To the Editor:

It concerns me that school-board elections are not seen by school community members as more important than they are, as the results can have significant impact on a school district for years. Elections are often uncontested, which results in little interest and low voter turnout.

A school board serves an important function. Its job is to represent the community in overseeing the education of its students, district personnel, and school-owned property.

This year, I am pleased to see three candidates running for the school board in Voorheesville. For the first time in my 20 years as the Voorheesville Teachers’ Association president, we have decided to endorse a candidate, Rachel Gilker.

Rachel has an impressive professional background, and she is very supportive of our school community.  She regularly attends board of education meetings, as well as sub-committee meetings. She was an active volunteer on our school’s playground committee and she currently volunteers for our Good Eats program at the elementary school. Next year, she will have a child in each of our three buildings, so she will truly have a K-12 perspective.

Voorheesville Central Schools is facing some immense challenges ahead. Among the most important is the preservation of academic and extra-curricular programming with limited fiscal resources. These challenges create a need for collaboration, transparency, communication, and integrity. Rachel embodies these skills and values.

We all play a role in making Voorheesville Central School District the best it can be. We may not always agree on every issue, but it is critical that we commit to working together to find solutions to our challenges so we can continue our tradition of excellence.

Please mark your calendars and join me in voting for Rachel Gilker for the Voorheesville School Board on May 21.

Kathy Fiero

President

Voorheesville

Teachers’ Association