I would like to take a few minutes to speak on the upcoming Lamoille South Unified Union School Board election and the candidates. After reading the article in last week's News & Citizen, I wish to express my support for Richard Shanley. I am very pleased that a PA student, soon to be a graduate, is so interested in serving on the board. However, it appears to me that the experience Dick provides would be invaluable in this period when our schools have been in turmoil due to the impact of Covid 19.
I was raised in Morrisville and have known Dick and his wife Judy most of my life. They have both spent their lives in education and in a number of public service community roles. The school board is dealing with a variety of issues post Covid 19, including staffing, districting issues and budget concerns. I believe Dick has the experience to deal with these issues and more, having been a teacher and an administrator. In addition to serving on the board, the ability to interact successfully with staff and parents is vital; Dick has experience in both of these areas. He also interacts with community members on a daily basis. My concerns regarding Andi stem from not having experience in these vital areas, as well as the fact that she will be attending college out of state in the fall. I believe this will hamper her ability to interact effectively with parents and community members on a much needed basis.
Having previously worked in administration at PA for a number of years, I understand how valuable a close working relationship with the public is. I also understand the importance of experience. Experience a lifelong educator and administrator brings to the board. I applaud Andi's desire to serve in this capacity and her desire to become an educator. But I feel Dick Shanley is a more valuable and experienced asset for our school board at this time. I look forward to Andi's ability to serve this community in the future. For these reasons, I hope you will join me in supporting Richard Shanley for school board for the Lamoille South Unified Union.
Sincerely,
Liz Fox, RN