To the Editor:

On May 21, I will be voting for Rachel Gilker for a seat on the Voorheesville Central School District Board of Education.

I got to know Rachel when we worked together as volunteers for the Good Eats program. Good Eats is a garden-to-school curriculum to expose students to fresh fruits and vegetables, and to encourage healthy eating habits.

Rachel has been a co-chair of Good Eats for three years. She is frequently a room parent, and is often volunteering her time and talents at school.

Rachel’s husband, Chris, is a coach with the New Scotland Soccer Club and the Kiwanis soccer program.  She is tirelessly dedicated to making the Voorheesville school and community a better place.

As of September, Rachel will have a child at the elementary school, at the middle school, and at Clayton A. Bouton High School. She will have a unique perspective of the district as a whole, as well as the individual issues faced at each level.

It is important to have board members who are aware of the needs of all students. Currently, there is only one board member with children in the elementary school, and no one with children in the middle school.

Rachel often goes to school board meetings, asks questions, and pushes our administrators and board members to make transparent decisions that support our students and stakeholders. Rachel would consider all options when making decisions about our school. She would also consider the long- and short-term implications of those decisions.

Rachel understands the need to make smart fiscal decisions for the community. Rachel would be a watchdog for our community’s resources, and would be mindful of the taxpayers’ trust.

Please vote for Rachel Gilker on May 21.  

Kerry Connolly

Slingerlands