Dr Tanya Dragic For GCSD School Board

For the past six months, I’ve been speaking to residents, parents, teachers, former Board members and old friends about our schools. I have been pouring over statistics, budgets, and education policies, reading historic articles and remembering my own experiences. In the 1970s and ‘80s, when I was living and going to school here, the student body was truly diverse and mostly middle-class. Greenburgh schools educated their students effectively. Today, 63% of our students are socio-economically disadvantaged and 80% are minorities. This feeds indifference and prejudice towards our schools.

Most parents who can afford it – regardless of race or ethnicity – either leave the District or send their children to private schools. Those children who remain in Greenburgh Schools, and who live in economically comfortable homes with involved parents, generally do well. Those who live in economically disadvantaged households without supportive parenting, generally do not do well. These are the children whose educational disparities we must address, while also supporting those who are doing well. If we can raise the achievement level of those in the middle and the bottom of the academic spectrum, the performance of the entire district will obviously improve.

How can we raise test scores, increase graduation rates and college-attendance? How do we help the average Greenburgh student acquire the knowledge and skills for success? We have a significant school budget and we need to use our resources as effectively as possible. For this, we have to have a strong and united leadership that serves the best interest of the students and the community. I hope that on Tuesday you vote for me. I am a member of your community and an alumnus of the District. I am an educated parent and an educator. I know the skills that students need to do well in school, in college and in their professional lives. I would like to be the voice that advocates for you and education, here in Greenburgh’s public schools. This is my platform:

- We need to hire administrators with a strong track record of improving student performance.

- We need highly-qualified teachers. They should either have experience or be trained to work with our student demographic. Their contracts should be competitive, so that they REMAIN with us.

- We need to make sure that academic support programs are working, and that they are being used by the students who need them the most.

- We need to support the social and emotional development of students, especially those with difficulties at home.

- Parents, teachers and students should be empowered to WORK TOGETHER.

- Beyond that, we need to embrace everyone in the community who is willing to volunteer in our schools to provide academic or emotional support.

- In fact, we need to embrace neighboring districts to share resources and to learn from them.

- And finally, we need to repair and maintain our buildings so that they are a safe and comfortable learning environment.

Thank you for your support and your vote!