoming a vehicle for change?

GS: By allowing contributions from all members of the community. Over the past two years, the positions of the teachers and board have become entrenched. At the last board meeting several parents suggested that each side should replace its negotiating team with new members who can approach outstanding issues with fresh eyes. The room got very quiet at this point. Other parents asked that the teachers put their red "no respect" t-shirts in a drawer and leave them there. The negotiation has nothing to do with respect. It's only about contract issues. Parents also voiced strong disagreement about the teachers' contention that the t-shirts have no impact on students.

PCN&R: The introduction to the website states that you hope to "encourage . . . fulfillment of our hopes and responsibilities." How will you do that?

GS: I'm taking it one day at a time, so I don't know. This is a first and people will find out who they are and how they wish to use it.