GUILDERLAND — , the mother of two elementary-school students, says, “One goal in getting elected is to represent the elementary-school children and parents because that would be lacking if I’m not elected...I think that voice needs to be heard on the board.”

Making her first run for the school board, Kenefick said, “I’m happy to be part of something I think is working very well.” She lists a range of “relevant experience,” from serving on the building cabinet at Westmere Elementary School to serving on the Citizens’ Budget Advisory Committee.

Kenefick, 40, works as a confidential law clerk for Anthony Carpinello, an Appellate Division judge. She likened the nine judges on the court to the nine members of the school board. “Every day,” said Kenefick, “I analyze difficult issues, debate them, and reach consensus in a collaborative way. It never gets personal.”

Kenefick is running as an independent.

She said she was “shocked and frustrated” when she read in the April 24 Enterprise that the teachers’ union had endorsed three candidates without interviewing her. There was no process this year for candidates seeking the union’s endorsement to fill out questionnaires.

“I don’t know how you can make an informed decision when you’re not actually interviewed,” she said. “They’re certainly a valuable organization,” she said of the Guilderland Teachers’ Association.

“It’s tough for me because a lot of teachers support me and I support them,” said Kenefick. “I have nothing but admiration for the teachers I’ve encountered in the district.”

Kenefick is taking her campaign to the people. “My campaign manager is my 10-year-old daughter,” she said.

She will be handing out leaflets at school functions. “This is my only mechanism to reach out to the community,” said Kenefick.

She went on about having the school grounds be a public forum, “It’s important for everybody.”

Kenefick pointed out that the two board members on the policy committee who voted against allowing the leafleting on school grounds — Catherine Barber and John Dornbush —  are both incumbents.

Alluding to a conflict of interest, Kenefick said, “Since they were running this year, it seems others should have” developed the policy proposal.

Asked about the role of a school-board member and which constituency she would primarily serve, Kenefick said it would depend on the issue, adding, “The role of the school board is to set goals for student achievement; students are always a priority for me.”

About combining supervisory posts, Kenefick cited the presentation to the citizens’ budget committee on the guidance counselor supervisor. “It did not convince me the district needed to pay $105,000. However, I’m the first to say I have an open mind. If you educate me, I could change my mind.”

She went on about the budget presentation, “It did convince me an extra guidance counselor is needed. I heard these people have huge loads and the students aren’t getting what they need.”

On combining the supervisory posts for English and social studies, she said, “Off the top of my head, it doesn’t sound like a good idea supervising 44 people...That sounds like a lot for one supervisor.” She re-iterated how eager and qualified she is to educate herself on issues to reach reasonable decisions.

On the block schedule, Kenefick said, “The high-school schedule could probably benefit from being tweaked. I’m not sure a wholesale revamping of the block schedule is required. If we look around for other high schools, perhaps we can learn things from them....You do want students to be able to take electives.”

On foreign language study, Kenefick said she was “thrilled” her kindergartner was part of the Foreign Language Early Start program and disappointed her fourth-grader would miss out.

She described the program as “fantastic,” but said, “It needs to be stronger. Nicholas only had 20 minutes a week, which is not enough.”

Other languages besides Spanish should “absolutely” be introduced, said Kenefick.

“My understanding is Chinese is one of the most prevalent languages,” she said. “Students should have an opportunity to learn as many foreign languages as possible.”

On testing, Kenefick said, “There needs to be a huge distinction between student measures and student outcomes.”

She went on, “Testing is just one small aspect of a student. I have no problems currently with how Guilderland handles testing and the publication or use of scores.

“They are complying with mandates and do a real nice job with preparing students...They let them know this is one aspect; they shouldn’t be defining themselves by a test score.”

On tenure being based in part on students’ test scores, Kenefick said, It’s the same with a teacher...It’s just one aspect.

Kenefick concluded, “I don’t think your score on a test equates with what type of student you are and how you’ll be as a citizen in the community.”