Over the past several years, I have had the opportunity to meet many people, but I'd like to introduce myself to anyone who may not know me. Volunteering and advocating for children are not new to me. 

​

I was raised by a single mom, and as the youngest of 4 kids, I grew up an underdog. As the mother of 3 children, I was actively involved in their education in the North Merrick public school District and immersed myself in volunteerism. I began attending school board meetings when my first child was in kindergarten. I worked my way through the PTA, eventually becoming president. I was a Girl Scout leader for 7 years and a Boy Scout leader for 1 year. I also coached a differently-abled baseball youth league. Throughout my years of service, I have been a child advocate, especially for underdogs, as I was as a child. 

​

I served on the North Merrick School Board for 9 years, and on Bellmore Merrick Central High School Board for 5 years. I worked with 3 superintendents, collaborated in the hiring of one superintendent and countless administrators, negotiated multiple contracts, written superintendent evaluations and policies, and oversaw work for two bonds, one in each District. For a time, I worked as an adjunct facilitator for the New York State School Board Association.  In that role, I trained school boards in conflict resolution and how to be effective without overstepping their roles. I have and continue to mentor many current Board Trustees and those wishing to become Board Trustees. 

​

As a Trustee, I was an independent voice. Every decision I made was guided by two questions: 1) Is it good for kids? and 2) Can the budget support it? Putting kids and taxpayers first, as well as being accessible, transparent and trustworthy, is what led to my success.

​

In 2020, I moved to Amityville. A friend brought me to a school board meeting where the Board added one million dollars into the budget rather than attempt to trim it in an effort to save taxpayer dollars. I was shocked. 

​

I ran for the school board in 2021, not expecting to win, but using the platform to present myself as a resource for matters relating to school boards. I have attended almost every board meeting since 2020, sometimes as the sole attendee. I was instrumental in bringing the At Large voting proposition onto this year's ballot. I also advocated for over a year for the District to live-stream meetings for a more engaged community, which they now do. 

​

I am running now because I think my extensive knowledge and experience can help improve the situation in Amityville. There is no quick fix to the multitude of issues plaguing the District, but because of my background as a Trustee, and because I regularly attend meetings and have a grasp of the issues, there will be no learning curve once I am elected. I can jump right in and begin working. I am a licensed property and casualty commercial insurance broker with multi-million-dollar clients. Insurance is a business of never-ending deadlines, negotiations, and relationship-building. Those business skills transfer to school boards.

 

I promise to listen and respond to the concerns of our community and work collaboratively with fellow board members to improve our schools, serving the best interests of all our children as my guiding principle. I want to protect our taxpayers and ensure our budgets maximize the resources for our children while minimizing the burden on taxpayers. I won't tax seniors living on fixed incomes and people aspiring to be homeowners right out of the community.

​

I am committed to operating in transparency,  to optimize community engagement, and empowering parents to advocate for their children. I want to raise the bar for our students and our staff. They need Trustees who believe in them and support them.  I promise that every vote I make will be an honest, good faith vote for students and taxpayers of Amityville. 

​

It would be an honor to serve on the Board of Education and be YOUR voice.

 

I look forward to earning your vote on May 21st.