To the Editor:

We are writing to share our enthusiastic support for the re-election of Doreen Saia to the Voorheesville Board of Education. Doreen has been a trustee for five years and president of the board of education for the last two years.

Doreen has been instrumental in working with the district to establish and implement innovative programs for a 21st-Century education, while sustaining and maximizing the use of available financial resources.  Doreen’s focus is always on what is best for students, yet she balances that with a keen eye toward our district’s overall financial health. She carefully considers the interests of all community stakeholders, not just those of any one special-interest group.

Our district is in a particularly difficult budget cycle. In spite of this, we can point to significant growth that has been made during the past five years.

During Doreen's service on our board of education, our district administrators, faculty, and staff have been able to deliver new and improved curriculum and opportunities to meet the needs of a wide range of students in our district.

Direct examples of these include the implementation of Project Lead the Way, increased honors courses and electives, a full Career and Technology program that opens new diploma options for students, distance learning courses, and an innovative math curriculum in the elementary school.

Doreen uses empirical data and stakeholder input to address issues that are essential to maintaining our district’s reputation for excellence, including small class sizes, extracurricular activities, and attention to students’ social-emotional health.

Doreen is a tireless and dedicated board member who is able to prioritize and balance the needs of our school district and our community. Her experience and willingness to objectively tackle the tough decisions facing our school should be the deciding factors when you cast your vote.

Please vote to re-elect Doreen Saia on Tuesday, May 21, from 2 to 9 p.m. in the middle-school foyer.

Cynthia Monaghan

Jeannie McDonnell

Diana Straut

Editor’s note: The letter writers are members of the Voorheesville School Board.