Published: May 15, 2008 12:34 pm         

Letters for May 15, 2008

Consider the source

As a Cooperstown parent, I am disappointed that the discussion of the quality of education in the schools has been hijacked by Mr. Reinhardt’s loony website. The nature of the commentary on the website, from the site’s title to the promotion of unsubstantiated rumors about staff members, is demeaning to the whole community. Further, the postings by the “editor” that constantly declare the incompetence of the Board of Education and most of the teaching staff seem to be intended to intimidate and threaten rather than promote a positive dialogue. To make matters worse, the site’s rants recently appeared on anonymously posted fliers last week in various locations downtown.

In my professional life I regularly visit schools across New York State. I know that most of the issues presented by the website as evidence of the school’s shortcomings are present in every public school.

This is particularly true of rural schools similar to Cooperstown. I believe that the mark of success in these schools is how well they deal with these issues to insure a quality education for their students. From my experience with the local schools there are some real strengths in Cooperstown and a number of weaknesses that need to be addressed.

We should all remember that the Cooperstown schools are a product of our community. All of the community is responsible for their success or failure by participating in existing processes, like attending BOE meetings or joining the PTO. Please make a positive contribution to the schools by voting next week for the new school board and letting your voice be heard by those who can make a difference. As to the “itbeskool” website, I offer the advice a wise man once gave me — consider the source.

Garet Livermore

Cooperstown

Scalici running for relection

I am running to continue as a member of the Cooperstown Central School Board and after 12 years realize I should introduce myself to a new generation of parents and many new residents. Incumbency is not, in itself, a virtue for public trust. I’ve lived in Cooperstown 31 years, have two children, both K through 12 Cooperstown graduates and now in the work world. I grew up on Staten Island, split undergraduate studies with a military enlistment, then after 10 years of work attended West Virginia University for a masters degree in Education. My occupation for the past 25 years has been Executive Director of a non-profit housing and community development corporation. This gives me knowledge and experience with fiscal and regulatory matters.

There are two reasons for my decision to continue with our school board.

First, I believe I still represent community values of a school system that gives equal attention and educational resources to all segments of our student population while assuring that fiscal decisions are made deliberately and with defendable purpose.

The second reason is that I can offer the perspective of previous board decisions in terms of the whys and how those decisions turned out. With the make-up of the board to be nearly all with fewer than three years as members, this perspective seems important.

When a person joins on a school board, he/she doesn’t stop being the same parent and taxpayer as before joining. We carry the community’s concerns and interests into the not so simple realities of our system of public school education. Communicating the process and results of how these concerns and interests translate is an ongoing challenge. As an individual, I welcome conversation in person or by phone with anyone who has a problem or point of view about the school. I will respond openly to the limit of what is legally permitted and, as with any other board member, will bring the matter to the full board and administration. I look forward to a new term and to working with the new members who have generously chosen to run for this important office.

Anthony Scalici

Cooperstown

Russo for school board

I have gotten to know Theresa Russo over the past year and I was thrilled when she said she was running for the Cooperstown School Board. I have learned what an intelligent, caring person she really is. To top it off she’s running for the right reasons; because she has the time, believes in community service, and wants the best for all of our children. She’s aware of the financial strains we are all under and I know personally that she understands budgets and the hard work that goes into creating one and keeping increases to a minimum.

There are three positions open but one is only for one year. I personally would like to see Theresa on the Cooperstown School Board for a full three-year term where she could be most effective. So it’s important that you vote for Theresa Russo, who I believe will do a fantastic job!

Meg Kiernan

Fly Creek

Borgstrom right fit for CCS

David Borgstrom is an independent thinker whose commitment to the Cooperstown community is always on display. His work as President of Cooperstown Youth Baseball has made that organization a top-notch program.

He was a main force in building the clubhouse, both in the idea and the actual physical work. David brings thoughtfulness, determination, and intelligence to the table in whatever forum he chooses to enter. He will be a valuable addition to the school board. He has our support.

Jeff and Karen Katz

Cooperstown

Schneider running again

On Tuesday, May 20, residents of the Cherry Valley- Springfield Central School District will have an opportunity to vote for a member of the Board of Education, and will be asked to consider this year’s school budget. I ask for your support for reelection to the School Board, and for a positive vote on the budget and two other financial issues.

It has been my honor to serve as a member of the School Board for the past five years. When I first ran for election to the Board, I announced that my primary goals were to improve educational quality in the District by focusing on positive school culture, and expanded opportunities for all members of the school community to participate in governance of our school.

In addition, I hoped the school board would become more transparent and more accessible to all groups in the school community. Finally, and most importantly, I pledged to respect local taxpayers by ensuring that our school budgets were fair and responsible.

While there is still much work to be done, I think we have made progress on all of these goals. I am ready and willing to continue as a member of the Board, and would welcome your support and your vote next Tuesday.

In addition to electing a member of the School Board, there are three fiscal items on the ballot. Next year’s budget asks you to support a very small increase — less than one percent — in local school taxes. In addition, you are being asked to allow the District to spend unexpected state aid we received last year to pay off a bus loan early, and to set aside money to pay the District’s share of the new building project for each of the next 15 years. I ask you to support all three of these referendum. Taken together, these ballot propositions demonstrate the District is being well managed fiscally, and that your Board is doing its best to ensure the long-term financial health of the District.

As always, please do not hesitate to contact me if you have any questions or concerns about our School District.

Steve Schneider

Cherry Valley

Schneider is the president of the CV-S board of education.