Vote for
Chris Valin
For Greenburgh Central School District Board of Education
Thank you for coming out to vote!
The GCSD community overwhelmingly supported both our school budget and the proposition regarding the transfer to our repair reserve fund.
Thank you for also supporting my candidacy as one of three trustees elected.
GTF endorses Chris Valin and Jamaal Thomas
I humbly thank the Greenburgh Teachers Federation for endorsing my candidacy for the GCSD Board of Education.
How are you involved with the Greenburgh Central School District or the local community?
My husband Agustin and I are parents of two children who have attended GCSD since kindergarten and who are currently students at Woodlands Middle/High School. I have attended BOE meetings for 10 years, serving on the Education, Fiscal Planning, Audit, Community Engagement, and Facilities committees so I could thoroughly comprehend and contribute to solving the issues facing the district. I have advocated for improved outcomes for ALL students through my service as a past PTA board member and as a core member of the parent group working towards equitable funding for Greenburgh schools in partnership with our local legislators. I was a parent representative for International Baccalaureate re-certifications at two of our elementary schools. I am also Committee Chair of the Scouts BSA Hartsdale Troop, volunteer with Westchester Parks Foundation and a member of Sacred Heart parish.
Why will you be a good choice for a board member?
I have advocated for improved outcomes for ALL students throughout my years of service to our district. My experience with Board of Education committees will allow me to hit the ground running as we determine how we can help our students become confident, capable, and caring citizens. I believe in discussing issues frankly, questioning sincerely and collaborating on practical solutions that will move us forward. I have lived in Greenburgh for 15 years, so I am familiar with the community with the added perspective from having lived in the Midwest and Europe previously.
También me gustaría dar a conocer que hablo español, aunque no a la perfección. Así que los que no estén cómodos explicando sus preocupaciones sobre las escuelas en ingles pueden encontrar a alguien de la junta con quien se pueden comunicar.
What do you feel are the biggest challenges facing Greenburgh Central School District now and over the next 3 years?
- Ensure a solid educational footing as we move out of pandemic learning, while providing resources to address the social-emotional welfare of our children.
- Provide a safe learning environment for students and staff.
- Fiscally responsible achievement of the first two points
- Improve communication with all stakeholders in the GCSD community.
What are your ideas for addressing these challenges?
We need to develop a robust response to the obstacles created by the pandemic learning environment – starting with a summer learning program or additional school-year Academic Intervention Services to include more students who may not automatically receive that extra help.
We need to examine how to continue improving our social-emotional learning within curriculum areas as well as with stand-alone activities.
We need to continue creating a phased plan to upgrade the safety of our facilities and, when possible, enhance the design to facilitate collaboration and hands-on experiential learning.
Both academic programs and facilities improvements rely on responsible and transparent budgets. Having open conversations with our GCSD community will help outline the priorities for the small part of the budget that is not determined by law or contracts.
Solutions may not come easily, but I will be thorough in tackling issues by listening to the experts, questioning the alternatives, and collaborating on solutions to move forward in helping our students do their best.
Questions about voting?
Contact GCSD District Clerk Ivy Kraus for information on how to vote in the school district election and budget vote.
ikraus@greenburghcsd.org