WHITE PLAINS LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS PRESENTS THE 8 CANDIDATES RUNNING FOR 3 SEATS ON THE BOARD OF EDUCATION IN THE SCHOOL BUDGET AND BOARD ELECTION MAY 21

Posted on by

WPCNR, courtesy of  the White Plains League of Women Voters presents the 8 candidates running for three seats on the Board Of Education in the School Board Budget and Elections May 21. They will be appearing at the Candidates Form at 7 PM  for the Forum, held May 9 in the  White Plains High School Library. The Forum will be zoomed and retelecast on FIOS Channel 46 and Optimum Channel 77. The information is published as received from the League and there may be some errors in fonts. Addresses and contact information excluded for privacy. 

Information Sheet for Board of Education Candidates

 

 

Name:           Rose Lovitch

Education:    Pace Law School, JD , Fordham University, Political Science and Public Administration

Profession:    Attorney/Owner, Rossi Law PLLC, White Plains, NY Staff Attorney, Pace Woman’s Justice Center, White Plains, NY

Questions

  1. Do you currently have children in the White Plains Schools or have you had children in the schools in the past?

 

I have 3 children who are all alumni of White Plains School District, and I was a very  involved and active parent during my children’s years in the district.

  1. There are many ways individuals can serve the community. Why have you chosen to run for the school board?

 

I have proudly served on the White Plains School Board for 12 years, and I am eager to  continue our work to support our students. I have always enjoyed working with  children, and I feel that my role as a school board member serves students in a most  critical part of their growth. We are concerned not only with their curricular education,  with their extracurricular opportunities, college and career preparation, and very  importantly their social and emotional learning. I especially enjoy visiting classrooms and watching our students as they learn and connect with others, and celebrating their  accomplishments with them during special presentations and events.

 

  1. What particular skills or experiences qualify you to serve as a school board member? In what school or district activities have you been involved?

 

After many years as a PTA volunteer and President at the elementary, high school and  PTA Council levels, and as a Girl Scout leader, I ran for the Board and have proudly  served for the past 12 years. While on the PTA, I worked with students and teachers as a  class parent, running PTA events and chairing committees. As a Girl Scout leader for 14  years, I led and empowered young girls while learning and experiencing their  community and the world around them, helping my troop to earn their Bronze and  Silver Awards, and proudly supporting my daughter earn her Gold Award, which later  became the underlying interest for her career in Public Health. As a Board member, I  have worked collaboratively with my colleagues, served on the Special Ed, Curriculum  and Policy committees, as well as the Dual Language Program review committee and  Diversity Committee. I have learned the budget process and the need to thoughtfully  consider not only our students’ needs, but the sustainability of our decisions in terms of  our budget. As a White Plains small business owner, I am a sole practitioner. I represent  my clients, taking into consideration each of their individual needs, just as our school  district considers the needs of our students. I manage and budget the financial needs of  my practice, as the school board strives for the needs of the district. I am an integral  part of the community and recognize the effects of our school district budget plans. I  continue to support our students as a member of the Woman’s Club of White Plains, where I have been attending and volunteering with the annual Scholarship Luncheon  and Fashion show, where scholarship donations are raised for our high school seniors. I  have had the opportunity to watch many cohorts of students, including my own children, learn and grow, both in our schools and after graduation. With all my years of  service to the district, I bring much history and experience when discussing and deciding  the needs of our students.

  1. What do you think is the most important role of a school board member?

The two most critical roles of any school board are to select and support the school  superintendent, and to review, understand and approve the budget.

I am proud to serve on a Board which chooses to take a more active role in our district, which includes visiting classrooms, attending school functions such as concerts, plays,  awards ceremonies, reading and math nights, science fairs, and so many more. One of

our favorite events is graduation, where we each attend elementary, middle school and  high school moving up/graduation ceremonies, very happily celebrating our students  and their successes.

 

  1. What are 2-3 strengths of which the White Plains Public Schools can be proud?

 

– Our schools are as diverse as our community. Our students each have their own  culture,

backgrounds, interests, and strengths, and our schools are prepared to focus  and support each

student.

– Our schools can be proud of our wide range of opportunities for our students. Our  excellent financial team diligently prepares a budget which offers all levels of  curriculum, from support for struggling students, inclusive enrichment for all  students, to advanced and AP classes. Our commitment to excellence includes Dual  Language, STEM, Computers and Engineering, Fine Arts, and we support our students who prefer to prepare for a trade by attending BOCES programs.

– Our students are involved in our community, through sports, community service,  intern/externships, and learn to give back to the community which has offered so  much opportunity to each of them.

 

 

  1. What are the White Plains Schools’ greatest challenges?

Our greatest challenge is maintaining our commitment to always do better for our  students, who are our   priority and our future. We continue to recover from our most  serious recent crisis, the 2020 pandemic.          We united as a Board, administration and  staff, strong and committed to return our children and staff     safely to school, and we  continue to provide continuity and stability as we afford the supports necessary             for each  person, as we still re-acclimate to our educational and social environment. We strive to  hire the best teachers and to bring the best programs to our schools. We often make difficult or unpopular     decisions, based upon research and data analysis, to best provide  for a body of students very diverse                needs. I believe that my experience as a longtime  Board member provides the knowledge and information, strength and objectivity, and  perseverance necessary to face these challenges. We always   look to the future as we provide the resources necessary for our students to pursue their dreams and        contribute  to a diverse and dynamic world.

  1. At the end of your term on the School Board, what would you hope to have been the accomplishment you are most proud of?

I will always be proud of my more than 25 years of service to our students and our  school district. I am incredibly proud to serve with board members who always put  children first, and whose decisions are always made in the best interests of our  students. I will always be proud to have dedicated my time to support our children, to  provide vast and diverse opportunities for learning, sharing and preparing for successful  futures and realized dreams.

Posted in Uncategorized

WHITE PLAINS LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS PRESENTS THE 8 CANDIDATES RUNNING FOR 3 SEATS ON THE BOARD OF EDUCATION IN THE SCHOOL BUDGET AND BOARD ELECTIONS MAY 21

Posted on by

WPCNR, courtesy of  the White Plains League of Women Voters presents the 8 candidates running for three seats on the Board Of Education in the School Board Budget and Elections May 21. They will be appearing at the Candidates Form at 7 PM  for the Forum, to be held May 9 in the  White Plains High School Library. The Forum will be zoomed and retelecast on FIOS Channel 46 and Optimum Channel 77. The information is published as received from the League and there may be some errors in fonts. Addresses and contact information excluded for privacy. 

Information Sheet for Board of Education Candidates 

 

Name:             Cayne Letizia 

Address:          14 Gedney Circle White Plains New York 10605

Email address: [email protected]

Education:       BA, MSed, & PhD

Profession:       Educator. High School English Teacher HGHS Chappaqua, NY

Questions

  1. Do you currently have children in the White Plains Schools or have you had children in the schools in the past?

I have three children in the White Plains City School District that  all attended Mamaroneck Avenue School. Currently I have one child at White Plains High  School, one child at Highlands and one child at Eastview.

  1. There are many ways individuals can serve the community. Why have you chosen to run for the school board?

As the Vice President of the WPCSD School Board, I’ve witnessed  the significant strides we’ve made during my last three terms. I am eager to continue  this momentum into another term. From making bussing free for all students at WPHS  to air conditioning all classrooms to the consistent fiscal responsibility of delivering  reasonable budgets under the 2% Tax Cap. Furthermore, as a parent with three children  in the district, I bring a crucial perspective on how our decisions directly impact  students. Our White Plains community’s growth and stability are intricately tied to the  strength of our school system. A robust public education system that caters to the needs  of all students is fundamental to fostering a thriving community.

 

  1. What particular skills or experiences qualify you to serve as a school board member? In what school or district activities have you been involved?

 

With 26 years as a teacher in  diverse settings from the Bronx to Westchester, I have a deep understanding of  educational needs across a broad spectrum. My active involvement in various district  committees—including Human Resources, School Safety and Security, Health and  Wellness, and Curriculum & Instruction & Audit and Finance—equips me with a  comprehensive perspective on school governance. Additionally, I serve on the Board of  Directors for the Westchester Putnam School Board Association, which supports local  boards with training and resources. My recent appointment to the Westchester County  Youth Advisory Board further enhances my ability to contribute to youth-focused  initiatives and programs. As a member of the PTA at my children’s schools, I am directly  engaged with the grassroots of educational community involvement.

  1. What do you think is the most important role of a school board member?

I view my  most important role as being a steward of our community’s educational values and  resources, dedicated to both current and future students and families of White Plains  Schools. Effective governance requires balancing the differing needs and perspectives of  various groups, always with a primary focus on student success. This involves actively  engaging with the community to understand their concerns, collaborating with fellow  board members to establish strategic priorities, and ensuring that district leadership is  held accountable for achieving measurable outcomes. This holistic approach  underscores my commitment to fostering an educational environment that supports and  enhances the development of every student.

  1. What are 2-3 strengths of which the White Plains Public Schools can be proud? The White Plains Public Schools are distinguished by four key strengths.

First, our district  benefits from stable and consistent leadership, providing a steady foundation that  contrasts with the instability observed in neighboring areas. Second, the remarkable  diversity of our student body enhances our educational environment, bringing a rich  variety of perspectives and experiences that enrich learning for all. Third, our success is  bolstered by robust collaboration with local organizations such as The White Plains Youth  Bureau, The BID, The YWCA, Centro Hispano, and PTA branches, alongside families,  students, and the broader community. Finally, our commitment to innovation positions  us uniquely in Westchester through distinctive programming and proactive recruitment  strategies. These pillars—Stable Leadership, Student Diversity, Collaboration, and  Innovation—define our district’s strengths.

 

  1. What are the White Plains Schools’ greatest challenges?

 

The greatest challenges facing  White Plains Schools are captured in two critical areas: Achievement and Growth. The  city of White Plains, though part of a larger societal tapestry, is home to diverse students  from varied backgrounds—children of long-standing residents, newcomers from NYC,  and families in temporary housing. All converge daily in our schools, creating a unique  educational environment. Our responsibility is immense: to educate every student  effectively, ensuring they lay a strong foundation for future community contributions.  The challenge intensifies as we address disparities in access to resources like food and  language acquisition barriers. Despite these hurdles, our commitment remains to uphold  high educational standards while recognizing and nurturing the distinct talents of each  student. This approach is essential for their personal growth and academic achievement,  ensuring they measure up both locally and nationally.

  1. At the end of your term on the School Board, what would you hope to have been the accomplishment you are most proud of!

That I left the White Plains City School District  better than I found it for future BOE members, community members, family members  and most importantly our City’s children.

Posted in Uncategorized

May 4– WHITE PLAINS LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS INTRODUCES THE 8 CANDIDATES FOR 3 OPEN SEATS ON THE WHITE PLAINS BOARD OF EDUCATION IN THE SCHOOL BUDGET AND BOARD ELECTIONS MAY 21

Posted on by

WPCNR, courtesy of  the White Plains League of Women Voters presents the 8 candidates running for three seats on the Board Of Education in the School Board Budget and Elections May 21. They will be appearing at the Candidates Form at 7 PM  for the Forum, to be held May 9 in the  White Plains High School Library. The Forum will be zoomed and retelecast on FIOS Channel 46 and Optimum Channel 77. The information is published as received from the League and there may be some errors in fonts. Addresses and contact information excluded for privacy. 

Information Sheet for Board of Education Candidate

Name:             Leslie Hickey

Education:      College graduate

Profession:      CPA

Questions

  1. Do you currently have children in the White Plains Schools or have you had children in the schools in the past?

My son graduated from WPHS two years ago.  I have a nephew who is a senior at WPHS now.

 

  1. There are many ways individuals can serve the community. Why have you chosen to run for the school board?

I believe that times have changed, and we need a fresh perspective in addressing them.

 

  1. What particular skills or experiences qualify you to serve as a school board member? In what school or district activities have you been involved?

I served as the Assistant Treasurer and then Treasurer for the WPHS PTA for four years as well             as serving as an active volunteer at fundraising events.  I have been on the PTA Council for            three years as the enrichment and curriculum liaison.  I also add a financial background in the business world which would assist in strategy and planning.

 

  1. What do you think is the most important role of a school board member?

Fiscal responsibility

 

  1. What are 2-3 strengths of which the White Plains Public Schools can be proud?

First, the district strives to add programs to the curriculum that meet the needs of a very           diverse student body with different plans for their future.  Second, WPHS has amazing facilities            that are unlike any other high school in the area.

 

  1. What are the White Plains Schools’ greatest challenges?

Finding the right balance between teachers and administrators to maximize education goals in             a fiscally responsible manner.  We need to find the right support for those on the front line in           the classrooms so we keep our best teachers.

 

  1. At the end of your term on the School Board, what would you hope to have been the accomplishment you are most proud of!

That no one wants to set my house on fire!  (Just a little humor).  This is a difficult question as   it’s hard to know what the hot button items will be during my tenure.  I’m sure that no one in the history of the Board elections ever wrote here that they wanted to be proud of how they    dealt with a global pandemic! I think (and this sounds a little lame) that my biggest          accomplishment would be to have the community be sad to see me go.

 

 

Posted in Uncategorized

MAY 4–WHITE PLAINS LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS PRESENTS THE 8 CANDIDATES RUNNING FOR 3 SEATS ON THE BOARD OF EDUCATION SCHOOL BUDGET AND BOARD ELECTIONS MAY 21

Posted on by

WPCNR, courtesy of  the White Plains League of Women Voters presents the 8 candidates running for three seats on the Board Of Education in the School Board Budget and Elections May 21. They will be appearing at the Candidates Form at 7 PM  for the Forum, held in the  White Plains High School Library. The Forum will be zoomed and retelecast on FIOS Channel 46 and Optimum Channel 77. The information is published as received from the League and there may be some errors in fonts. Addresses and contact information excluded for privacy. 

Information Sheet for Board of Education Candidates

 

Name:                         Donna Giambalvo

Education:      Master’s Biomedical Engineering & Industrial Pharmacy

Profession:      VP of Sales

 

Questions

  1. Do you currently have children in the White Plains Schools, or have you had children in the schools in the past?

 

Presently, I am proud to have two daughters enrolled in the White Plains School District. They are currently thriving in the 4th and 5th grades, each embarking on their unique educational journeys.

 

  1. There are many ways individuals can serve the community. Why have you chosen to run for the school board

 

I have chosen to run for the school board because I have witnessed firsthand the challenges and stresses faced by families and friends within the school system. This personal insight has inspired me to step up and advocate for meaningful change. My decision is driven by two primary motivations. Firstly, I am committed to being a voice for all students, parents, and community members, ensuring that their concerns and aspirations are heard and addressed. Secondly, I am dedicated to fostering an exceptional school system where every child has the opportunity to thrive academically, socially, and emotionally. By contributing to the improvement of our public schools, I hope to create a nurturing environment that rivals the quality of private institutions, thus providing my own children and countless others with the best possible education and prospects.

 

  1. What skills or experiences qualify you to serve as a school board member? In what school or district activities have you been involved?

 

My role as Vice President of Sales has given me key skills like leadership, planning, and managing finances, which are crucial for good governance. Leading teams has taught me how to collaborate well with different people and make smart choices. Managing complex problems every day has made me adaptable and good at thinking on my feet. With my focus on engaging with the community and making ethical decisions, I am ready to bring valuable contributions to the school board, helping to improve our schools for everyone’s benefit.

 

  1. What do you think is the most important role of a school board member?

 

The main job of a school board member is to make sure students are safe and successful. This means making rules that help students do well in school, providing enough support for them to learn and grow, and creating a welcoming environment where everyone feels included. A school board member also helps build trust between teachers, parents, and administrators by working together. By listening to what the community wants, making choices that match the district’s goals, and focusing on what is best for students, school board members show their dedication to the students they represent.

 

  1. What are the 2-3 strengths of which the White Plains Public Schools can be proud?

 

When reflecting on the strengths of the White Plains Public Schools, White Plains Public Schools in Westchester have much to be proud of. Their diverse community brings cultures together, making learning more exciting and inclusive. This prepares students for the diverse world they will face beyond school. Plus, the school has amazing teachers and staff who work hard to help every student succeed. They give personalized support to make sure each student reaches their potential. With such a supportive community and dedicated team, White Plains Public Schools offer a great environment for students to learn and grow.

 

 

  1. What are the White Plains Schools’ greatest challenges?

 

When considering the greatest challenges facing the White Plains Schools, two significant factors come to mind. Firstly, the diversity within our schools presents both opportunities and challenges. While diversity enriches our educational environment and fosters cultural understanding, it also requires careful attention to ensure that all students receive equitable opportunities and support. Secondly, allocating and managing financial resources effectively is crucial for addressing various needs within the district, from maintaining quality education to providing necessary resources and support services. By addressing these challenges thoughtfully and collaboratively, we can work towards ensuring that all students receive the high-quality education they deserve.

 

 

 

Posted in Uncategorized