To the editor:
On May 21, the Voorheesville Central School District will hold a school board election. As someone who is running for one of the two seats and has an unwavering commitment to public education, I would like to ask for your support.
My family has lived in Voorheesville for 12 years. His wife, Erica, is an occupational therapist, and his daughters, Molly and Abby, are juniors and sophomores at Clayton A. Bouton High School. I'm a lawyer and work for the New York State United Teachers Association.
In that capacity, I primarily practice in the fields of education, labor, employment, public administration, and constitutional law. Prior to that, I worked at a law firm in Syracuse, where I practiced in much the same area of ​​law, but also represented families and students in special education matters.
I truly believe in public education. That may seem like a trite statement, but it means a lot to me. I am proud of my accomplishments in public education, and my father was a public school teacher for over 20 years.
Education is undoubtedly one of the most important services provided by taxpayers and should be protected, maintained and improved with all our will and strength. As a member of the Board, that is what I strive to do.
My qualifications for the board go beyond my passions and interests. Not only do I have knowledge of education law and policy, but I also have extensive experience working with other boards and organizations, such as the Clinton Community College Foundation, of which I serve as chair, and have Assets are $414 million.
As a member of the Voorheesville School Board, I am vigilant, reflective, curious, and committed to always listening and learning, especially on issues where others have more expertise than I do. I intend to do my best.
The next few years in education are likely to be active and exciting. For example, the state Department of Education's Board of Governors recently established a Blue Ribbon Commission to study and rethink the state's graduation requirements.
The commission released its recommendations in November 2023, and the board may consider and implement changes that require the cooperation and involvement of the school board in the coming months and years. I believe that I can be a resource in that process.
As part of the process of becoming adults, we have a solemn duty to work every day to leave our children a society in which they can feel safe and be proud.
Similarly, as Marian Wright Edelman poignantly put it, “Education is about improving the lives of others and making your community and world better than you ever imagined.” And that's exactly what I did. is what I want to be a part of as a voice for the Voorheesville community.
I look forward to meeting as many of you as possible between now and May 21st and answering your questions about my candidacy and ideas.
Matt Bergeron, Voorheesville School Board Candidate