To the Editor:

On May 20, voters in the Greenville Central School District will decide on the annual school budget and elect two members to the board of education. With three candidates running, it’s important that voters look beyond name recognition and make informed decisions based on qualifications and values.

I strongly support David Finch and Maryah Mac Donald for the two open seats. They are committed to academic excellence, inclusivity, and the professional independence of our educators.

David Finch is seeking a third term on the school board. A retired technology teacher with 35 years of experience in the Coxsackie-Athens Central School District and with two school-board terms under his belt, David has deep institutional knowledge of education policy and programming.

He’s a strong advocate for agricultural technology and career and technical education, and currently serves on the board of Directors for Questar III Board of cooperative Educational Services.

Maryah Mac Donald is a local Realtor and the parent of two daughters in the district. Her dedication to community service includes volunteering with the Greenville Rescue Squad, the Greenville Fire Department, and the Columbia-Greene Board of Realtors.

Maryah brings a thoughtful, student-focused perspective and a commitment to ensuring our schools are inclusive, welcoming, and focused on learning.

The third candidate, James Bucci, ran unsuccessfully in 2022. While active in religious education and local churches, his campaign emphasizes opposing government mandates and includes religious prayers prominently on his campaign website.

One such prayer reads: “St. Michael the Archangel, defend us in battle … cast into hell Satan and all the evil spirits who prowl through the world seeking the ruin of souls. Amen.”

Our school board should prioritize evidence-based education, not religious ideology. Public education must remain a space for learning, critical thinking, and inclusivity.

Vote for David Finch and Maryah Mac Donald on Tuesday, May 20, from 1 to 9 p.m. at GCSD Elementary School.

Vote to keep the focus on education. Vote to support our teachers. Vote to protect the separation of church and state.

Elizabeth Nicosia-Britton

Rensselaerville