Karen Zevin, School Board Vice President, announced that Dr. Edward Fuhrman, presently Deputy Superintendent of the Nanuet Union Free School District would be assuming the role of District Superintendent for the Croton-Harmon Schools as of July 1st.
According to their website http://nanunet.lhric.org/: "Though we are the smallest of the eight Rockland districts, Nanuet measures up against the largest, as shown by our numerous and varied awards. We are the first district in Rockland County to have all its schools accredited by the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools, an international agency that judges how well schools measure up against an independent scale of excellence. Additionally, for the ninth time in as many years, the District has been the recipient of the WHAT PARENTS WANT AWARD from SchoolMatch, a school-selection consulting firm. The George W. Miller Elementary School received national recognition as a BLUE RIBBON SCHOOL OF EXCELLENCE from the U.S. Department of Education. The New York State Department of Education named the A. MacArthur Barr Middle School as a TOP SECONDARY SCHOOL. And, the New York State School Music Association selected the District as the recipient of its PRESIDENTIAL CITATION for its dedication and commitment to music education.
"It is only natural that an award-winning district would be comprised of award winning staff members. Our most recent honorees include Nanuet’s Deputy Superintendent and Board of Education President, who received AWARDS FOR EXCELLENCE from the Mid-Hudson School Study Council. Nanuet’s Director of Student Support Services and three of our Special Education Teachers were honored by the Young Adult Institute/Rockland County Association for the Learning Disabled for EDUCATIONAL LEADERSHIP and SPECIAL EDUCATORS OF THE YEAR. The New York State Alliance for Arts Education and the New York State Council of School Superintendents selected Nanuet's Superintendent to receive the SCHOOL SUPERINTENDENT AWARD FOR ARTS EDUCATION LEADERSHIP. He also was honored in Albany for his long-standing support of after-school programming, making him the first superintendent to win the DISTINGUISHED EDUCATOR AWARD from the New York State Coalition for After-School programs.
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
The Role of School Board, A Letter to the Gazette
An Open Letter to the Croton Community,
Last Thursday night was my first open candidate’s discussion at the Croton Colonial Diner. I had the pleasure to be joined by two ladies with equal passion for the school district, but with very different levels of experience. One was an educator who was the wife of a former board member, the other a singer-song writer who just moved to the district partly for our schools.
Discussion topics included educational priorities, how the district could best meet the educational needs of all children, the importance of providing a wealth of diverse activities as enrichment for children, funding, and what we’d like to see in a new superintendent. We also focused on what was is the actual role of a school board member.
Through my years of working with not-for-profits (the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, the Museum of Modern Art and the Croton Cortlandt Center for the Arts) I am well versed with the relationship of boards to staff, but a school board is its own unique animal. I think it is very important to have a good understanding of the role as you decide which candidates to support.
The New York State School Board Association printed the following in a pamphlet for prospective members: “What does a board member do? With children always their ultimate focus, school board members act officially only at the board table, working with other board members to accomplish the following: Create a shared vision; set student performance standards; oversee development of assessment programs based on those standards; account for student achievement results; adopt the annual budget, aligning district resources to improve achievement; create a healthy environment for work and learning; build strategic partnerships; sustain the district’s progress through continuous improvement; adopt and maintain current policies in written format; hire and evaluate the superintendent; ratify collective bargaining agreements; maintain strong ethical standards.”
In truth the board is an oversight committee of elected community representatives that exists to make sure the superintendent has what is needed to efficiently run schools in support of the district’s children and in synch with the community’s vision. It is the superintendent who develops the curriculum and the staff and is responsible for day-to-day operations.
While it is interesting to know the personal visions of school board candidates in regard to curriculum – they are not applicable to the job. It also must be remembered that no individual board member wields personal power. Each must work in concert with the full board to achieve any goal – majority rules -- so it is counterproductive to support a particular agenda that does not support the big picture for all children. A strong board member is one who can build consensus in support of the overall community goals for the schools.
I will be meeting again at the Croton Colonial Diner from 7:30 – 8:30 and hope you will join me. As someone who seeks to represent the community, I would like to hear as many perspectives a possible. It is my understanding that some of the other candidates may be attending as well. If you have any questions or comments please e-mail me at andreafurey@msn.com, call me at 914-271-7640 or visit my blog: andreafureyforschoolboard.blogspot.com.
Sincerely, Andrea Furey
Last Thursday night was my first open candidate’s discussion at the Croton Colonial Diner. I had the pleasure to be joined by two ladies with equal passion for the school district, but with very different levels of experience. One was an educator who was the wife of a former board member, the other a singer-song writer who just moved to the district partly for our schools.
Discussion topics included educational priorities, how the district could best meet the educational needs of all children, the importance of providing a wealth of diverse activities as enrichment for children, funding, and what we’d like to see in a new superintendent. We also focused on what was is the actual role of a school board member.
Through my years of working with not-for-profits (the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, the Museum of Modern Art and the Croton Cortlandt Center for the Arts) I am well versed with the relationship of boards to staff, but a school board is its own unique animal. I think it is very important to have a good understanding of the role as you decide which candidates to support.
The New York State School Board Association printed the following in a pamphlet for prospective members: “What does a board member do? With children always their ultimate focus, school board members act officially only at the board table, working with other board members to accomplish the following: Create a shared vision; set student performance standards; oversee development of assessment programs based on those standards; account for student achievement results; adopt the annual budget, aligning district resources to improve achievement; create a healthy environment for work and learning; build strategic partnerships; sustain the district’s progress through continuous improvement; adopt and maintain current policies in written format; hire and evaluate the superintendent; ratify collective bargaining agreements; maintain strong ethical standards.”
In truth the board is an oversight committee of elected community representatives that exists to make sure the superintendent has what is needed to efficiently run schools in support of the district’s children and in synch with the community’s vision. It is the superintendent who develops the curriculum and the staff and is responsible for day-to-day operations.
While it is interesting to know the personal visions of school board candidates in regard to curriculum – they are not applicable to the job. It also must be remembered that no individual board member wields personal power. Each must work in concert with the full board to achieve any goal – majority rules -- so it is counterproductive to support a particular agenda that does not support the big picture for all children. A strong board member is one who can build consensus in support of the overall community goals for the schools.
I will be meeting again at the Croton Colonial Diner from 7:30 – 8:30 and hope you will join me. As someone who seeks to represent the community, I would like to hear as many perspectives a possible. It is my understanding that some of the other candidates may be attending as well. If you have any questions or comments please e-mail me at andreafurey@msn.com, call me at 914-271-7640 or visit my blog: andreafureyforschoolboard.blogspot.com.
Sincerely, Andrea Furey
Tuesday, April 21, 2009
Assessing the Budget, A Letter to the Gazette
Open Letter to the Croton Community,
As someone who has attended the school budget meetings over the past few months, I would like to congratulate the board, administrators and the many members of the public who got involved for wrangling out a budget that keeps our schools relatively strong, maintains important afterschool programs like intramural sports in the middle school AND comes in with a 0% tax increase for Town of Cortlandt residents (includes Croton) and a .067% reduction for Yorktown (the difference is caused by equalization rates over which the school has no control.)
Over the past months I’ve heard the board describe the budget as a philosophical statement of the district’s priorities. I think this is misleading and has caused some pain and concern among parents when it was assumed that cuts made in teachers or programs indicated that these people and programs were valued less than those that weren’t cut. In fact it appears that most were made for purely practical reasons – they would help save money and children could still receive a good education.
There is, however, a limit to how much can be cut before education suffers, and we’ve come very close with this budget. For example high school classes will be bigger next year with fewer choices when sections of key academic classes such as English and Social Studies are cut and the student body continues to grow. The student body will be growing in all three school buildings next year.
It is also emotionally wrenching to cut teachers – people who work hard for the welfare for our children and build strong relationships with our families and community. I believe that teacher cuts can never be taken lightly and should not and cannot become a regular tactic to balance budgets.
It is important for the community to remain engaged as we move on to next year’s budget which will likely be even more challenging -- and will be built under a new superintendent and board.
I am running for a spot on that board and I will do all I can to empower a grassroots community advocacy movement to thwart unnecessary, unfunded mandates from Albany, and to advocate for all possible government funding for which we are eligible to keep our taxes at a similar rate and keep our schools strong. I ask for your vote on May 19th and, most importantly, your help as we go forward to protect our schools and our quality of life.
I’d like to hear from you: andreafurey@msn.com, 271-7640, or visit my blog: andreafureyforschoolboard.blogspot.com.
Or meet with me at the Croton Colonial Diner on Thursday nights from 7:30 – 8:30 pm. If you’d like to meet earlier in the evening than that, let me know. I’d be pleased to have any of the other candidates join us.
Sincerely,
Andrea Furey
As someone who has attended the school budget meetings over the past few months, I would like to congratulate the board, administrators and the many members of the public who got involved for wrangling out a budget that keeps our schools relatively strong, maintains important afterschool programs like intramural sports in the middle school AND comes in with a 0% tax increase for Town of Cortlandt residents (includes Croton) and a .067% reduction for Yorktown (the difference is caused by equalization rates over which the school has no control.)
Over the past months I’ve heard the board describe the budget as a philosophical statement of the district’s priorities. I think this is misleading and has caused some pain and concern among parents when it was assumed that cuts made in teachers or programs indicated that these people and programs were valued less than those that weren’t cut. In fact it appears that most were made for purely practical reasons – they would help save money and children could still receive a good education.
There is, however, a limit to how much can be cut before education suffers, and we’ve come very close with this budget. For example high school classes will be bigger next year with fewer choices when sections of key academic classes such as English and Social Studies are cut and the student body continues to grow. The student body will be growing in all three school buildings next year.
It is also emotionally wrenching to cut teachers – people who work hard for the welfare for our children and build strong relationships with our families and community. I believe that teacher cuts can never be taken lightly and should not and cannot become a regular tactic to balance budgets.
It is important for the community to remain engaged as we move on to next year’s budget which will likely be even more challenging -- and will be built under a new superintendent and board.
I am running for a spot on that board and I will do all I can to empower a grassroots community advocacy movement to thwart unnecessary, unfunded mandates from Albany, and to advocate for all possible government funding for which we are eligible to keep our taxes at a similar rate and keep our schools strong. I ask for your vote on May 19th and, most importantly, your help as we go forward to protect our schools and our quality of life.
I’d like to hear from you: andreafurey@msn.com, 271-7640, or visit my blog: andreafureyforschoolboard.blogspot.com.
Or meet with me at the Croton Colonial Diner on Thursday nights from 7:30 – 8:30 pm. If you’d like to meet earlier in the evening than that, let me know. I’d be pleased to have any of the other candidates join us.
Sincerely,
Andrea Furey
Monday, April 20, 2009
Tuesday, April 14, 2009
Announcing My Candidacy -- A Letter to the Gazette
An open letter to the Croton-Harmon community,
I (too) am running for a seat on the school board for the Croton-Harmon School District. Our schools, like our community and country, have reached a tipping point. Yes, we face uncertain and difficult economic times and challenges brought on by an increasingly global and stressful existence, but we cannot let discouragement set our agenda and determine our outcomes. An excellent school system is the backbone of our community. I think I could help strengthen Croton by holding a seat on the school board. This is what I bring to the position:
- Knowledge of our schools: I’ve had the privilege, with Donna O’Malley, to co-found Croton’s first Special Education PTA (CH SEPTA) in 2003. This PTA supports special education students from pre-school through high school, including those attending school out of district. We served as Co-Presidents until this fall, spear-heading many educational activities and initiatives in service of not only CH SEPTA members but the greater school and Croton community, for example a Mental Health Forum last spring. I have attended 50+ meetings as a Parent Member for the Committee on Special Education, again for students pre-K through high school, both in and out of district and now serve as CH SEPTA middle school liaison. These experiences have afforded me opportunities to work with the administration, teachers and staff in every Croton school and the district office, meet regularly with parents and hear about their individual concerns, and have given me a thorough overview of our children’s educational experience.
While special education students comprise but a segment of the student body, special education services comprise nearly 25% of the district budget.Some question if this is too much. In truth the entire system is strengthened and monies are saved when students receive the right support to be successful learners. I believe that I could bring important insights to the board and our new superintendent when discussing how to efficiently expend and allocate resources for the greater good of all the district’s children.
- Knowledge of our community: I moved to Croton ten years ago with my family in large part because of the reputation of its schools. After commuting for seven years, I transitioned to working where I live, which has given me a broader and deeper understanding of our town and neighbors beyond our schools. I have cobbled together a number of part-time jobs in which I am currently employed: Daycare worker for 3-5 year olds at Childrenspace, a full-day pre-school on Maple Avenue; Marketing and Public Relations consultant for the Croton Cortlandt Center for the Arts at Charles Cook Park; and Office Manager for the very busy physical therapist practice of Anne Samojedny, on Grand Street, which specializes in CranioSacral Therapy for adults and children, including those with learning disabilities.
- Skills and experience in communications, advocacy, fundraising and volunteer leadership: Before my present employment in Croton, I was Communications Manager and Director of National Art Programs for the home office of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society for 17 years. In that capacity I was known for developing new ways to get our story across (http://www.faceofms.org/ is a site I produced) and utilizing programs –such as developing holiday cards through our art programs --to bring in new income through sponsorships and donations while raising awareness about our cause. Before that I worked in development as assistant director for the International Council at the Museum of Modern Art, an elite group of art patrons. I was integral in starting up the CH SEPTA parent network and helped develop its key fund raiser: the mini version of the district’s school calendar.
- Rapport with children: Our schools exist to support children, and I enjoy working with and spending time with them. In addition to my work at Childrenspace, I have been closely involved with my daughter’s Girl Scout troop 1198 which was formed ten years ago and still has a dozen participants; acted as co-producer of PVC’s musical this spring, Aladdin; and have organized a group of high school volunteers for CCCArts, for examples. I also developed and managed art programs for children across the nation who had loved ones living with MS for the National Multiple Sclerosis Society.
- Ability to work with people but not afraid to speak up: I have good relationships with the sitting board. In fact I was recruited to run. However, if you have attended recent school board meetings about the proposed budget, you will know that I have spoken out against teacher and modified sports cuts and have asked tough questions about resource allocations.
- Other relevant information: As a parent, community member and citizen I feel that it is my patriotic duty to do everything I can to help provide the very best schools and educational opportunities for our children – to the benefit of us all. My primary areas of focus for the school board would be: 1) to engage the community in advocacy on all legislative levels to improve our funding and thus keep our tax increases low and prevent future teacher cuts 2) to improve communication with parents and the community at large utilizing as many avenues as possible; and 3) to develop and expand volunteer community involvement in our schools to provide support and foster stronger relationships.
I invite you to join my campaign and would like to hear from you! On Thursday, April 23rd, and on future Thursdays, until the election on May 19th, I will be at the Croton Colonial Diner from 7:30-8:30 pm to meet the public, discuss issues and answer questions. I would be honored if any of the other candidates would like to join me. If you are not able to get out and would like to begin a discussion, please visit andreafureyforschoolboard.blogspot.com. I will post this letter and update the site regularly. I appreciate feedback and comments. I can be reached at 271-7640 (home), 539-2971 (cell) and at andreafurey@msn.com. I thank you for your consideration.
Sincerely,
Andrea Furey
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