If elected, what are your top two priorities?
I kind of sound like a broken record here, but the two top priorities would be the facilities and the funding issue. I understand there’s committees on both of those, and I’d be interested in sitting on those.
One last thing I’d like to add: I’ve found that most things that are very difficult to do, the best skill that you can bring is just persistence. Because it’s easy to try one thing, and if it doesn’t work just move on and kind of give up. But we don’t have that option. So that’s probably the very strongest skill I have — I don’t seem to know when to give up. So in what we have to face here on the school board, I think the fact that I tend to be quite persistent about things — and just keep working on problems until they finally fall — is probably the best thing that we can do as a school board.
Tim Rogers
Why did you decide to run for school board?
This was not an easy decision. Several residents have thanked me for volunteering and many have said I must be crazy. Part of me is excited because I’m interested in the work and part of me feels we should all take turns contributing and now it’s my turn.
What experiences, skills or positions will make you a competent board member?
I attended Duzine Elementary school, the middle school, graduated from New Paltz High School High and earned an MBA in finance from NYU. I worked in investment management in New York City for nearly 20 years. Since 2007, I’ve been serving as vice chairman of the board at Writopia Lab — a non-profit providing writing workshops for teens nationally. I grew up with parents who are now-retired teachers from local public schools. I am a New Paltz parent of a four- and six-year-old.
What do you see as the greatest challenge facing the school district right now?
High-stakes testing. It feels ironic during a time when federal contributions to our local schools have dried up and New York State has provided less each year and we are being required to endure a paradigm shift to our school programs via high-stakes testing.
I believe in teacher accountability and student assessment. Teachers want to be held to the highest standards because they thrive on the satisfaction of nurturing and educating our children. There is nothing inherently wrong with testing, but overemphasizing standardized or one-size-fits-all tests makes no sense.
Students learn best when teachers have the flexibility to share their passions and unique perspectives to bring curriculum to life. The greatest teachers I had in elementary, secondary and post-secondary enjoyed a level of autonomy to craft their own lessons, which enhanced curriculum. Our local teachers need to be represented at the table in Albany whenever metrics for accountability and assessment are being discussed.
If elected, what are your top two priorities?
I have been inspired and encouraged by the work of our Legislative Action Advisory Committee, particularly the resolution on high-stakes testing passed in March. As a board of education member, I would continue to support the committee’s work and initiatives.
I believe in prudent investments in our existing facilities and preservation of the middle school. The middle school supports our community’s core, promotes walking and cycling and keeps local businesses strong. I am in favor of a version of “Conceptual Design B,” which was recently presented to the board of education by KG&D Architects regarding the district’s Comprehensive Facilities Master Plan. I would like to see an investment in the middle school that is more than a band-aid (Design A) and less than a renovation emphasizing high-tech or state-of-the-art learning. Inspired teachers who feel encouraged to contribute to curriculum in safe, energy-efficient buildings will provide us with excellent educational results for the best price. Taxpayer dollars spent on a cost-conscious version of Design B will be optimal for our community.
Meet the candidates on May 6
The Duzine/Lenape PTA will host a meet-the-candidates night for those running for the New Paltz School Board on Monday, May 6, 7 p.m., at New Paltz High School. Childcare will be available.
