Scott Zeidman and Laura Chardiet are the two candidates I actively endorse for the School Board in the Nov. 8 election.
Having had the opportunity to speak with Scott, Laura and Nancy Goldberg, I believe the best choices for our district in this election are Scott and Laura.
Others have written about Scott’s achievements during his first term. Key among them from my perspective is that he has fulfilled just about every campaign promise he made when first he ran.
Scott has been visible, accessible, responsive to all, perhaps more so than any other Board member in the last decade. He has summoned enough collaboration from among other Board members to stop the rubber stamping of the District, has presented options and directed the District towards specific results.
The turning of the Titanic has not been an easy feat. Much remains to be done. Scott has also learned and demonstrated not making hasty decisions.
He has saved layoff notices that proved unnecessary by refusing District-led recommendations, waiting until better information was available.
For these and already stated reasons, I believe Scott deserves another term to continue turning around the Titanic and aiding our students in the course.
Laura comes to the campaign with broader and deeper skill sets than any candidate in recent memory, including Scott!
As a School Board member, one is more engaged in running the ship rather than running the engine room. The learning curve has proved daunting for many.
I have observed very hard working and smart individuals joining the Board and still taking over a year to grasp the functions and develop the knowledge base to address the wide assortment of issues.
And still they have difficulty addressing the ever shrinking budget. Laura comes from the teacher’s shoes. She has walked as an administrator, she manages a $15 million government grant…likely to be the size of our District budget eventually if the state stays on the current course…
And as a parent she has driven the PTA at the grade level and district level as well as having sat on the former Community Budget Advisory Committee. Laura is head and shoulders better qualified for the position than the next best candidate and deserves the opportunity to serve on our School Board.
I urge you to vote as will I on Nov. 8 for Scott Zeidman and Laura Chardiet for School Board.
Mr. Elmont, a former candidate for the School Board, may be contacted at aelmont@ca.rr.com
