Letter from Pam Fuehrer: Second Term Board Members Increase Board Efficacy and Strength

This letter was written by current Scarsdale Board of Education President Pam Fuehrer:
I write as an individual, and not on behalf of the Board of Education, in support of Alison Singer. It is my strongly-held, personal opinion that re-electing willing and capable board members to a second term is critical to the strength of the Board and its efficacy as the governing body of the Scarsdale Schools. In the same way we invest in the Scarsdale Schools, we must think long-term and continually invest in the strength of the Board.

Effective school boards need balance; new voices and fresh perspectives must be coupled with veteran understanding and experience. The learning curve of a school board member is steep as there are vast areas of District management and operations that Board members need to understand in order to govern well. Board member development takes years and is supported not only through training but also through mentorship by senior board members. It is essential that the Scarsdale community provide future and remaining board members, all of whom are currently in their first or second years of board service, the benefit of someone who has mastered many of these areas from a governance perspective.

Alison Singer is a capable and effective leader and communicator. Over three years, she has consistently provided solid rationale and direction, especially when working through difficult topics. Board officers participate in 2 x 1 agenda-setting meetings with the superintendent, and we communicate regularly. Alison’s response to the challenges of this past year has been exceptional; her guidance and oversight efforts as Board Vice President have had great impact behind the scenes and at the table. Through her many years of service to the District, she has built relationships based upon respect with community members, the District’s management team, administrators, teachers, and staff. It is important to have strong and ongoing connections. Productive discussions, which rely on knowledge, experience, and respect, help foster a path which the governance and management teams can identify, build, and navigate together to move the District forward.

Alison is an asset to the Scarsdale Board of Education and her presence is needed to ensure the most effective governance team going forward. Please do not undervalue Alison’s or any veteran Board member’s experience; it directly impacts the strength of Scarsdale Board of Education and its ability to impact the Administration and the student experience.