GUILDERLAND — The school board president, Gene Danese, announced last Tuesday that he will not seek re-election to the board. His announcement came on the heels of a similar declaration from the board’s vice president, Linda Bakst.

Both Bakst and Danese will have served on the board for nine years — three three-year terms. Both were elected to their current leadership posts in July.

Last spring, two of the board’s other long-time members and leaders, William Brinkman and David Picker, also stepped down.

Danese offered some advice last Tuesday to those who will seek seats in the May 16 election.
"Don’t be a one-issue candidate," he urged. "You need to be concerned with the total package."

Second, he urged candidates to recognize that change is a fact of life; the school must adapt to change to maintain quality, he said.
"Have an open mind," Danese urged.
Finally, he said that school-board governance is one of the "purest forms of democracy we have."

If it is not well-used, he cautioned, this form of democracy could be lost.
"I urge you to vote," he said.
Thomas Nachod, the board’s longest serving member and a former president, told Danese, "You provided...a great level of professionalism. You always cared for the kids...while exercising fiscal responsibility."
Nachod concluded that Danese had done a "fantastic job" and said it was "a privilege to serve with you."

Danese, 58, works for the New York State Education Department, certifying teachers and administrators. He holds a doctorate degree in higher education administration, a master’s degree in teaching social studies, and a bachelor’s degree in geography with a minor in history — all from the University at Albany.

Parting thoughts
Danese is proudest of "the fact I’ve stuck to my principles — providing a quality education at a reasonable cost," he told The Enterprise this week.

Danese believes that funding is the greatest challenge faced by Guilderland and all public-school districts in New York State.
"We have to face reality," he said. "Sooner or later, if incomes don’t rise at the same rate as taxes, there will be a voter backlash."

After years of urging the district to consider alternative funding sources, Danese is pleased that this year such a committee has been formed; he believes a foundation may be the best route to pursue.

On a larger scale, Danese said New York needs to look to other states for ways besides property taxes to fund schools. Florida uses hotel taxes to fund education, he said, and the state of Hawaii has consolidated its schools into one district.
"Funding has got to be more at the county or state level," said Danese. "Right now, property taxes account for 70 percent of Guilderland’s revenues with the state providing only about 26 percent.
"Guilderland has a good reputation as a school district," said Danese. "That’s why people want to live here. There’s a balance in everything."
Within the district, Danese pointed to money-saving measures such as the board’s recent scrutiny of health-insurance costs. (See related story.) He credited Peter Golden, who joined the board in July, with being "instrumental in getting us to look at it."
Danese said that he believes that, eventually, bidding out insurance will be "the way to go."
Danese concluded, in looking back at his nine years on the board, "I’ve stayed true to my philosophy of getting the best bang for the buck."
"Why do we do this""

The third board member whose term will be up this year is Richard Weisz. He told The Enterprise last month, at the time Bakst made her announcement about not seeking a fourth term, that he will run again.

Weisz, a lawyer, has served for two terms.
"I believe in public education," he said, "and I feel a commitment to continue. I still feel I have the energy to and something to contribute."
During last Tuesday’s televised meeting, Weisz asked rhetorically of school board members, "Why do we do this""

He went on to list student accomplishments that had been highlighted earlier in the meeting — ranging from middle-school spelling-bee winners to high-school math league rankings.
"We’re on the board because it’s about the kids...," said Weisz.
"Take a moment to look and see what our students are actually doing," he concluded, "and then we’ll talk about how we’ll pay for it."

School-board elections are May 16, at the same time as the budget vote. (See related story.) Candidate petitions are available through the district office. The board’s nine members are unpaid and candidates do not run on political party lines.