GUILDERLAND — As a new school board member three years ago, Christine Hayes recalls taking a course where she learned “it takes a board member 2.6 years to become fully functional.”

Hayes is at that point now. “I want to give back all that information I’ve been learning,” she said. “I’m learning more every day.”

Hayes thought long and hard before seeking a second term because she is so busy with her job as an attorney for Albany Medical Center.  “I love the work,” she said of her board duties. “I don’t want to do anything half-way — I will make the time.”

She said of her tenure so far, “I’m proud of all the team work. When we did the facility study, we looked at the report and suggested options and listened to the community and realized they might not be the best options. They’re off the table and we’re looking at what we can do. It shows we’re listening to the community. I welcome the feedback.”

Her goal, she said, is to “maintain the same quality of education with diverse opportunities for students.”

Hayes, 33, who attended Westmere Elementary School and Farnsworth Middle School, graduated from Guilderland in 1999. Having that background, she said, “makes a huge difference” in understanding the Guilderland schools as she serves on the board.

“I also student taught and substitute taught” in Guilderland schools, she said. “So I can look at both viewpoints.”  Hayes has always lived in the area, with the exception of the years she was away at law school. “One day, with children of my own,” she said, “I want them to benefit from the great educational opportunities I had. I want to make sure we have excellence people can count on.”

Her current work, Hayes said, also helps her in performing her board duties well. As one of five in-house attorneys for Albany Medical Center, which owns five not-for-profit entities, she handles most of the educational affiliation agreements, and also works on psychiatric patient hearings, vendor agreements, and corporate matters. “They give you lots of independence,” she said. She also learned on the job the value of teamwork, critical thinking, and problem solving, Hayes said. “You have to be thorough, insightful, and thoughtful.”

On the role of a school board member, Hayes said her chief allegiance is to the students. “We need to build the educational opportunities so the next generation can serve our community,” she said. Hayes went on, “It’s also important to listen to the needs of the educators and the community at large. We need to do what is most fiscally responsible while preserving educational opportunities.”

Hayes supports the proposed $93.7 million budget.

She was concerned about the cut of six-tenths of a post for speech therapy. Referring to the Guilderland’s director of pupil personnel services, Hayes said, “Lisa Knowles and the district office have assured us the same services will be provided. I look forward to an update. There are real concerns.”

On the fund balance, she said, “It’s important we maintain at least what we have and try to get to the maximum. This year, we were lucky,” she said of the lower pension costs and added state aid. “The future is uncertain. It’s important to build it up to have a safety net.”

If the budget were to be defeated at the polls, Hayes said, “We should solicit feedback from the community to reassess.” She added, however, that she does not think the board will have to face that choice, as she believes the budget will pass.

“It’s a fair and responsible proposal,” Hayes concluded.

On whether the board, in the future, should consider going over the tax-levy limit, Hayes said, “It’s our responsibility to be fiscally responsible. I wouldn’t like to see us go over the levy limit. We need to try and find creative solutions, maybe leverage some community resources.”

On state tests, she said, “It’s a very complicated issue. I’m still trying to figure it all out. I don’t think students should be tested on things they haven’t learned. Teachers shouldn’t feel like they have to teach to the tests.”

Hayes went on, “Tests aren’t the only way to evaluate. If a certain percentage opt out, Guilderland may lose funding. We already are in fiscal peril. It’s hard to justify losing out.”

However, Hayes also said of students taking tests, “I understand sitting for a long time can be frustrating. The state and federal governments will have to figure out a different way to reach their goal. It’s hard for kids taking the test when others are in another room doing something more fun.”

She concluded, “It feels like a Catch-22. You want to respond but at what cost?”

Hayes said of the repurposing task force, “This gives us a great opportunity to look at space. I mentioned last year another district with incubator start-ups in the basement.”

By law, they can’t pay rent, she noted, but they are “developing new ideas; students can participate and learn from entrepreneurs. It’s a very valuable experience. Chances are they’ll stay in the community. It’s exciting,” she said, mentioning the Start-up NY campaign.

Hayes concluded, “To me, closing a school should be an absolute last resort. It’s not an option at this time.”

On contracts, she said, “Our educators are working so hard and tirelessly. Raises are appropriate to show employees how much you value them. It improves morale, which is good for the students.”

Hayes concluded, “It’s a balancing act. You have to look at what we have...This year, we were lucky.”