Dear Editor:
The School Board elections are next Tuesday. The Board’s majority promised last year to “lower our taxes by eliminating waste within the district; improve student test scores in the district by placing greater emphasis on consistent classroom learning protocols; provide schooling to Hoboken residents with an understanding that a smaller district is a better, much nimbler, effective and efficient district.”
As I reflect over the past 12 months, I am encouraged that Kids First and the “wheels of change” are moving us forward.
Kids First continues to chip away at years of abuses within the district and can point to many successes. The Kids First team has uncovered misappropriation of $1.6 million; cut $4 million from the budget and eliminated unnecessary positions and service deficits. They have implemented a new district-wide curriculum and have hired educational experts (who aren’t simply political appointees) to focus on improving test scores.
I am asking you to support the 2010 Kids First candidates of Jean Marie Mitchell (active PTO member), Leon Gold (professor at Columbia University), Irene Sobolov (active PS parent and voice for reform) and Rose Marie Markle (current Kids First School Board President).
These candidates are successful in their own right, and bring progressive skill sets to the table. They have demonstrated a commitment to our public schools by attending school board meetings to understand the current issues, and as such they are ready to hit the ground running in continuing the Kids First mission—that is, to right size Hoboken Public Schools while improving the results. On Tuesday April 20, 2010 please vote the Kids First slate.
(1B) Jean Marie Mitchell
(1A) Leon Gold
(2B) Irene Sobolov
(4A) Rose Marie Markle
Thank you for your consideration,
Peter Cunningham, 5th Ward City Councilman