Somers School Board Candidate: Donna Rosenblum

Five residents are running for three open seats on the Somers Central School Board of Education, and the vote is next week. 

Voters will go to the polls on May 21, casting their ballots from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. at the middle school gymnasium. Voters will decide on a $83,545,682 spending plan, with a tax rate of $151.95 for each $1,000 of assessed value, a jump of 3.61 percent over this year’s $146.66 — for the 2013-2014 academic year.

The candidates are: current trustee Ifay Chang; Donna Rosenblum, who was appointed to the Somers school board in January after Anthony Cirieco resigned from his position to serve on the Somers Town Board; Joseph Marra; Karen Frieri and Richard Wagner.

Patch reached out to each candidate who replied to the same set of questions. Here are Donna Rosenblum's answers:

Patch: Why are you running for the Somers school board?

Rosenblum: I am running for the Somers school board because I am a strong believer in public education and care deeply about our schools and our students.  My children have been in the district since kindergarten and are now in 8th and 10th grade. Despite their differences in personality, aptitude, and interests, they have each had great experiences. I am very thankful for that and would like to contribute my skills and abilities to help Somers continue to strive for excellence.

Patch: Why should district residents elect you to the position?

Rosenblum: I have first-hand knowledge and experiences with all four schools in our district. Additionally, I believe that I have the personal traits that make an effective board member, including being analytical, inquisitive, detail-oriented, and collaborative.  he experiences which I have gained as a replacement trustee will serve me well as a permanent board member. 

Patch: What experiences – either personal or professional – do you have that make you a strong candidate to serve on the Somers school board?

Rosenblum: Since I was selected as a replacement trustee in January, I have gained valuable experiences by participating in all board meetings as well as completing formal training in fiscal oversight. 

My professional background provides me with valuable experiences for a school board member. My occupation as a market researcher was devoted to understanding the needs of a consumer and customer base and making sure their voices were heard by the organization that was serving them. I would use these skills to work closely with the community and to convey their needs to the board. I also have extensive experience with managing large budgets, making human resource decisions, and public speaking.

Patch: What do you consider the top three concerns in the school district?

Rosenblum:  I have two major concerns that effect all public schools and one specific to Somers. 

After the Newton tragedy in January, school safety is my first concern. Creating a safe learning environment must be the highest priority. I feel it is important to implement security measures in a way that does not inhibit learning and makes our children feel safe. 

My second concern is regarding legislative trends. Recent trends in legislation are shifting control away from local communities towards state and federal regulators. Examples of this include APPR (how teachers are evaluated), common core standards, and the 2% tax levy. Many of the policies are well intentioned; however there are many complications and unintended consequences when these policies are implemented (see my response on tax levy cap question).

A specific concern I have for Somers is that we remain nimble enough to adjust to the fairly dramatic changes between our schools’ populations in the next few years. Our resources are scarce and we must ensure that they are being utilized to the greatest benefit.

Patch: What is your tentative plan to address those issues?

Rosenblum: In our efforts to ensure the safety of our students and staff, we must balance preventative and preparedness elements. It is critical that we implement safety measures that not only keep our children safe, but also make them feel safe. Ideally, we will utilize preparedness measures that are the most invisible to our children and, in that way, are not constant reminders of potential danger.

With respect to legislative changes, it will be important for all school board members to work in conjunction with neighboring school boards and organizations such as the Putnam-Westchester School Board Association and the New York State School Board Association to make sure our voices are heard. We will need to be creative and “think outside of the box” to find solutions that that are legally compliant, but maximize benefits to our district.

The proposed budget for next year recognized the need to re-allocate resources by school. However, it is not a simple thing to freely move teachers and other assets. We need a longerterm plan to address this on a multi-year basis rather than make the adjustment as each new budget comes up.

Patch: What is your opinion of the proposed 2013-2014 budget and the impact of the cap on the tax levy?

Rosenblum: I am a strong supporter of the proposed budget for the following reasons: 1) the proposed budget is $565,000 below the tax levy cap, 2) increased dollars are directly attributable to mandatory increases in teacher retirement and health care costs, 3) through efficiencies, the budget includes significant improvements in technology and safety, and 4) it is balanced to adjust for the changing population within each school.

Patch: How do you think the mandates 2-percent tax cap will impact the future of education?

Rosenblum: I admire the intention of the tax cap, which is to recognize the difficult economic times we are all facing and challenge districts to be as efficient as possible. However, I am not a supporter of many of the specific aspects of the cap. Firstly, “2% does not always equal 2%.” This is because there are a number of exemptions. Also, changes in assessed property values impact the actual percentage on which tax payers will vote. It is a confusing policy.  

Secondly, I feel there are elements that are unfair as total spending is limited to a certain rate, while certain expenses are mandated at a higher rate. Therefore, I am concerned that this regulation will have a negative impact on the future of education because it may force districts to make poor decisions that are not in the best interest of students in order to remain below an arbitrary number.

Patch: What organizations/groups do you belong to?

Rosenblum: IManager, FC Somers Cyclones;  2007-Present

Westchester Alumni Schools Committee for Princeton University; 2001-Present

Member: SHS Booster Club, SMS Track Booster Club

Multi-year Participant: Lynn Adams Memorial Run, Relay for Life

Patch: Is there anything I haven't asked that you would like the public to know about you or your candidacy? 

Rosenblum: Being a member of the school board is a great responsibility. I now have seen first-hand the level of commitment required to come to all board meetings prepared (by carefully reviewing details of items to be discussed) and staying abreast of current political and economic events that may impact our district. I am willing and able to devote the time and energy necessary to do the job to the best of my ability.