WPCNR WHITE PLAINS VOICE. May 16, 2004: Steve Rabinowitz, Convenor of White Plains Alliance for Vision in Education, has released a position paper on the School Board Election and Budget Vote coming up Tuesday, citywide. The three candidates contending for the three seats on the School Board are Stephen Taft, Michelle Tratoros (incumbent), and Rick Tompkins. The community is being asked to approve a $143.9 Million budget for the 2004-05 School Year. Here is the text of the Rabinowitz letter:
THREE FOR THE BOARD OF EDUCATION: Shown at the League of Women Voters Candidates Forum, May 4, are, L to R, Rick Tompkins, Stephen Taft, Michelle Tratoros. WPCNR did not report on the Forum due to a lack of substance in the proceedings. The two new candidates, Mr. Tompkins and Mr. Taft demonstrated a naivete and lack of knowledge of the City School District painful to hear without offering any specific new ideas or initiatives, except for Mr. Taft's willingness to be oppositional and a voice of reform, while Ms. Tratoros supported spending at the current school district pace to maintain the quality of the instruction to remain competitive with other School Districts. Photo by WPCNR News.
Dear Friend and Neighbor:
We would like to take a moment to share some thoughts with you on the upcoming election for the White Plains Board of Education. Like you, we are currently or have been active in various parts of the educational system here--PTA, School-Based Council, Budget Committee, and so on--because we are all first and foremost concerned with the education of our own children and the well-being of all the children of White Plains. Like you, we understand that the success of our community and the success of our schools go hand in hand.
To that end, along with others in our community in 2002 we formed a group called WAVE--the White Plains Alliance for Vision in Education--to promote the democratic process in our school district with regard to the Board of Education. Further, we seek to encourage active participation by parents and community members in making decisions that affect the educational system.
This year there are 3 candidates running for two positions on the Board of Education. After looking carefully at the qualifications, experience and public statements of all 3 we believe strong that that Richard Tompkins and Michelle Trataros are the most qualified of the three candidates for two positions in this year's Board of Education election. It is our opinion that Michelle and Rick clearly have the type of experience and credentials needed to serve successfully on the Board.
Rick Tompkins is a lifetime White Plains resident with 2 children in the White Plains schools and who has worked for some years as a realtor in the community. Rick has served on the districtıs Annual Budget Committee for 2 years. Michelle Trataros has served on the Board for 4 years, has 2 children in the district and works with a wide variety of community groups and organizations. While we have sometimes disagreed with Michelle, there is no question as to her commitment to the work of the Board during her years of service.
We are very concerned about the candidacy of Stephen Taft, the third person running for the school board. Mr. Taft has made some strongly negative statements about the Board and the Superintendent both on public websites and in various discussions he has had with residents. As such we have no confidence that he will be able to work in a cooperative and constructive way with the Board or the district administration in the future to further the interests of our children.
We urge anyone who did not attend the Candidates Forum to watch it when it shows on Channel 77 (May 14-17, at noon, 7:30 and 10 p.m.). Listen to the candidates closing statements and make up your own mind as to which candidates will be able to work cooperatively for the good of the children.
Also, we urge you to vote yes on this yearıs budget, in order to maintain the important work that the district is doing for our children, and to implement the historic initiative of bringing full-day kindergarten to all the incoming students to our schools. We need to show our continued support for the dedicated work of the district staff on all levels.
Most of all, we urge you to come out and vote, and to encourage your own friends and neighbors to do the same. Do it for our children and the future of our schools.
