Editor, The Spotlight;
I am a candidate seeking election to the Bethlehem Central School District Board of Education (BOE) and I am writing to introduce myself to the District’s residents and to ask for your support on May 20, when our District has the opportunity to approve the 2014-15 School Budget and to elect 3 School Board Members.
I am currently serving on the Bethlehem BOE, having been appointed to this position to complete a vacated Board seat in the fall of 2013. After serving for eight months, I am seeking my first full term on the BOE.
I have 4 children currently attending District schools – one at the elementary level, one at the middle school, and two at the high school. I am a tremendous advocate of our excellent School District, which is highly ranked in our region, our state and our nation. With school-aged children, I know first hand the vital importance of maintaining this excellent academic status and believe that it is the Board’s role and responsibility to create and support strategic policies for the District that will assure our school system’s continued success.
I have been an active and engaged participant in Board discussions on the development of the budget, the creation of school policies, District operational planning, and curriculum development. My professional background as a chief executive with responsibility for state and federal policy development, advocacy, and governance provide me with a great foundation to be an active and contributory participant in all of these discussions. I also have a long and robust track record as a volunteer in our community, supporting my children’s activities through leadership on their sport’s booster organizations, active engagement supporting our PTA initiatives, support and fundraising efforts on behalf of Bethlehem’s recreational sports activities, leadership as a former Board Member of the Bethlehem Youth Hockey organization, and as a current leader of the Bethlehem Central Athletic Association.
I am seeking election to the Board of Education because I feel I have skills, talents, temperament, and intellectual capacity that add value to the Board’s discussions on tough topics that aim to improve our schools and continue our standing as a top-tier School District in the State. This is a vital goal as our District’s schools are a tremendous asset to our community – driving up property values and being a large part of why Bethlehem is a desirable place to live. But the most fundamental reason that I am seeking a term on the BOE is because I believe that having children currently attending school at every level – from the Elementary level to High School – is a valuable asset at the Board table, providing a vital parent perspective in the Board’s discussions.
I ask for your vote on May 20 and look forward to continuing to work hard to serve our School District and our community.
Joanne Cunningham Delmar
