Why did you decide to run again for the Highland School Board?
I believe when I ran for the Board of Education three years ago, myself and the other candidates had some very specific goals: to improve community relations internally and externally, to highlight many of the wonderful educational experiences that teachers and students are engaged in, and to collaboratively work with our bargaining units and negotiate contracts that reduce costs over the long term. I believe the seven current members of the Highland Board of Education have achieved these goals, and I’m proud to be a part of it.
Aside from that, I have three wonderful boys, all of whom attend Highland Elementary School, so keeping the school district running in a positive direction is very important to me.
Lastly, while I am a big supporter of public education, the state Department of Education is at a critical crossroad. Politics and big business have invaded, in a negative way, the running of public education to include the Board of Regents and the State Education Department. Privatizing education is not the way to “fix” education, and the new regulations over the last few years have done nothing to improve the quality of education, but rather have created a quagmire in Albany that is felt around the state of New York. As a member of the Board of Education, I reject the legislation of the last several years that has pitted school teacher against school administrator, parent against school and school stakeholders against their state government. The legislation has tossed aside the rights of school boards to manage their schools as given to them by the New York State constitution.
What skills/experience/qualifications do you have that make you a competent member of the board?
While education happens to be my career as a school administrator, the skill that has helped me the most is listening; to listen to school stakeholders and be sure I have as much “accurate” information as possible prior to making a decision. The last three years have taught me much about local government and the running of a school district. It gave me a much different perspective — to my surprise, since I work as a school administrator — but being a member of the Board of Education was truly an education all in itself. The past three years have helped me both personally and professionally and I believe the next three years, through knowledge gained and additional maturity, I am in a better position to contribute and help Highland schools continue on the positive path they are on.
What do you see as the top three challenges facing the Highland district at this time?
The top three challenges to me are very clear. One: Manage the construction capital budget that was generously approved by our community to be on time and on budget. Two: Continue improving the image of the school district through quality programming and highlighting accomplishments by students and staff. Three: Leveraging the cost of our quality educational programs against the ability of our community to pay.
What will be your top three priorities in your next term on the board?
My three priorities for the Highland Central School District are to continue advocating for the local control that we have lost in recent years and to return to a philosophy of the “whole child,” not just a test score; to continue to set high expectations for our administrators, teachers and staff, which I am proud to say they do every day; and to work as a team with our other local government entities to assure the best services for the Highland community and make them affordable so that my boys can someday raise their families here and not move out of the state due to affordability, as so many have in recent years.
Edward Meisel
Edward Meisel is a longtime resident of Highland. He is a former educator in the Highland Central School District and has two children. He works as a freelance writer. “Primarily, however, I am a “domestic engineer” or “stay-at-home dad,” he says, “as well as a fairly decent cook if my children are to be believed.” Meisel has held elected positions on theater and arts councils in the past, but this is his first foray into elected office in the educational field.
Why are you interested in being on the Highland School Board?
I have been a resident of Highland for almost 25 years and my wife, AnnMarie, was born and raised here in Highland. We have two sons who are currently students in the district. As a family, we believe strongly in being active members of the community in which we live, especially through service and volunteerism. When several different individuals approached me about running for the upcoming vacant seat on the Highland School Board, I saw this as a viable opportunity to further contribute positively to both the community and district.
What skills/experience/qualifications do you have that will make you a competent member of the board?
My experience and education as a writer and freelance journalist have contributed to my skills as an effective communicator with an analytical mindset. I worked for several years in Highland as an educator for the Highland Central School District until our son was born extremely premature with cerebral palsy and subsequently required significant aid at home. Although I reluctantly resigned my position to take care of his special needs, I remain proud of the students whose lives I was able to touch and grateful to the families who gave me the opportunity to do so.
What do you see as the top challenges facing the Highland district at this time?
The top challenge facing the Highland district is, of course, a financial one. Increasing demands by the state government, coupled with decreasing financial support, places significant stress on the district as well as its taxpayers. As the economy continues to struggle, so do our residents. Such struggles can easily breed contention and animosity. The current board has done a wonderful job of lessening the tensions that once were so prevalent and unproductive, but it is my sincere belief that the ties between the district and the community it serves can be further strengthened. My experiences throughout the years have taught me that Highland is filled with wonderfully hard-working and big-hearted people who at their core do not lack generosity, but rightfully insist that their tax funds are used responsibly and with discretion.
What will be your top three priorities?
My top priority will be to learn. As a newcomer I will have much to acclimate to regarding New York State laws and Highland’s application of them. I will first focus on listening and learning from the current board and will likewise strive to listen and learn from the members of our community.
