GUILDERLAND — Two of the three incumbents on the Guilderland School Board say they are not yet sure if they’ll seek re-election on May 20, although all three are circulating petitions.

John Dornbush, who has been on the board since 1999 and currently serves as its vice president, cited “health reasons” as determining his decision.

Peter Golden, who was elected to his first term three years ago, says it will depend on who else enters the race. “I certainly don’t want to see the board loaded up with retired employees,” he said.

An author, Golden said he also faces a deadline on a book he’s completing on the Cold War.

Catherine Barber is committed to seeking a second term. “I feel like I’ve learned a lot in three years,” she said. “I feel I could contribute something.”

Barber

A mother who used to spend a lot of time in the classroom, she said, “I like being involved in the schools. Education is of the utmost importance. That was my initial reason for running, and it’s still valid.”

Her accomplishments include heading the communications committee when it came up with the idea of holding coffee klatches so board members could chat informally with the public.

Barber, a lawyer and musician, currently chairs the policy committee and said she is proud of the new policy curbing cyberbullying. “It’s a little bit groundbreaking,” she said, adding, “I didn’t do it by myself.”

Goals for her next term include continuing the expansion of foreign-language instruction at the elementary level. “It’s a manifestation of what we’re about,” she said of  the school district. “We support arts and language.”

Golden

Golden, reviewing his accomplishments, said, “I’ve really had an impact on cost containment, being more business-like about looking at the budget. Oversight is a key component of the board.”

He went on, “What a battle it is to make people toe the line and push for high standards. It’s a constant fight.”

He cited the “resistance” he felt when he first started questioning health-insurance policies. “Now we have more than one insurance agent involved,” he said.

The “battle” that lies ahead, he said, is “pushing for outcomes.” Golden has asked that the district publish test scores from comparable districts, information that administrators say is already easily available.

”Often the people who want the conflict to go away have an enormous agenda,” said Golden. “You’re not performing your legal mandate if you’re not willing to confront people. If you pretend you’re an extension of the administration, you shouldn’t be on the board.”

Golden concluded of being on the school board, “It’s a thankless task...If you’re doing your job, you’re going to annoy someone at ever meeting.”

Dornbush

John Dornbush, asked why he’s stayed on the board for nearly a decade, said, “It’s a commitment to education, to the families of the community. It may sound corny, but it makes me feel good.”

Dornbush works as the assistant director of financial aid at the University at Albany.

About accomplishments during his tenure, he said, “I’m very proud of the selection of John McGuire as superintendent. He has more than met my expectations.”

The board had been divided, 3 to 6, in selecting McGuire.

Dornbush’s goal for another term is to focus on “the whole notion of technology...to push towards really, really preparing our students for jobs in a high-tech world.”

He pointed out that, when the board president asked about goals, “I was the first to articulate a year-and-a-half ago the need to build up our math, science, and technology [programs].”

Dornbush would like to see Guilderland students be able to get jobs locally as Tech Valley burgeons “so we won’t have to look to other countries,” said Dornbush. “We have to educate all students to find something useful to do.”