March 21, 2008
by Jeffrey Mester
Last year, around this time, I announced my candidacy for an open position on the Chappaqua Board of Education. That opening was created when Lisa Davis, a three-term board member, board president and long-time education advocate retired from the board. Now that I have been on the board for almost a year, I am often asked a variation of one of three questions: “Was it what you expected?” “Are you glad you did it?” and “Are you nuts?”
Emphatically and unequivocally my answer is, “YES!”
I was advised that it was a significant time commitment, that it would be highly political, that it would involve a lot of minutia, and that being an elected official was a lot of pressure. I was told that making a difference was going to be a significant uphill struggle.
To everyone who echoes those sentiments, I have but one thing to say, “Pshaw!” Don’t misunderstand me; the above thoughts are all true. But I choose to look at the glass as half full, not half empty.
Politics, minutia and pressure
Is the reaction to the high school schedule change highly political? Sure, but who can fault someone for advocating what they think is best? I certainly do not take the attacks personally, although I would like to clarify that my mother did not and does not wear combat boots.
Is there a lot of minutia? Yes, but don’t our children deserve a school system that worries about the details? The learning curve for a new board member is so steep and the amount to be absorbed so great that without the foundation of minutia the house of broad knowledge would collapse.
Did you know that the district owns 1,838 computers and 79 Smartboards? That Seven Bridges has a program to recycle Styrofoam in order to make material for a green roof? That New York State only supports 6% of the district budget? That last year, the administrative staff only used 11% of their allowable sick days? That the schools have 75 interscholastic sports teams and that 70% of the Greeley students participate?
Is being an elected official a lot of pressure? Pressure is only what you put on yourself. Is it pressuring or comforting to research an issue and contribute to a decision that has far reaching implications—knowing that you are doing what you believe to be in the best interests of the students? Is it pressure or just a challenge to always be “on” at the grocery store in case you are asked about turf on the fields (for it—if funded by private donations), standardized testing (against it), or why the girls golf team lost last week (for golf; against losing)?
Time commitment and expectations
Is the time commitment a burden? No. I spend a significant amount of time on school-related things. More than I imagined. Way more. More than I imagined, even after being warned. When the alternatives are observing classrooms where students are actively learning and demonstrating critical thinking, or calling a client asking when they are going to pay last quarter’s bill the question becomes rhetorical and the answer no. Is it a burden to attend your fourth board meeting in as many weeks, get home at 11:30 p.m. and have to reintroduce yourself to the dog who thinks you are an intruder? Well . . . never mind.
Was it what I expected? Yes and no. I expected it would take a lot of my time. I expected there would be a lot of little things that are hard to identify as directly relating to furthering education but necessary none the less. I expected the pressure that comes with making decisions in the present—the results of which are measured in the long-term. I expected that not every idea I had or vote I made would be universally applauded by the entire community.
Worth it all for the satisfaction rush
What I did not expect, nor can adequately describe here, was the immense satisfaction the board members get from seeing the results of the hours and effort put in by teachers, the administrators, the parent volunteers, the support staff and our fellow board members.
If you define success, as I do, as “maximizing potential” then you cannot imagine in your wildest dreams the pleasure derived as a board member knowing that you have in some way contributed to a student reaching his or her potential as well as acquiring a life-long love of learning because of their experiences in our schools.
Would I do it again? Yes. I have no doubt. I have no regrets. Looking back over the last year, I can honestly say that the rewards have so greatly outweighed the burdens that I would brave the political process (campaigning, interviewing with the Journal News, speaking at the League of Woman Voter’s debate, proactively asking people to vote) again in order to serve.
Am I nuts? Hmm. In the court of public opinion, I choose not to testify against myself.
Copyright 2008 NewCastleNOW.org