To the Editor:

On Feb. 23, there is a special election to fill two vacant seats on the Berne-Knox-Westerlo Board of Education.  I am asking for the residents of the school district to come out and vote in this off-cycle election.

I am asking for the support and vote of the community. As a lifelong resident and BKW graduate (1990), I have a vested interest in the ongoing success of the BKW School District and community.

I have over 20 years of business experience, which has allowed me to develop leadership skills that I feel will help me serve on the board of education. I most recently served on the BKW Budget Advisory Committee, and the search committee for our current superintendent.

I have also served as the vice president of the BKW Little League, on the Advisory Council of the Capital District YMCA, and was very active in the fundraising efforts for the BKW cross-country and track programs.

I am energetic about our schools’ various activities such as music, art, and athletics and the success of every student at BKW while keeping the fiscal concerns of our community in the forefront of my mind.

I have two daughters who graduated from BKW who both had successful elementary and high school careers. I feel it is important to give back to the school and community that have given so much to my family.

All elections are important; however, this special election is particularly important to me because we have for the first time in a long time a fully staffed team of administrators who are working tirelessly to improve the culture of the school as well as improving the opportunities our children have. They are being creative and thinking outside the box, not just looking to spend more money to accomplish their objectives.

I want to ensure this momentum continues and a long-term plan is created for the future of or children and the community who supports them.

I thank you in advance for your support.

Matthew Tedeschi

Westerlo