Sue Rogers: Re-Elect Bernstein for Integrity on the Board of Education

Letter to the editor submitted by Sue Rogers, Oct 21, 2017

In November Greenwich voters have the opportunity to re-elect Peter Bernstein to the Board of Education.

Bernstein will bring back to the board much needed leadership and integrity, as well as continuing to produce new ideas, energy and solutions to old problems. Of the Republican candidates, Bernstein is the only candidate who exemplifies the productive, effective and respectful characteristics we desperately need.

As a former President of the Greenwich PTA Council, former chair of the Distinguished Teachers Awards Committee, past PTA President and a long-time participant in various Greenwich Public Schools’ related organizations, I have had a front seat in observing what has made, and not made, our Board of Education effective. 

In all my years of involvement with the Board, Bernstein stands out this election season for his qualities, values and impact. 

Since my children entered Greenwich Public Schools in 2003, we have had 9 Superintendents.

How can that be acceptable to any parent or taxpayer?  Replaying the Board’s history of harassing our Superintendents must stop once and for all.

You can cast your disapproval of this pattern with your vote. We need Board Members who will collaborate and support our Superintendent instead of playing “gotcha” – a typical pattern of current Board leadership this past year.

We need Board Members who will not be bullied, are willing to vote their conscience and minimize the controversy so the priority can be what it should be – THE KIDS!

A productive, responsive and collegial work environment should be a priority for the future.

Showing respect for each other and the established roles and responsibilities within the Board is key. We need Board members who do more than just show up to meetings and fill a seat or suggest obvious solutions claiming them as uniquely theirs.  

Setting an example for our children through their behavior is a simple litmus test for any candidate; it is obvious who fails in getting a passing grade. 

For all of the reasons above and more, I am supporting Peter Bernstein.

Board of Education members must listen, discuss, debate, and work together to arrive at solutions. Regrettably, it has not worked that way in the past and it has negatively impacted our schools. We should be electing Board of Education members who actually do work and collaborate for the students. 

 Over the last few years, Bernstein has shown himself to be an effective leader, quietly re-focusing the Board and guiding members to focus on the critical issues facing our schools.

Bernstein will move the needle forward for our schools. Join me in re-electing the best of our current Board members, a candidate who can and will effectively contribute to our children’s future. Vote for Peter Bernstein on November 7th

Editor’s Note: This election season, Greenwich Free Press will no longer publish every letter to the editor received.

The deadline to submit a letter to the editor for the Nov 7, 2017 election is October 30, 2017.