Along with an $88.3 million budget, voters in the Bethlehem Central School District will be selecting two people to sit on the 7-member Board of Education. Five candidates have come forward this year, including one incumbent, with hopes of securing a three-year term.
The Spotlight issued a brief questionnaire to all candidates. Additionally, the public will on Wednesday, May 12, have an opportunity to ask questions of the candidates at a debate hosted by the Albany County League of Women Voters. The debate will begin at 7 p.m. at Bethlehem Middle School. Those in attendance may submit written questions to the moderator before the start of the debate.
Chris Bergere
As a former teacher and Montessori school board member, and current school administrator, I believe that these experiences enable me to assist the school district with difficult decisions. I am a parent of three children in the district – one elementary and two in high school -and am committed to quality educational opportunities for all students at all grade levels. My goal is work collaboratively with the school board and district to assure that Bethlehem’s academic excellence remains strong and prepares our students with the 21st century skills that they will need to be successful in an increasingly competitive society and world.
Why are you running for school board?
I am running for school board to serve the Bethlehem school district and community to the best of my abilities. Our district is faced with unparalled challenges as financial resources diminish while the demand for quality educational programming increases.
If elected, what do you hope to accomplish?
If elected it is my hope to support the existing high quality programming Bethlehem offers its students, while encouraging current and future academic excellence and growth – an immense challenge as we prepare our students for success in the 21st century marketplace.
What is you opinion of the 2010-11 school budget?
Regarding next year’s budget, I think it’s extremely important for the community to support the proposed budget. If not, many programs will be compromised and Bethlehem’s commitment to excellence will be further compromised beyond the sacrifices already made in preparing next year’s budget.
What would you bring to the school board?
I would bring to the school board a perspective that encompasses over twenty years of public educational experience within a variety of educational settings. These experiences enable me to understand the salient educational issues impacting our district and community’s educational decision-making and to provide important input into this process.
Free response
School districts are faced with unique challenges to build upon existing excellence. While this is the case, it is my opinion that our community will continue to strive to give our students additional educational opportunities to be successful – now and in the future. It is my hope to be part of this process.
Jennifer Bliss
My name is Jennifer Bliss. (I also answer to Jeni Quackenbush.) I hold degrees from Michigan State University and Fordham Law School.
Through most of the 1990’s, I was an Assistant District Attorney in Manhattan. I no longer practice law. I have served part time as a public arbitrator for FINRA since 2002.
I have volunteered with the Jump Start reading program since 2006. I was BC’s district Jump Start coordinator for two years. I have also served as a parent member of BCSD’s Committee for Special Education and on the board of the Delmar Track and Field Club.
Why are you running for school board?
This fall my oldest son will begin BCHS, my daughter will be at BCMS and my youngest will be at Slingerlands Elementary. It’s an exciting time and school is a central element of our lives right now. I want a part in shaping the next years in their education.
If elected, what do you hope to accomplish?
I have no agenda beyond maintaining our current standards throughout this downturn without further burdening the taxpayers. There are no easy answers to this. One thing we need to do is to put more pressure on the state regarding unfunded mandates.
What is you opinion of the 2010-11 school budget?
Considering the loss of state aid, I’m impressed that the proposed budget kept the tax increase down to less than 4 percent. However, I am distressed by the loss of teachers.
What would you bring to the school board?
My work experiences as a prosecutor and an arbitrator have relied on my ability to evaluate facts and make difficult decisions. I also bring the perspectives of a literacy volunteer, the special needs community and youth athletics.
Free response
Academics and athletics are not mutually exclusive. My kids are into sports. But we need to rethink how we finance them. If the booster clubs and other groups get involved in how to either cut their own budgets or raise the difference, everyone gets a better result.
Michael Cooper
A resident of Bethlehem for 21 years, I am Director of Publications, Rockefeller Institute of Government, University at Albany. My wife, Laura, is a Special Education teacher. I have two sons: Brian, graduating college in May, and Alex, graduating from BCHS in June. I was actively involved in the Hamagrael PTA and editor of the Middle School and High School newsletters. I have been a Board member with Bethlehem Youth Hockey and Varsity Hockey Boosters (President the last two years). I served the last three years on the Consistory of Delmar Reformed Church, last year as Head Deacon.
Why are you running for school board?
Having been a participant in the budget forums during the last two years, I believe the crisis in funding for education is an ongoing issue that requires active participation by the stakeholders and citizens to ensure that funding cuts do not deny our youth of the education they deserve.
If elected, what do you hope to accomplish?
I would like to see our Board of Education and District Staff conduct a thorough review of all expenses to identify where we can cut to least impact on the quality of the educational program. This is not an easy task and requires the input and cooperation of multiple stakeholders.
What is you opinion of the 2010-11 school budget?
The loss is teaching and staff positions is regrettable and we must ensure that we don’t continue to make cuts that reduce the educational experiences of our students. In order to turn out well-rounded citizens, we must retain the ancillary programs when they can be funded.
What would you bring to the school board?
As a board member in other organizations, I pride myself on my ability to work with a range of individuals to find solutions. I prefer to focus on tasks and solutions, and would like to bring these skills to help our district maintain a strong educational program.
Free response
The dire fiscal condition of our state requires that school districts increasingly think outside the box to provide a strong education in the face of reduced funding. Bethlehem has long prided itself on its educational excellence. We must all work together to continue this for future generations.
Jonathan Fishbein
A district resident for almost 20 years, Jonathan Fishbein received a BA in Accounting, with honors, from Fairleigh Dickinson University, and a JD from Benjamin Cardozo Law School. His wife, Paula, has been a speech-pathologist with BCSD for 15 years. They have a daughter in 6th and a son in 9th grade. Mr. Fishbein, an appellate attorney in private practice, has served the NYS Office of Court Administration as a Fee Dispute Arbitrator for 15 years. He is a Certified Mediator, Arbitrator, Secretary of the Mediation Matters Board, and served on the Congregation Beth Emeth Education and Curriculum Review Committees.
Why are you running for school board?
I want to make a difference, to help grow the Board’s ability to view issues from different perspectives, and to develop budgets that achieve a balance that includes the needs of taxpayers, seniors on fixed incomes, parents, students, and teachers. My experience can help bring that balance to the Board.
If elected, what do you hope to accomplish?
A more proactive School Board, and a more balanced approach to school funding to keep senior citizens and those on fixed incomes in our community. The Board should begin planning budgets 2 to 5 years ahead, and using zero sum budgeting so that every dollar budgeted is justified.
What is you opinion of the 2010-11 school budget?
I support the proposed budget, and the Board should be commended for making difficult choices without legislative action on a state budget or expectation as to State finding. However, I remain concerned about some of the academic reductions and their impact on the quality of the education offered.
What would you bring to the school board?
As a certified mediator for almost 20 years, I bring to the Board an ability to seek out win-win solutions to often vexing problems. As an attorney, I have often created solutions for clients by not only thinking outside the box, but by looking at a situation from different perspectives.
Free response.
Having attended many Board meetings, there were times when it appeared that the Board had received incomplete or inaccurate information. The flow of that information is often controlled by the administration. If elected I will work to make sure that the Board is fully informed before decisions are made.
Diane Giacone-Stever
Diane Giacone Stever was first elected to the Board of Education in May 2007. A lifelong district resident, she has been a special education teacher for Questar III BOCES for 18 years. She holds a bachelor’s degree from SUNYBrockport and a master’s degree from The College of St. Rose. Diane and her husband Pat have been local business owners (Andriano’s Pizza) for 12 years. She has served on the Bethlehem Pop Warner Board for the past 11 years. Diane has three children. Sean attends the University at Albany. Katie and Samantha are BCMS students.
Why are you running for school board?
I have loved serving on the board for the last three years. It’s been a productive and rewarding experience to be part of the decision making process. It’s been a busy challenging term, including the Superintendent search, the opening of Eagle Elementary, and redistricting.
If elected, what do you hope to accomplish?
I want to continue to work on creative initiatives that will provide the best educational experiences for our students and to keep them competitive in this changing economy. At the same time I want to continue to explore other revenue producing alternatives rather than tax increases.
What is your opinion of the 2010-11 school budget?
This budget reflects our current economic climate. It was a difficult year given state aid reductions. This resulted in tough decisions and difficult budget cuts. The Board worked diligently to develop a budget that maintained student programs at a tax rate the community could support. I think we did that.
What would you bring to the school board?
I bring the experience of a current board member, parent, educator and local business owner to the table. I have the experience and insight required to be an effective and productive member. I listen to all viewpoints, weighing the strengths and weaknesses of individual arguments to make my independent decisions.
Free response
During my present term, I’ve listened to community concerns, weighed options and worked with the other Board members to develop solutions. I will continue to be a committed and dedicated board member. I encourage everyone to review the budget proposal and candidates. Please remember to vote on Tuesday, May 18.
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