Former Greenwich Board of Ed Members Reveal Who They Support for Election

Having served on the Board of Education for a combined nine years as well as a number of corporate and charitable boards, we know firsthand the qualities of an effective Board member.  We believe that Democratic candidates Debbie Appelbaum and Laura Erickson and Republican candidates Peter Bernstein and Brian Peldunas have these qualities and we are endorsing them for election.

While on the BOE we witnessed how the Board’s agenda can be hijacked by one individual with a personal agenda. We also saw the of use innuendo and falsehoods to create confusion about issues in the press and with the public. When this occurs, progress comes to a grinding halt 

A change is needed when debates turn into personal attacks, Administration feels under siege and corrosive personalities become the focus of all conversations.  Just as two years ago, we once again have a candidate running for re-election who believes this behavior is acceptable.

An effective board functions through constructive debate, informed questioning, a shared sense of purpose and a willingness to work together to achieve a better future.  Greenwich voters must send a message that they want a Board who will collectively confront the challenges facing the District, starting with supporting the Superintendent.  The Town is ill served by yet one more Superintendent feeling attacked by individual Board members.

Debbie, Laura, Peter and Brian have the personal attributes to be effective, respectful Board members.  We urge Greenwich voters to join us in electing a new, productive BoE for our children.

(Editor’s note: More letters to the editor regarding Greenwich elections may be found in our elections and government categories.

Greenwich Patch will publish election-related letters to the editor through Oct. 31.  To be considered for publication, letters must be submitted by 5 p.m., Thursday, Oct. 30, 2013.)