Robin Jacobwitz planting flowers at Anna Devine Garden day
I attended the debate at Miller Middle school for the candidates running for Kingston School board and all I can say is : Wow!
This year there are a lot of great candidates running for the board of education. To be very honest, all of the candidates running bring a lot to the table. The candidates forum lasted about two in a half hours and a variety of topics were covered from curriculum, to the future of the facilities in the district and of course how to deal with the unfair way upstate New York funds education through property taxes.
Another topic that frequently came up was the hiring of a new superintendent. The main role of a school board trustee is the hiring of a superintendent of schools and there is no question everyone on that stage tonight realized how important that task was and that's a good thing.
There are nine candidates running for four seats. The top three vote getters will receive a full three year term and the fourth highest vote getter will fill out the remaining term of the late Dr. David Fletcher.
Out of the nine candidates, I was most impressed with Robin Jacobwitz, Madeline Hoetger, Kathleen Collins and Maureen Bowers.
I encourage readers of this blog to consider supporting those candidates but please give a lot of consideration to Robin Jacobwitz who really stood out tonight.
A little bit about Mrs. Jacobwitz from Freeman Website:
Mrs. Jacobwitz a 40-year-old adjunct professor of education policy at SUNY New Paltz, wants a superintendent with “systemic vision” and experience working with a diverse population, preferably in another small city.
Jacobowitz, whose degrees include a master’s in education from Harvard and a doctorate in public administration from New York University, also cited as a top priority ensuring a “thoughtful, respectful, deliberate” process for transitioning the district from 11 to 10 elementary schools — not only for students and families, but also for staff.
She said the process will affect many more families than those who live in the Meagher neighborhood because elementary school attendance zones will be redrawn. Keeping costs down and maintaining quality educational programming also are priorities, she said.
Jacobowitz, who also works as a freelance education research consultant, has been active in the Anna Devine Elementary School Parent-Teacher Association, served as the grant application writer for the school’s garden and chaired the school’s Garden Committee. She lives on Old Post Road in Rifton with her husband, attorney Michael Sweeney, and four children, ages 8, 5 and 3-year-old twins.
3 comments:
Robin is brilliant. Kingston is lucky to have her.
Yes, I was at Miller too and Robin stood out as the most qualified thoughtful articulate candidate. We are fortunate she is willing to serve us. Vote for Robin on May 17th
Kathleen Collins is the only candidate with both fiscal/business experience and educational experience. She spoke to the issues in a practical rather than a philosophical way. She has worked tirelessly in our schools and deserves our vote.
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