Mike Valenti for Briarcliff Board of Education

Archive for May, 2010

Briarcliff Wins!!

Wednesday, May 19th, 2010

Below are the results of our school board election, as well as some thoughts:

Budget vote: 998 Yes / 374 No

Proposition to add a student to the board: 894 Yes / 367 No

Election of TWO board members:



Sal Maglietta 789 Win Rosella Ranno 755 Win Mike Valenti 669 Lisa Jenner 425 Krishnan Chittur 279



My congratulations to Sal Maglietta and Rosella Ranno . Both individuals bring rich and complementary skills to our school board. I am confident they will both provide excellent leadership to our District. Their addition to our board is a win for our community and, most importantly, our children.



As for my candidacy, I feel like a winner this morning as well. The past four weeks has been one of the richest, most rewarding experiences of my life. I am richer today, by far, than I was just four weeks ago in many, many ways. I feel good about the platform I ran on, the conversations I started and participated in, the people I have met and who have befriended, supported and encouraged me. I will continue to remain involved and to make a contribution to the education of the children in our District in as many ways as possible.



Thank you for your consideration and, if appropriate, your support. I shall hope that my comportment throughout this campaign assured you of my personal INTEGRITY and the RESPECT that I have for this community and our school district.





Now we can begin to focus on what this election was really all about – our children.

Respectfully,
Mike Valenti

Tags: 10510, Academic Excellence, BFF, Board of Education, BOE, Briarcliff, Briarcliff Manor, Briarcliff Teacher’s Association, Briarcliff Wins, Briarcliff’s Faculty for Families, Common Goals, Election Results, endorsement, Eric Bashford, Executive Search, Fair, Gangi, Guy Rotundo, Hope, Integrity, Izzarelli, Janet Marinaccio, Jen Rosen, Jen Rosen Board of Education, Jen Rosen Briarcliff, Jennifer Rosen, Jennifer Rosen Board of Education, Jennifer Rosen Briarcliff, John Gangi, Kim Izzarelli, Kim Izzarelli Board of Educationohn Gangi Board of Education, Kim Izzarelli Briarcliff, Michael Valenti, Mike Valenti, Mike Valenti Briarcliff, mike valenti briarcliff board of education, mike valenti briarcliff boe, mike valenti briarcliff manor ny, mike valenti briarcliff ny, Neal Miller, Neal Miller Briarcliff, Neal Miller Medina, Neal Miller Superintendent, Negotiations, Negotiator, Optimism, Optimistic, Political Action Committee, Property Value, Respect, Rosella Ranno, Sal Maglietta, Search Experience, Smart, Superintendent, Superintendent Search, Tax Rates, Taxes, Todd Parent, Vision
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An Experienced Negotiator: Tough – Smart – Fair

Thursday, May 13th, 2010

Reasonable taxes are dependent on a reasonable school budget. 76% of Briarcliff’s school budget is attributable to the costs associated with personnel – primarily salary and benefits.

With contracts up for renewal with all district employee groups, this is the *#1 issue* that will impact our school budget, perhaps for years to come.

With this in mind it is imperative that, as you evaluate candidates to add to your Board of Education, you focus on skill set and experience as a negotiator. As such, the qualities and qualifications I bring to this process will have an invaluable positive influence on the upcoming contract negotiations.

I am a skilled, experienced, thoughtful negotiator. Here are a few things that anyone who has participated with me in a contract negotiation would say about me:

• He’s tough • He’s smart • He’s fair • He listened, and he heard • He’s detailed • He’s skilled • He’s experienced • He’s positive • He cared
• He preserved a positive relationship • He preserved morale • He presented a framework of collaboration and inclusion • He helped to keep us all on the same side of the table • The result was a win/win

As you contemplate who to decide to add to your Board of Education this Tuesday, consider the *#1 issue* that will affect your school budget, and thus your taxes, for years to come.

An individual with thoughtful, experienced, proven negotiation skills – who brings results – should be your choice.

I shall hope to have your support on Tuesday, May 18.

Thank you for your consideration.

Tags: 10510, Board of Education, BOE, Briarcliff Manor, Common Goals, Eric Bashford, Executive Search, Guy Rotundo, Jen Rosen, Jen Rosen Board of Education, Jennifer Rosen, Jennifer Rosen Board of Education, Kim Izzarelli Board of Educationohn Gangi Board of Education, Michael Valenti, Mike Valenti, Mike Valenti Briarcliff, mike valenti briarcliff board of education, mike valenti briarcliff ny, Mike Valenti for Board of Education, Neal Miller Superintendent, Optimism, Optimistic, Property Value, Rosella Ranno, Sal Maglietta, Superintendent Search, Tax Rates, Taxes, Todd Parent, Vision
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BTA PAC Endorses Mike Valenti for Board of Education

Tuesday, May 11th, 2010


It is with great pride and gratitude that I acknowledge the endorsement of the BFF (Briarcliff’s Faculty for Families). The BFF is the PAC (Political Action Committee) of the BTA (Briarcliff Teacher’s Association). In making their decision it was clear that, while many factors were considered, the most important factors were those related to what was best for our children, our school district and our community. It is clear that the BTA seeks a more collaborative, supportive relationship with the Board of Education and their endorsement is a means to that end.

Below please find the text, in its entirety, from a letter distributed today to the District faculty in support of my candidacy.





Dear BTA Members,


The BFF, BTA’s political action committee, recently invited all candidates running for the Board of Education to meet with our organization. We wanted to get an idea of their vision for the district, insight into the kind of leaders these individuals might be, and the role they saw for the faculty and administration. Of the five candidates only Mike Valenti and Sal Maglietta accepted our invitation.


During this meeting, we discussed the years of experience both have managing large organizations and multi million dollars budgets. They shared their ideas for creating a BOE that would include all factions of community, administration and faculty to create a positive learning experience for all students. They offered fresh ideas and approaches to our district’s budget process and spoke of their commitment to maintain the high quality of education Briarcliff is known for. Both men believe their communication and leadership skills will create a productive atmosphere for the Briarcliff School District.


After conferring with the other members of the committee, we are proud to endorse the candidacies of Mr. Valenti and Mr. Maglietta. We believe they will work to foster a positive environment for both students and teachers.


Sincerely,

Briarcliff’s Faculty for Families

Tags: Academic Excellence, BFF, Board of Education, BOE, Briarcliff, Briarcliff Manor, Briarcliff Teacher’s Association, Briarcliff’s Faculty for Families, Common Goals, endorsement, Eric Bashford, Executive Search, Gangi, Guy Rotundo, Hope, Izzarelli, Janet Marinaccio, Jen Rosen, Jen Rosen Board of Education, Jen Rosen Briarcliff, Jennifer Rosen, Jennifer Rosen Board of Education, Jennifer Rosen Briarcliff, John Gangi, Kim Izzarelli, Kim Izzarelli Board of Educationohn Gangi Board of Education, Kim Izzarelli Briarcliff, Michael Valenti, Mike Valenti, Mike Valenti Briarcliff, mike valenti briarcliff board of education, mike valenti briarcliff boe, mike valenti briarcliff manor ny, mike valenti briarcliff ny, Neal Miller, Neal Miller Briarcliff, Neal Miller Medina, Neal Miller Superintendent, Optimism, Optimistic, PAC, Political Action Committee, Property Value, Rosella Ranno, Sal Maglietta, Superintendent Search, Tax Rates, Taxes, Todd Parent, Vision
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Superintendent Search: A Voice of Experience

Sunday, May 9th, 2010

One of the most critical challenges for our school board is the search to replace Fran Wills, our esteemed Superintendent of 16 years. This key, leadership position is of paramount importance to the direction of our District. In the Issues section of this website, you will find my thoughts on some of the qualities our new Superintendent might likely bring.


The focus of this article is to share my insight into searches in a global sense. As an individual who has run a number of large businesses – each with hundreds of millions of dollars in annual revenue – I have searched for, and hired, many key people. The elements of the executive search process are essentially the same, regardless of industry or occupation. In essence, an executive search for a CEO or key executive for a $50 million company is the same as a search for a key leadership position of a $50 million school district.


Executive searches generally break down into three stages, or steps:

Stage I Stage I begins with a decision as to whether to use a search firm and, if so, whom to use. Unless an individual in the District possesses a national rolodex of potential candidates that is a true game changer, then it is unlikely that search experience within a specific occupation or industry is more valuable than general executive search experience. Additionally, notwithstanding such a rolodex of contacts, a search of this magnitude likely points to utilizing a search firm.

Search firms, similar to attorneys and physicians, should be chosen based on their area of specialty. In our case, we would likely evaluate the search capability provided by BOCES which is available at no cost. However, we would additionally be compelled to evaluate and compare several search firms that specialize in the field of educators. There are a number of such firms nationally. The search firms should be presented with our situation and desires. *Especially important at this juncture is giving the search firm a clear picture of the challenges they may face attracting candidates, given recent events in our District.* The search firm should be asked to present to us several searches, as examples of their work, where they performed similar searches under similar circumstances. This portion of Stage I concludes with our collaboratively selecting a search firm.


Next, we begin collaboratively building a candidate profile, together with the search firm, of the individual we seek. This candidate profile should be developed in a collaborative, inclusive environment, including members of the community representing a range of Todd, Middle School and High School parents as well as Empty Nesters and of course, the Board, Administration and Faculty. In addition, members in the community with executive search experience should be encouraged to step forward for inclusion. At this point the search firm should come back with a hard copy document that, with collaborative approval, becomes the marketing brochure for the search.


Stage II Stage II begins with a quiet period as the search firm begins their process of taking the best look at the widest array of appropriate candidates. The search firm’s job is to market the position to appropriate candidates, working methodically to identify four to seven prospective candidates for initial screening. Prospective internal candidates may also be identified and considered. This initial screening should include face to face interviews with senior recruiters meeting with candidates. This process continues – eliminating as well as adding candidates – with the goal of identifying a short list of three candidates. The search firm thoroughly vets the short list candidates, inclusive of reference checks as appropriate. At this point the search firm creates a hard copy document for us that, in essence, becomes the marketing brochure for each candidate.


The search now shifts a bit and candidate interviews are set. *Interview committees collaboratively representing the Board, Administration, Faculty and Community are established.* An order should be created for a candidate to advance from interviews with one committee to another. The search firm will serve as our consultant and sounding board throughout the interview process, training us all on appropriate interview techniques, how to properly vet each candidate and their accomplishments as well as methods for comparing and contrasting candidates. Ultimately, and with the guidance of our search firm, we will decide which candidate to make an offer to.


It is essential that a decision be made expeditiously and an offer extended. This is to avoid any appearance that another candidate may have been our first choice – especially if that in fact turns out to be the case. A candidate should never know (or think) they were a second or third choice.


Stage III Stage III is the process of transition and retention. Once the laborious process of search and hire are behind us, the same individuals who worked so collaboratively to bring this leader into our District must now create a collaborative, supportive environment. Initially, working to acclimate our new leader to our District and our very special culture of excellence and achievement. Over the long-term, retaining the individual for many years to come. This is perhaps the most critical of the three stages, as continuity under the leadership of a truly outstanding Superintendent is something we all know from experience is valuable and desirable – *for our children and for our community.*

Tags: Academic Excellence, Board of Education, BOE, Briarcliff, Briarcliff Manor, Common Goals, Eric Bashford, Executive Search, Gangi, Guy Rotundo, Hope, Izzarelli, Janet Marinaccio, Jen Rosen, Jen Rosen Board of Education, Jen Rosen Briarcliff, Jennifer Rosen, Jennifer Rosen Board of Education, Jennifer Rosen Briarcliff, John Gangi, Kim Izzarelli, Kim Izzarelli Board of Educationohn Gangi Board of Education, Kim Izzarelli Briarcliff, Mike Valenti, Mike Valenti Briarcliff, mike valenti briarcliff board of education, mike valenti briarcliff boe, mike valenti briarcliff manor ny, mike valenti briarcliff ny, Neal Miller, Neal Miller Briarcliff, Neal Miller Medina, Neal Miller Superintendent, Optimism, Optimistic, Property Value, Rosella Ranno, Sal Maglietta, Search Experience, Superintendent, Superintendent Search, Tax Rates, Taxes, Todd Parent
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An Optimistic Todd Parent with a Vision of Hope

Sunday, May 2nd, 2010

I am a Todd parent who will fairly and equally listen carefully to, and represent, *all* District constituencies – from parents of preschoolers to empty nesters. Below are a few words that come to mind as I contemplate my *Vision of Hope* for our District’s Board of Education. For those residents in the District who have been carefully following the issues over the past six months, these words should be all the more significant to you.




Acknowledge – All members of the community, the administration and the faculty must be respectfully and appropriately acknowledged.




Appreciate – Faculty, as well as our Administrators, must feel appreciated for the job they do and the knowledge, experience and expertise they bring.




Attract – It is imperative that we create a climate with which we can attract superior talent with regard to two critical searches we must currently undertake, District Superintendent and Elementary School Principal.




Civility – An air of civility must become the hallmark of the relationships the Board maintains with the Administration, the Faculty and the Community.





Climate – We must moderate the overall climate within our District, moving away from the pattern of dis-harmony, disrespect, distrust, disenfranchisement and dysfunction that has begun to pervade.

Collaborate – We must restore a collaborative, team-oriented approach between the Board, the Administration, the Faculty and the Community.





Communicate – We must restore the communication model to one where all parties are both informed and have a voice.




Harmony – The harmonious relationship previously enjoyed between the Board, the Administration, the Faculty and the Community must be restored.




Include – An inclusive management style is most productive in any business, even the business of education. The Board must go out of its way to include all constituencies in the formation of policy and in decision making. This will be especially productive and valuable in the key searches for Superintendent and Todd Principal, as well as the shaping of the next school budget.




Listen – It is imperative that the Board listen openly, eagerly, constructively, carefully and completely to those who convey valuable input, including the expert Administrators and Educators as well as members of the Community.




Morale – Morale among our educators is at an all time low. Unhappy, unappreciated faculty members are not inclined to give us their best in this type of an environment. Further, they become more open to calls from other districts regarding open positions. Restoration of morale is essential and dependent on a sea-change in the overall climate that currently pervades.




Optimism – The Board must take the lead to restore a feeling of genuine optimism. Our Educators must feel genuine optimism for the future of the District, their contribution and their relationship with the Board. Our Community must feel genuinely optimistic about the direction of the District, the preservation of academic excellence, fiscal responsibility, property values and their ability to have a voice.




Optimize – The Board must fully develop an optimization strategy where the goals of academic excellence, premium property values and fiscal prudence are carefully balanced. The process of optimization is healthy and, if executed well, should not materially disturb the ecosystem of our community.



Represent – The Board is populated by elected representatives. To be elected by the community means that it is the responsibility of all Board Members to fairly and equally represent all members of the community – not an elite few.




Respect – Administrators, Faculty and Community members must all feel respected by the Board. Respect begins with an appreciation of the division of labor between the Board, the Administration and the Faculty. It also includes respect for all members of the community. Respect extends to the acknowledgement and utilization of the skills and experience that all of these constituencies bring to the table.




Respond – Questions and comments from members of the community deserve thoughtful, complete, considerate, constructive and expedient responses.




Restore – The Board must restore the positive, optimistic, productive, inclusive climate that has been so successful for so many years. The current pattern of dis-harmony, disrespect, distrust, disenfranchisement and dysfunction must be a thing of the past.




Retain – Retention of quality Administrators, Educators and Staff is of the utmost importance. Happy, well respected, appreciated people who are included in the development and execution of the delivery system will not be inclined to take leave from our District.



Role – The Board’s role must respect the limits between its charge and the charge of the Administration and Educators. Clear division of labor is essential to respected roles and responsibilities.



Safety – The Board must strictly promote and adhere to a policy of safety first. This begins with the levels of security on our campuses and extends to guarding the health of our precious children.




Support – Administrators and faculty must feel supported in their respective roles. They must feel that they are being given the resources, infrastructure and support to maintain the model of academic excellence the District demands.



Team – It “takes a village” to raise (and educate) a child. The Board must move back in the direction of a fully collaborative process and model that employs a policy of inclusion. The voice of the Administration, The Faculty, and the Community must be regained.




Transparent – The Board’s activities must be fully transparent to all who are impacted by them. Transparency, while certainly a burden, must be a firm policy and commitment of the Board.




Trust – The Board must re-earn, and then continue to maintain, the trust of the Administration, the Faculty, the Staff and the Community.




Value – Employees of the District, be they Administrators, Faculty or Staff must feel truly valued for their service, experience and expertise. Community members must similarly feel valued for the contributions that they make as well. Those who do not feel valued feel disenfranchised – an unhealthy state of mind.




Voice – The Administration, the Faculty and the Community must regain the voice they once had in the business of educating our children, forming policy and budgets, shaping the educational delivery system, filling key appointments and more.




Win-Win – Negotiations must be conducted fairly and with the utmost of respect. Relationships are important. Negotiations must not destroy relationships or alienate people. We all understand the fiscal environment that has presented itself. Any negotiation must be conducted in an environment of mutual respect and in a manner that concludes in a win-win for all parties.

Tags: Board of Education, BOE, Briarcliff, Briarcliff Manor, Common Goals, Eric Bashford, Gangi, Guy Rotundo, Hope, Izzarelli, Janet Marinaccio, Jen Rosen, Jen Rosen Board of Education, Jen Rosen Briarcliff, Jennifer Rosen, Jennifer Rosen Board of Education, Jennifer Rosen Briarcliff, John Gangi, Kim Izzarelli, Kim Izzarelli Board of Educationohn Gangi Board of Education, Kim Izzarelli Briarcliff, Michael Valenti, Mike Valenti, Mike Valenti Briarcliff, mike valenti briarcliff board of education, mike valenti briarcliff boe, mike valenti briarcliff manor ny, mike valenti briarcliff ny, Neal Miller, Neal Miller Briarcliff, Neal Miller Medina, Neal Miller Superintendent, Optimism, Optimistic, Property Value, Rosella Ranno, Sal Maglietta, Tax Rates, Taxes, Todd Parent, Vision
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Election Day is here – Tuesday, May 17 at Todd Elementary School.

As promised, I have comported myself throughout this campaign respectfully and with the utmost integrity.

You have all come to know me over the years as the most engaged parent with respect to School District issues and as an unwavering advocate for your children.

As you go to the poll tomorrow to elect a new School Board Trustee, please vote for the TRUSTEE you know you can TRUST – MIKE VALENTI.

• You can TRUST me to Protect Educational Excellence as a Core Value in Briarcliff
• You can TRUST me to Protect, and Grow, the Value of Your Home
• You can TRUST me to Protect your Checkbook from the Tax Man





• You can TRUST me to work collaboratively and productively with my fellow School Board Trustees
• You can TRUST me to work with my fellow School Board Trustees to be more transparent and responsive
• You can TRUST me to work with my fellow School Board Trustees to restore an environment of respect, transparency, integrity, collaboration, unity and harmony
• You can TRUST me to work with my fellow School Board Trustees to carefully and fully acclimate our new Superintendent and to assure his success as our new leader
• You can TRUST me to work with my fellow School Board Trustees to develop goals and a vision that brings this community back together
• You can TRUST me to work with my fellow School Board Trustees to develop budgets that are thoughtful, protect the sanctity of educational excellence yet are fiscally responsible and fiscally sustainable
• You can TRUST me to work collaboratively and constructively with my fellow School Board Trustees and the Collective Bargaining Units to come to mutually agreeable terms
• You can TRUST me to reopen the Fields with expedience and fiscal prudence – and to never put any child’s health or safety at risk
• You can TRUST me to LISTEN – and HEAR – ALL groups from our diverse community
• You can TRUST me to REPRESENT YOU

It has been my privilege to have your consideration as a candidate.

It would be my privilege to have your TRUST in tomorrow’s election and to demonstrate to you over the next three years that you TRUSTED the right candidate for School Board TRUSTEE.


As a Trustee on YOUR school board, here are some things that I WILL do. Following that are some things that I will NOT do:

• I WILL prioritize Academic Excellence and Firm Property Values over any agenda of tax cutting.
• I WILL continue to right-size our school budget as well as our tax burden.
• I WILL “optimize” the quality of the education and range of academic choices that we are delivering with our tax expenditures. YOU will get YOUR moneys-worth in terms of the ratio of academic excellence to taxes.
• I WILL repair our “broken” budget process.
• I WILL restore an environment of respect, integrity,transparency, collaboration, unity,harmony and a strong community voice.
• I WILL utilize both my deep, well developed analytical skills as well as my widely recognized management skills (creative, independent out-of-the-box thinker, excellent management and leadership skills, excellent people and relationship management skills, vision).
• I WILL adopt reopening of our fields as a top priority (with expedience and financial prudence and without compromise to any child’s health or safety).
• I WILL, at all times, represent YOU and YOUR views and agenda – not mine.
• I WILL respond to ALL phone calls and emails and commit to doing so on a same day basis.
• I WILL listen to – and HEAR – the entire community.
• I WILL meet with any community member to discuss their views.
• I WILL form a personal advisory committee with representatives from all constituencies.
• I WILL work collaboratively and constructively with my fellow Trustees.
• I WILL be a model ambassador of our very special school district.

And here are some things that, as YOUR school board Trustee, I will NOT do:

• I will NOT prioritize an agenda of tax cutting over an agenda of academic excellence and firm property values.
• I will NOT allow inefficient budgeting or educational delivery models.
• I will NOT allow taxes to cause residents to leave or homebuyers to pass on Briarcliff.
• I will NOT disrespect the community, our students, our administration or our faculty.
• I will NOT distort or manipulate data.
• I will NOT react before independently verifying facts and data.
• I will NOT micro-manage administration or staff.
• I will NOT forward ill-conceived, unrealistic, fiscally imprudent, fiduciarily irresponsible, unilaterally developed campaign promises that I cannot keep if elected.
• I will NOT represent only the views of an elite few.
• I will NOT be single-minded or inflexible.
• I will NOT give you reason to regret your vote for Mike Valenti – not even for a fleeting moment.

Your VOTE = Your VOICE.

Please vote thoughtfully.

Please cast your vote for Mike Valenti on Tuesday, May 17.

Over the next several weeks the community will seek to understand my personal views regarding the Briarcliff School District. This is an essential dialogue and I welcome the opportunity to engage in such constructive conversations. I am happy to meet with any individual, family or group to discuss my qualifications and views. Please see the Contact Mike tab on this website to call or email me.


While your investigation of my views is likely important to your voting decision, it is my belief that understanding my philosophy regarding how I would represent the community is equally important.


Should you choose me to undertake the privilege of representing you on your Board of Education, I will do exactly that, represent you . Here is what I mean. If elected to this position, my views become subordinate to your views and agenda. As a BOE Trustee I will check my views and agenda at the door. It will be my responsibility to listen to, and
hear, the entire community in order to synthesize and represent the views and agendas of all constituencies and stakeholders.


This has not necessarily been the case over the past several years as the community has clearly not been effectively heard and represented by the BOE. This has led to much discord and division in our community. It is my belief that a BOE Trustee is elected by the community to represent the entire community – not any personal agenda and not the agenda of any particular constituency in the community. As a BOE Trustee who will effectively represent all constituencies, it will also be my goal to restore unity as well.


It is also worth noting that a decision to serve on the Board of Education requires certain sacrifices. The sacrifice most often noted is the countless hours a Trustee spends on this task. However, realize that during my tenure on the BOE I will also forfeit my community voice, as it is my responsibility and commitment to adopt yours. Also realize that as a BOE Trustee one forfeits the ability to advocate for their own children in favor of adopting the responsibility of advocating for all children.


In an attempt to enhance my ability to effectively listen to, hear and represent the entire community as a BOE Trustee I will establish a personal advisory committee. This proposed personal advisory committee will be composed of individuals from all constituencies – Todd parents, Middle School parents, High School parents, Empty Nesters, parents of Preschoolers as well as Teachers. These individuals will likely be those who are in a position to assist me in listening to, and hearing, the entire community and representing the entire community. This structure should also provide for much more feedback than a community member can achieve at a Board meeting with their three minutes at the microphone. If you have an interest in participating in this advisory committee please contact me. Please note that as a Board Trustee one has certain responsibilities that require confidentiality. So, this committee will never have information that is inappropriate to share with any community member.


My commitments to you: • Vision • Community voice • Representation • Respect • Integrity • Transparency • Academic excellence • Firm property value • Fiscal restraint

I’m Mike Valenti and I am seeking election as your representative on the Briarcliff Manor Board of Education. Information on my background, especially as it pertains to my ability to fulfill my commitments to this Board Member position, can be found on this website in the About Mike section.

If elected to fill this Board position, my desire and commitment is to listen carefully to, acknowledge, and zealously represent all constituencies in the District. Inclusive in the constituencies are:

• Empty Nesters who seek a voice in balancing fiscal responsibility and tax burden against the backdrop of maintaining the reputation of our schools as amongst the best around, which supports and enhances our property values, • *High School Parents* who seek a voice as their children continue to blossom socially, athletically, artistically and academically – moving through a curriculum that prepares them to hopefully attend some of the best colleges and universities in the country, • Middle School Parents who seek a voice as their children transition from Todd into a world that begins their college preparatory years, • *Todd Parents who seek a voice in their children’s educational experience in their critical, formative years, and last but not least, • Parents of preschoolers* seeking a voice in the educational journey their children will soon embark on.

While it is my firm and unwavering commitment to fairly and equally represent all of the groups listed above, I believe it is important to point out that I am a parent who has two children in Todd School (3rd grade and Kindergarten). It is my belief that a well rounded Board of Education must have a Board Member representation from a Todd parent.






I am an independent thinker whose only goal is academic excellence within the constraints of fiscal responsibility. Achieving these goals means a first class education for our children, a reasonable tax situation for residents and firm property values for the entire District.


For more information on my thoughts and beliefs, please visit the Issues section of this website.



My belief is that I bring a deep, broad, well rounded skill set that complements well the skills and abilities of the existing Board members.





I look forward to your support on May 17, 2011.

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Mike

Archive for May, 2010

Briarcliff Wins!!

An Experienced Negotiator: Tough – Smart – Fair

BTA PAC Endorses Mike Valenti for Board of Education

Superintendent Search: A Voice of Experience

An Optimistic Todd Parent with a Vision of Hope

Recent Posts

Archives

Mike

Popular Posts

Archive for May, 2010

Briarcliff Wins!!

An Experienced Negotiator: Tough – Smart – Fair

BTA PAC Endorses Mike Valenti for Board of Education

Superintendent Search: A Voice of Experience

An Optimistic Todd Parent with a Vision of Hope

Recent Posts

Archives