Letter to the Editor: 8 Reasons to Support Erica German for Scarsdale School Board

(The following letter was written by Art Rublin.)

To the Editor,

I am writing in support of Erica German’s candidacy for School Board, and in support of the proposed Budget and Bond.

I am writing in my individual capacity - not as Resolution Chair on the School Board Nominating Committee’s Administrative Committee or Chair of the Coalition for Scarsdale Schools.

On the eve of Tuesday’s vote, I offer 8 reasons to vote for Erica to serve Scarsdale students and the community at large on the School Board:

1. Erica has 17 years of experience volunteering and leading parent communities in Scarsdale’s schools. And she doesn’t just have experience - she has accomplished a great deal for our schools, leveraging a strong skillset that includes extraordinary listening and collaboration skills. As President-Elect of Scarsdale's Parent-Teacher Council last year, for example, Erica was very involved in discussions regarding the institution of an electronic grade reporting system at Scarsdale High School. As President of the Quaker Ridge PTA, Erica helped organize three large-scale community-building events designed not just for students, but also to create meaningful connections among parents. Please see letters and other testimonials supporting Erica for School Board, including from PTA/C colleagues and from former School Board Trustees and Officers.

2. In part with the perspective of a former Board of Education member, it is clear to me that Erica is, frankly, the best candidate for the BOE role, particularly at a time that is an inflection point for Scarsdale schools in a number of respects - including budgeting, curriculum and challenges to relations between students.

3. Regarding listening: Erica’s campaign materials emphasize her firm belief in “Listening First.” Erica’s work as a psychiatrist revolves around listening. And Erica has spent years as a Scarsdale parent leader listening to school families and driving dialogue with school building and District leadership. Again, please see the letters linked above.

4. With respect to engaging on District issues as a School Board member: I am confident that Erica would distinguish herself as a thoughtful trustee who would ask probing questions, listen carefully, and engage with Dr. Patrick, her BOE colleagues, parents and other District stakeholders to vigorously address the issues. Erica has engaged in this way as PT Council President and, prior to that, as Quaker Ridge PTA President.

5. On budget issues: Erica is best equipped to engage on and drive discussion on school budget issues as a BOE member. Erica has been engaged on school budget issues for years as a PTA/C leader, this year as PTC President. Over the years, this has included analyzing and critiquing budget and bond proposals and engagement with Dr. Patrick on expenditure and fund balance issues. Erica also runs her own medical practice/business and is responsible for all of its budgeting and financial matters.

6. On curriculum: in the League of Women Voters of Scarsdale candidate forum, Erica was the one candidate who noted that the Board has not only the authority but also the responsibility under New York State law and Scarsdale BOE policy to be actively involved in developing, maintaining and evaluating curriculum, not just through the budget process. For those who have concerns about curriculum, for example in mathematics and reading, I submit that Erica is the best candidate to address the concerns. Among other things, Erica would bring to bear her experience engaging on curriculum issues over the years with District leadership. Here, as with so many District issues, substantial experience constituting active engagement within Scarsdale schools matters.

7. On education more generally: Erica has led parent engagement on various issues. Erica has been actively engaged on curriculum and special education issues, for example. Erica has perspective not only as a parent leader but also as a parent of a current Scarsdale elementary school student and a current Scarsdale High School student. And their brother and sister went through K-12 and are SHS graduates.

8. Erica is also well-equipped to address the recent incidents of anti-semitism in the schools and other challenges to students’ feeling safe and respected at school. A granddaughter of Holocaust survivors, Erica is quite sensitive to the scourge of anti-semitism. Erica has made clear that she believes that “schools have an important responsibility in two areas: discipline and education.” Erica is sensitive to the priority of “programming, education and faculty development that emphasizes respect, understanding of the diversity of the Scarsdale community, and a strong sense of belonging for all students.” On a parallel track, Erica has said, “There must be clear, consistent and firm enforcement of the student code of conduct so that behavior is addressed appropriately and expectations are understood.”

I believe that voters benefit this year from having a choice of whom to vote for in this contested election. That said - regarding the SBNC, for what it’s worth: for those who are interested, below are thoughts. Understood that the below is lengthy. Often, the devil is in the details.

By way of background, the SBNC is a committee of 30 members that, with a majority vote, i.e. just 16 votes needed, nominates School Board candidates for the ballot for a School Board election. Note that most of this year’s SBNC members were elected in uncontested elections. And even contested elections generally do not draw many voters.

From my perspective, when the SBNC works as designed – representatives selected in contested SBNC elections, focused on nominating candidates without agendas - the process is helpful. But in a given year, the SBNC does not work as designed, for one or a combination of reasons. As former SBNC member, former co-chair of the SBNC Administrative Committee and former Edgewood and High School PTA President Nan Berke wrote in scarsdale10583.com last Sunday, “I…have seen times when the SBNC gets it wrong. This tends to happen when personal agendas dominate the group….Fortunately, the SBNC is structured to allow for the possibility of outside candidates, making it more democratic. Non-SBNC candidates have run and won before, and served this community well.”

Erica, being transparent, has said that she sought the nomination of the SBNC. The majority of this year’s committee appears to have deprioritized experience. Whereas Erica has 17 years of experience volunteering and leading in Scarsdale schools, the individuals nominated by the SBNC this year do not appear to have experience leading, or engaging, in the work in Scarsdale schools. To be clear, this is not to denigrate the SBNC nominees. I have worked with Omer in connection with the Scarsdale Forum, and appreciates his work in that organization. This is just to note the difference in experience engaging in Scarsdale schools.

There has been mention in letters by supporters of the slate of what might have been considered by the SBNC in making their nomination. The fact is that experience is the only specific criterion cited in the SBNC Resolution for consideration by the SBNC of candidates, beyond the general proposition of qualifications to serve. The resolution states in the one section in which any specific criterion is referenced, “..[T]he Committee shall question candidates only on their experience and qualifications for Board of Education services and not on their views or stances in connection with specific issues” (III.C.2.(c).(i); emphasis supplied). See the SBNC Resolution at https://scarsdalesbnc.org/about-us/documents/.

Nan Berke wrote in her letter, “Education is Scarsdale’s industry; I think it is vital to pick someone who has shown a commitment to thoughtfully learning about how our schools operate.”

I agree. I believe a vote for Erica on Tuesday is a vote for the benefit of Scarsdale students and the community.

Relatedly, I support the proposed Budget and Bond and encourage a Yes vote on each.

Arthur Rublin
22 Donellan Road