Guest Editorial: Community Values, Community Connections.
"One of my greatest challenges so far has been to change the culture of the school board and the district so that more of this work takes place in view of the public..."
by Anamika Bhatnagar
Editor’s Note: We have invited all five candidates for Croton-Harmon Board of Education in the May 19 election to submit Guest Editorials in support of their candidacies. We are publishing them as they come in.
The Croton-Harmon Board of Education election is two weeks from today, and it has the potential to shape our schools for years to come. Five candidates are running for three open seats, and who we put in those seats matters.
I’m asking for your vote so that I can continue to advance the changes I’ve already brought to the school board in my first term: greater accountability, consistent transparency, and meaningful community input. While there’s more to be done, I’ve demonstrated a commitment to working hard for our students and families across CET, PVC, and CHHS.
As the parent of an 8th grader and an 11th grader, I’ve seen many changes in our schools over the last decade. Evaluating how these changes are impacting learning outcomes, preparing our students for college and careers, and supporting achievement for all students is the school board’s responsibility. This needs to become a higher priority in all three of our schools.
As an individual school board trustee, I believe it’s my charge to represent the community and reflect its values within the educational system. I take this responsibility very seriously, as the many families I’ve met with in my first term can attest. In any community as vibrant and engaged as Croton, there will be differences of opinion and perspective. I welcome these discussions. I have never shied away from asking questions, encouraging reflection, and demanding action when necessary to support our district’s students, educators, and staff. One of my greatest challenges so far has been to change the culture of the school board and the district so that more of this work takes place in view of the public, through our meetings and committee sessions, through clear and direct communications to families, and through respectful and responsive community engagement.
The foundational promise of public school education is access to meaningful learning opportunities for all students, an expectation of excellence and achievement for all students, and a feeling of safety and belonging for all students. I have been an advocate for these issues, and many more, in my one term on the school board.
Our school board must help fulfill this promise by setting goals for the school district and superintendent, and ensuring follow-through and reporting; by evaluating programs, measuring outcomes, and pushing for changes and improvements; by establishing policies that support this work, and regularly reviewing and interrogating school district practices – all with transparency to the community. The school board I joined in July 2023 was not known for these things. In my three years of service, the board has moved in this direction, and I will continue to keep pushing it to center student experiences and outcomes.
I will continue to advocate for stronger board oversight of district operations through policy development, particularly policies related to student privacy, data collection, and the use and licensing of technology. I’ve also taken the lead on establishing governance best practices, including formalizing a superintendent review cycle that allows for direct input from all trustees, not just board officers; onboarding and mentoring new trustees so they can be more effective contributors in their first year; and improving community relations through the creation of “Meet the BOE” listening sessions. These informal meetups give folks an avenue to speak in person with school board trustees and receive direct feedback.
I’ve also pushed the administrative team to bring back district committees so community members can collaborate with district staff on the key issues facing our schools. This year, as board vice president, I’ve been able to shape public meetings to better reflect the concerns of the board and the larger community. By showing the public the consideration, care, and preparation that go into every decision, the school board and district have an opportunity to regain our community’s trust and confidence. There’s still a tremendous amount of work to be done, and I’m committed to carrying it forward if I’m re-elected to a second term.
If you’ve read this far, you know I have a lot to say about education. You can find more on my website, abforboe.com. As a trustee, I remain committed to reflecting our community’s values and aspirations for our students at the school board table. I hope you’ll give me the opportunity to continue to serve by voting for me on May 19.
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Why did Anamika push to renew Superintendent Stephen Walker's contract for 5 years before it was due for renewal? Why has she not held Superintendent Walker accountable to actual measurable outcomes? I need to see a lot more accountability.
The focus on daylight and communication is an excellent direction!