Today You Can Vote For Better

Today is the annual School Board and School Budget’s Election Day. We ask you to consider voting today for re-election and new election of Board of Education Trustees and for the upcoming school year’s budget. Our endorsements favor Antoinette Darden-Cintron for re-election as she has improved communication, transparency and openness as the President of the School Board and works in education. We also endorse Kiana Washington and Eric Bitterman as both of these candidates also work in education and have much community involvement.

This year the race has seven candidates running for three seats. While Mr Williams is currently seeking re-election after serving 18 years on the Board, we believe he should step aside until after his current hearing has concluded. Regardless, three other candidates (Valin, Lazzari and Thomas) appear to be endorsing him. If true, we find their endorsement of him difficult to accept as there is so much controversy surrounding him and his actions. At best they should reserve comment about him.

Likewise, the Teachers Union have endorsed these same three non-educator candidates. While any union is free to endorse candidates, the candidates should have refused the endorsement as it puts those candidates in a compromised position during contract negotiations, disciplinary hearings, etc. It may also mean that the candidates, should they win, are not beholden to the taxpaying public, but to the union. So, while there has not been any impropriety, it sets up a slippery slope that we’d prefer the candidates avoid. By the way, the unions’ job is to negotiate for its members, not the children or the taxpayers.

The candidates in total are Antoinette Darden-Cintron*, Chris Valin, Eric Bitterman, Jamaal Thomas, Sarah Lazzari, Kiana Washington, and Terry Williams.** We suggest casting you vote for Ms Darden-Cintron, Ms Washington and Mr Bitterman. With the exception of Mr Williams, we hope whomever the winners are will do what’s best for our school district, our children, the taxpayers and community. Regardless of endorsements, we wish them all well. It’s how we’ll get A Better Greenburgh school district.

* Current School Board President in first term.

** Current School Board Trustee of 18 years.