What do you see as the biggest challenge (or challenges) facing the district?
As a school district, we are constantly presented with new challenges. The key to being on the board is to recognize these challenges and try to come up with solutions that are in the best interests of our students and taxpayers.
Dealing with Albany is tough. They continue to shove things at us that do not make sense for our district. We do not need additional testing to show that what they are doing is correct.
The tax cap always creates challenges. Albany has told us that we can only increase taxes by a certain percentage. The problem here is that we are forced to sometimes cut back on programs due to the limitations of the cap. I am not making the argument that we should be able to increase taxes as much as we want, but there are times the cap can hurt our students and district.
The district must address its facilities. This year the board has been able to create and present a plan for the future of our district. Creating this plan was not easy at all. As a district, we must take the initiative to act and protect our future. In the long run, it is fiscally sound to make smaller payments over time versus scrambling to find funds when you need them.
What are your top two priorities if elected? How would you enact them?
Presently, my top two priorities are the facilities projects and financial oversight.
With respect to the facilities project, I believe the key to this is going to move forward as a board and communicate the plan to the taxpayers of the district.
I believe that continuing oversight on the finances of the district is a must. As a board, we do the best we can to keep an eye on the finances. I am not sure how many people have noticed this, but at budget time I go down every line item and question changes that take place. The district and the board need to ask, “What is this change? What is this for?” My goal is to continue to do this and ask if we can do it a better way.
Aimee Gertler Hemminger
Why did you decide to run for the Board of Education?
I am running for school board because I care deeply about public education and I believe strongly in its importance to our community.
I was born and raised in New Paltz and chose to stay and raise my own family here. The reason for this decision was my desire for our children to benefit from the terrific schools — as well as wanting to continue contributing as a member of this town and community.
I feel like it’s my turn to give back.
What experiences, skills or previous jobs will make you a competent board member?
I have past and current board experience. For three years, I was a member of the Huguenot Street Cooperative Nursery School Board, two of which I served as president.
Currently, I am a member of the New Paltz Recreation Soccer Board and the Reformed Church of New Paltz Consistory. From these experiences I have developed skills that enable me to manage diverse opinions and build consensus.
What do you see as the biggest challenge (or challenges) facing the district?
The most pressing challenge is that of the present condition and safety of our buildings.
In response to an error made by the project architects, the capital project has been removed from the ballot. Decisions will need to be made regarding how to move forward.
What are your top two priorities if elected? How would you enact them?
If elected, my first goal would be to work with the other board members to do what is necessary to move the capital project forward.
Other priorities would include ensuring the educational needs of our students are met while being sensitive to the concerns of the taxpayers, tackling the impact of high-stakes testing on our district — including teachers and students — and protecting the privacy of our students.
Steve Greenfield
Why did you decide to run for the Board of Education?
I have been working with people and non-profits that advocate for a better climate for local decision-making and tax restructuring. After three years, it’s time to bring what I’ve learned, and the relationships I’ve built, back to the board side of the table for the benefit of our students and taxpayers.
I may not have chosen to do so at just this time were it not for my concerns about the two incumbents’ consistent refusal to respond to a flurry of outside interference with our educational system, student privacy, aggressive tax-shifting even further upon local homeowners and their major fumble of the revelation of malfeasance by consultants overseeing a $55 million capital project that it was their preference to pass along to voters without investigation.
They have voted on the wrong side of every resolution brought forth to defend our district, students, infrastructure and taxpayers alike. Based on my observation of their performance during their terms, including the three years I was on the board working closely with Mr. Rausch, neither of them are committed to the amount of work required to navigate the choppy and increasingly unpredictable waters through which politicians in Washington, Albany and their mandate-seeking corporate donors are forcing on us.
The public needs this board firing on all seven cylinders, not just five, all of whom are in their first or second year of service, and still gaining experience to match their exemplary levels of commitment.
It is my intent, should it be the majority’s will, to bring my experience, skills and work ethic to provide better service, and a more collaborative relationship with the other board members, employees and administration than they have been receiving. The times demand it and our kids deserve it.
