As reported by http://www.lohud.com/:
Andrea Furey and Giuseppina Miller won two open seats on the Croton-Harmon Board of Education today.
Furey received 685 votes and Miller 664.
Trailing in the race were Lisa Grinberg McManus with 514 votes, Lisa Wolland with 490 votes, and Lisa Cohen with 421 votes.
The $42.8 million spending plan, which calls for the elimination of a handful of educational and clerical positions, was passed by a margin of 952 to 522. It proposes a zero-percent tax increase for residents living in the Cortlandt section of the district, and a slight tax decrease for the small section of the district in the town of Yorktown.
The $920,000 library bond passed by a margin of 1,030 to 432.
To all my supporters: THANK YOU!!! To all my fellow candidates: THANK YOU for the intelligence, passion and civility that you brought to this process. It was an honor to run with you!
All best, Andrea Furey
Wednesday, May 20, 2009
Monday, May 18, 2009
Final Thoughts On My Race....
Reflections about School Communication from the Train Station:
As my campaign for school board candidate winds down, I’d like to share an anecdote: Handing out leaflets at the Croton-Harmon train station I was greeted by a man rushing home who yelled to me, “Tell me in one sentence or less, why should I vote for you and what do you think of the Mandarin program?” I did my best under these frustrating conditions and didn’t get as far as I wished. But Hey --I thought -- this is the reality. Yes most issues are complex, but to truly engage the public, the Board needs to boil them down to their most basic facts and get them out there – even if it means handing out flyers at the train station.
For engage the public we must. And by ”public” I mean the entire Village of Croton and our Croton-Harmon educational community.
A silver lining of the economic crises has been that it has focused us on our schools. Croton has been in danger of maxing out its tax base for years. With our present economic situation questions about the future economic sustainability of our schools seem particularly critical. During these past months the public has showed up in unprecedented numbers to discuss the budget and to express their feelings about what is most important for our schools. Many people went on record about Mandarin (although probably not the gentleman that was sprinting away!), reading teachers and afterschool programs. Most importantly public engagement let the administration know what many Crotonites felt they could handle as a tax increase while maintaining the strength of our school programs.
In direct response, the budget went through 5 revisions. I think the end result is a reasonable compromise: A 0% tax levy increase, with minimal trimming of academic and after school programs. If voted in, this budget will be made workable through the efforts and cooperation of administrators, staff members, teachers and ultimately students. For example, some of the janitors will be involved in grounds work and landscaping. Most teachers will be handling more students. Our new superintendent, Dr. Fuhrman, and other school administrators have elected to take on 20% of their health coverage, as a model for the Croton-Harmon teaching staff now involved in contract negotiations. We all wait in anticipation to see what proactive response the teachers will be giving us. We do know that teachers care about the welfare of our children and the good of our community. As tax payers do their part, we look to the educational staff to do theirs.
In tough times we must come together to maximize our resources, to share our talents and ideas and it is an important role of the board to facilitate this. I believe that my background in Communications, Advocacy and Community Building for Non-Profits makes me a good match at this time. The Journal News endorsed me for this very reason. My years of working with non-profit budgets, which always means squeezing every dollar when you know that you are working for a vital cause, would give me the right perspective as we examine each expenditure to see how we can maximize the result for our children --- and the tax payers. My communications background gives me many creative and common sense ideas about how to get the word out. My years of advocacy for the National Multiple Sclerosis Society and CH SEPTA organizing people and crafting messages for legislators and the school administration informs me that you are only heard when you bring together large numbers of citizens who speak in one voice.
It has been an exciting and rewarding experience to spend the last six weeks or so meeting with so many community members to discuss the “what” and “how” of providing a great school program for our children. The “what” being our district’s absolute “must have list” of priorities. The “how” being how we can work together to make them a reality.
In conclusion I’d like to share my thoughts about the other candidates: They are an extremely dedicated, motivated and personable group of women and I have enjoyed getting to know each of them enormously. I am truly grateful for the civility of this race, and I hope it sets an example for our town, including our children. I ask for your vote tomorrow because I bring a new set of skills and experiences that would be helpful to the board and the work that needs to be done. However, whatever the outcome I plan to remain engaged and I call upon you to engage as well. The future welfare of our nation depends upon the education that our children receive today. Win or lose, you’ll probably see me leafleting at the train station!
For more information please visit http://www.smartvoter.org/ , e-mail me at andreafurey@msn.com or call 271-7640.
As my campaign for school board candidate winds down, I’d like to share an anecdote: Handing out leaflets at the Croton-Harmon train station I was greeted by a man rushing home who yelled to me, “Tell me in one sentence or less, why should I vote for you and what do you think of the Mandarin program?” I did my best under these frustrating conditions and didn’t get as far as I wished. But Hey --I thought -- this is the reality. Yes most issues are complex, but to truly engage the public, the Board needs to boil them down to their most basic facts and get them out there – even if it means handing out flyers at the train station.
For engage the public we must. And by ”public” I mean the entire Village of Croton and our Croton-Harmon educational community.
A silver lining of the economic crises has been that it has focused us on our schools. Croton has been in danger of maxing out its tax base for years. With our present economic situation questions about the future economic sustainability of our schools seem particularly critical. During these past months the public has showed up in unprecedented numbers to discuss the budget and to express their feelings about what is most important for our schools. Many people went on record about Mandarin (although probably not the gentleman that was sprinting away!), reading teachers and afterschool programs. Most importantly public engagement let the administration know what many Crotonites felt they could handle as a tax increase while maintaining the strength of our school programs.
In direct response, the budget went through 5 revisions. I think the end result is a reasonable compromise: A 0% tax levy increase, with minimal trimming of academic and after school programs. If voted in, this budget will be made workable through the efforts and cooperation of administrators, staff members, teachers and ultimately students. For example, some of the janitors will be involved in grounds work and landscaping. Most teachers will be handling more students. Our new superintendent, Dr. Fuhrman, and other school administrators have elected to take on 20% of their health coverage, as a model for the Croton-Harmon teaching staff now involved in contract negotiations. We all wait in anticipation to see what proactive response the teachers will be giving us. We do know that teachers care about the welfare of our children and the good of our community. As tax payers do their part, we look to the educational staff to do theirs.
In tough times we must come together to maximize our resources, to share our talents and ideas and it is an important role of the board to facilitate this. I believe that my background in Communications, Advocacy and Community Building for Non-Profits makes me a good match at this time. The Journal News endorsed me for this very reason. My years of working with non-profit budgets, which always means squeezing every dollar when you know that you are working for a vital cause, would give me the right perspective as we examine each expenditure to see how we can maximize the result for our children --- and the tax payers. My communications background gives me many creative and common sense ideas about how to get the word out. My years of advocacy for the National Multiple Sclerosis Society and CH SEPTA organizing people and crafting messages for legislators and the school administration informs me that you are only heard when you bring together large numbers of citizens who speak in one voice.
It has been an exciting and rewarding experience to spend the last six weeks or so meeting with so many community members to discuss the “what” and “how” of providing a great school program for our children. The “what” being our district’s absolute “must have list” of priorities. The “how” being how we can work together to make them a reality.
In conclusion I’d like to share my thoughts about the other candidates: They are an extremely dedicated, motivated and personable group of women and I have enjoyed getting to know each of them enormously. I am truly grateful for the civility of this race, and I hope it sets an example for our town, including our children. I ask for your vote tomorrow because I bring a new set of skills and experiences that would be helpful to the board and the work that needs to be done. However, whatever the outcome I plan to remain engaged and I call upon you to engage as well. The future welfare of our nation depends upon the education that our children receive today. Win or lose, you’ll probably see me leafleting at the train station!
For more information please visit http://www.smartvoter.org/ , e-mail me at andreafurey@msn.com or call 271-7640.
www.smartvoter.org
After a few issues with uploading I finally have my information available on The League of Women Voter's site: www.smartvoter.org. Better later than never?!
Sunday, May 17, 2009
Summary of Qualifications and Candidate's Statement
A ten-year Croton-on-Hudson resident and mother of two children attending the 10th and 6th grades in Croton schools, Andrea Furey offers a host of capabilities that will serve our community well, particularly during this challenging economic environment when state and federal educational spending has contracted as new costs on the school district are imposed:
Andrea has a proven track record building and leveraging public advocacy: She is well versed in cost cutting, budget squeezing and the transparency that non-profits -- and schools -- demand. She made the National Multiple Sclerosis Society's national art programs that she ran for more than 10 years completely self-funded including salary and overhead. She produced an MS awareness website, www. faceofms.org that brought in thousands of new advocates for the Society. She acted to solidify relationships with key art patrons during her tenure as Assistant Director of The International Council at the Museum of Modern Art in support of its international programs. She coordinates marketing, public relations and volunteer development for the Croton Cortlandt Center for the Arts. She has served on the public relations and production committee for the Croton-Harmon Educational Foundation (CHEF) "Under the Stars" since 2006. And she served on the Alliance for Croton-Harmon Education task force formed to explore additional income for the school district.
Andrea has proven success building open and productive communication among diverse interest groups that benefit all.
She co-founded Croton's first Special Education PTA that sought out cost-effective, educationally appropriate solutions to benefit pre-school and school-age children, educators, parents and tax payers.
Andrea's extensive professional and volunteer experiences provide her with a robust understanding and valuable insight into the district as well as its grade-specific goals and challenges. She currently works as a pre-school teacher at Childrenspace All Day Preschool in Croton-on-Hudson. She serves as assistant leader for Girl Scout Troop 1198 for 10th graders. She co-produced the Pierre Van Cortlandt Middle School musical, Aladdin, this year. In addition she has worked with families and educators developing educationally appropriate and effective programs for children from pre-school through high school as Parent Member for the District's Committee on Special Education since 2003.
Candidate's Statement:
"My goal for the district is straightforward: I seek to maintain the quality of our educational system by making it more economically sustainable. Both the village and educational community will have to work together for this to happen.
"Together, we need to advocate on every legislative level to keep costs contained and for all the funding we can possibly get; together, we need to keep a close eye on each expenditure; together, we must explore new ways to save, such as increased sharing of services on a local and county level and new funding sources; and finally, together we must mine the incredible talents and resources that the Croton community already offers.
"To achieve these goals, the school board must communicate effectively with the village and educational community using a variety of means and many different avenues. It is important for the board to continue to monitor how effectively they are reaching the public and continue to adjust their effforts to insure success. My skills and experience would make me an effective board member in this regard.
"The future welfare of our nation, our community, and our families depends upon the education that we provide to our children today. As a member of your school board, I will do all I can to insure the quality of that education. " -- Andrea Furey
Andrea has a proven track record building and leveraging public advocacy: She is well versed in cost cutting, budget squeezing and the transparency that non-profits -- and schools -- demand. She made the National Multiple Sclerosis Society's national art programs that she ran for more than 10 years completely self-funded including salary and overhead. She produced an MS awareness website, www. faceofms.org that brought in thousands of new advocates for the Society. She acted to solidify relationships with key art patrons during her tenure as Assistant Director of The International Council at the Museum of Modern Art in support of its international programs. She coordinates marketing, public relations and volunteer development for the Croton Cortlandt Center for the Arts. She has served on the public relations and production committee for the Croton-Harmon Educational Foundation (CHEF) "Under the Stars" since 2006. And she served on the Alliance for Croton-Harmon Education task force formed to explore additional income for the school district.
Andrea has proven success building open and productive communication among diverse interest groups that benefit all.
She co-founded Croton's first Special Education PTA that sought out cost-effective, educationally appropriate solutions to benefit pre-school and school-age children, educators, parents and tax payers.
Andrea's extensive professional and volunteer experiences provide her with a robust understanding and valuable insight into the district as well as its grade-specific goals and challenges. She currently works as a pre-school teacher at Childrenspace All Day Preschool in Croton-on-Hudson. She serves as assistant leader for Girl Scout Troop 1198 for 10th graders. She co-produced the Pierre Van Cortlandt Middle School musical, Aladdin, this year. In addition she has worked with families and educators developing educationally appropriate and effective programs for children from pre-school through high school as Parent Member for the District's Committee on Special Education since 2003.
Candidate's Statement:
"My goal for the district is straightforward: I seek to maintain the quality of our educational system by making it more economically sustainable. Both the village and educational community will have to work together for this to happen.
"Together, we need to advocate on every legislative level to keep costs contained and for all the funding we can possibly get; together, we need to keep a close eye on each expenditure; together, we must explore new ways to save, such as increased sharing of services on a local and county level and new funding sources; and finally, together we must mine the incredible talents and resources that the Croton community already offers.
"To achieve these goals, the school board must communicate effectively with the village and educational community using a variety of means and many different avenues. It is important for the board to continue to monitor how effectively they are reaching the public and continue to adjust their effforts to insure success. My skills and experience would make me an effective board member in this regard.
"The future welfare of our nation, our community, and our families depends upon the education that we provide to our children today. As a member of your school board, I will do all I can to insure the quality of that education. " -- Andrea Furey
Contact information: andreafurey@msn.com or 914-271-7640.
Saturday, May 16, 2009
Endorsement from the Journal News!
I have received an endorsement from The Journal News:
"Furey founded and served as co-president of the parent-teacher organization for special-education students. She said she wants to look at state mandates and urge Croton and nearby districts to lobby for relief. With extensive work in public relations and development for a nonprofit, Furey has skills and experience that would stand Croton-Harmon in good stead."
http://lohud.com/article/20090512/OPINION/905120325/-1/ELECTIONS01
There is a special election coverage on all the candidates including feed of a panel discussion in which we all participated. Visit http://lohud.com/ School Elections / Westchester/ Croton-Harmon.
"Furey founded and served as co-president of the parent-teacher organization for special-education students. She said she wants to look at state mandates and urge Croton and nearby districts to lobby for relief. With extensive work in public relations and development for a nonprofit, Furey has skills and experience that would stand Croton-Harmon in good stead."
http://lohud.com/article/20090512/OPINION/905120325/-1/ELECTIONS01
There is a special election coverage on all the candidates including feed of a panel discussion in which we all participated. Visit http://lohud.com/ School Elections / Westchester/ Croton-Harmon.
Endorsement from Patricia L. Buchanan, A Letter to the Gazette
To the editor:
I add my voice to the chorus of community members who plan to vote for Andrea Furey for the Croton School Board next Tuesday, May 19. Andrea has broad and deep experience in education and advocacy for child development. Additionally, Andrea is well suited to be a School Board Member as she has established herself as a consensus builder. I have great confidence that she will completely serve the children, their parents and all residents, who, like myself, do not have children in our school, but nonetheless are constituents of our school system.
Sincerely, Patricia L. Buchanan
Endorsement from Joel E. Gingold, A Letter to The Gazette
I am supporting Lisa Cohen and Andrea Furey for the School board and I urge you to do the same.
My principal concern is that, while this year's budget has not wreaked too much havoc on the schools, next year, in the absence of many one-time contributions to income, we are likely to face a significant deficit. This could lead to the distasteful choice of either a massive tax increase or the dismissal of a substantial number of teachers and the elimination of numerous programs. Not only could this devestate the school system and/or the taxpayers, but it could also create a serious rift in the community between those who have children in the schools and those who do not. Not a happy situation.
At the beginning of the campaign, I did not know any of the candidates. So I sent each of them a few questions related to this issue, i.e., How, in these perilous economic times, do we maintain a quality educational program at a cost that the taxpayers can afford?
All five of the candidates came back with detailed, thoughtful and candid responses. I watched the video of their panel at the Journal News and I also had the opportunity to speak with almost all of them. I concluded that we have an outstanding group of women willing and able to take on what must be the most difficult public office in the community. I believe that all of them would represent the district well, but choices must be made.
Lisa Cohen gets it! She got it from the beginning and I think it is imperative to have someone with her outlook and understanding on the Board to ensure that the interests of both the students and the taxpayers are effectively represented and balanced.
For the second seat, I admit I am torn between Andrea Furey and Lisa McManus. I believe they both understand the situation well and will advocate doing what is necessary and appropriate to provide affordable, quality education for our students. As I can only vote for one of them, and for a variety of reasons too involved to discuss here, I will support Andrea Furey.
This may be the most crucial School Board election we have faced in many years. So I encourage all of you to find out as much as you can about all of the candidates and, most importantly, to get out and vote on May 19.
Sincerely, Joel E. Gingold
My principal concern is that, while this year's budget has not wreaked too much havoc on the schools, next year, in the absence of many one-time contributions to income, we are likely to face a significant deficit. This could lead to the distasteful choice of either a massive tax increase or the dismissal of a substantial number of teachers and the elimination of numerous programs. Not only could this devestate the school system and/or the taxpayers, but it could also create a serious rift in the community between those who have children in the schools and those who do not. Not a happy situation.
At the beginning of the campaign, I did not know any of the candidates. So I sent each of them a few questions related to this issue, i.e., How, in these perilous economic times, do we maintain a quality educational program at a cost that the taxpayers can afford?
All five of the candidates came back with detailed, thoughtful and candid responses. I watched the video of their panel at the Journal News and I also had the opportunity to speak with almost all of them. I concluded that we have an outstanding group of women willing and able to take on what must be the most difficult public office in the community. I believe that all of them would represent the district well, but choices must be made.
Lisa Cohen gets it! She got it from the beginning and I think it is imperative to have someone with her outlook and understanding on the Board to ensure that the interests of both the students and the taxpayers are effectively represented and balanced.
For the second seat, I admit I am torn between Andrea Furey and Lisa McManus. I believe they both understand the situation well and will advocate doing what is necessary and appropriate to provide affordable, quality education for our students. As I can only vote for one of them, and for a variety of reasons too involved to discuss here, I will support Andrea Furey.
This may be the most crucial School Board election we have faced in many years. So I encourage all of you to find out as much as you can about all of the candidates and, most importantly, to get out and vote on May 19.
Sincerely, Joel E. Gingold
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