Schools

Yorktown School Board Election Coverage: Q&A With Christine Montero

Christine Montero, current Yorktown school board of education trustee, is running unopposed for another term.

On May 15, Yorktown voters will vote on a  and vote for the two school board trustees who are up for election. Current  board members Jackie Carbone and Christine Montero will face no opposition when taxpayers head to the polls. 

Below is a brief bio of Christine Montero and her replies to a set of questions, which were also sent to .

 in 2011 to fill the vacated seat by , who resigned after serving on the board for almost six years. She has lived in Yorktown for approximately 15 years and has a son who is currently a freshman in and a daughter in 7th grade at . Montero is a school principal in the Yonkers city school district, which serves 600 students from pre-kindergarten through grade 8 in an inner-city school on the west side of Yonkers.

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Patch: What motivates you to continue to serve on the Yorktown school board?

Montero: This is such a great community and I am motivated and energized by the successes of our students in this district. Every month I am fortunate and proud to meet fantastic students, great, hard working staff and many wonderful families at our school board meetings.

Find out what's happening in Yorktown-Somerswith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Patch: What have been your major contribution(s) on the board?

Montero: Although I am still new to the process, each school board member contributes tremendous input and innovative ideas. When you have a small group of individuals coming together with the best of intentions working on behalf of our students great things happen. We are a balanced school board with a variety of skills and expertise which support the district’s vision.

Patch: What issues facing the district do you feel most strongly about?

Montero: The issues facing the district are similar to many districts in our county and across the state. We are being asked to do more with less. New state mandates continue to come down to the district that do not provide the adequate funding. We have under and in some cases unfunded mandates which will impact our programs unless we receive much needed mandate relief. We are sensitive to the needs of our school community and understand that taxpayers should no longer bear the burden of mandates in these challenging economic times.

Patch: Describe the quality of education you think students are getting in the district?

Montero: I am confident and truly believe our students are receiving a high-quality, first-rate education from the dynamic, dedicated staff and administration in the YCSD. This was evident as we celebrated the National Blue Ribbon School of excellence status attained by MESMS this school year. I believe with the New Common Core Learning Standards, academic rigor and the administration’s leadership which is continuously looking for innovative ways to improve teaching and learning, our students will continue to flourish in the YCSD.

Patch: Are there measures you would take to improve upon it?

Montero: We will continue to work collaboratively with the staff, students and administration supporting professional development and encouraging innovative, creative projects. I am enthusiastic, vibrant and truly looking forward to working with a fabulous group of individuals.

Patch: You are running unopposed. Why do you suppose more people don't get involved, and what would you say to voters, parents, community members to encourage engagement around school issues?

Montero: I am honored and proud to serve the students, families and staff of the YCSD. We currently have great involvement from our parents/guardians and school community and we will continue to strengthen and foster the family-school connection. We are committed to maintaining a high-quality education where “students come first” here in our stellar district.

Patch: Is there anything we haven't asked that you would like the public to know about you?

Montero: I began my career as an elementary teacher, an assistant principal on the elementary and middle school level and have served as principal for the past six years. I have devoted myself to serving “students” who deserve nothing short of the best. As a school board member, it is my hope to serve the truly spectacular students, staff and the entire Yorktown school community.


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