There are 7,200 reasons why I would like to be a member of the Massapequa Board of Education, and they walk through the doors of our school buildings each and every day. They are the children!

I want every child to be the best that they can be, whether it be a ditch digger, sales manager, teacher, telephone lineman, police officer, doctor, fireman or a stay at home parent. I want every child to be able to compete with his/her peers for whatever position they hope to achieve. Children depend on the adults around them to do the best they can for them. I would like to be one of those adults.

I grew up in Massapequa. I went through the system and graduated from Berner HS. I have been an active member of Massapequa PTA for 10 years, and am currently PTA council president. I have been a Girl Scout leader, taught religion classes, and am a member of district and community committees. I have always been an advocate for children.

With the new education standards, our children are going to have more pressure and higher expectations put on them. For some, the new standards will just be business as usual, but for a large group of children, they will be forced to take part in Regents exams they have never been exposed to before. I want whatever support is necessary for all children to perform to the best of their ability. I would also like to see our children receive the technological experiences they need to compete in the 21st century. Without this, they will not be on par with their peers. Technology is the future, and our children are our future! I also want to see a nine period day at MHS. Our district offers many wonderful electives, but children's schedules have limited space with only eight periods at the high school.

I am also very sensitive to the fiscal responsibility of being a board member. I don't have a pot of gold in my backyard, and I know that no one else does. My husband, John, and I have lived through two downsizings in corporate America. We know what it is like to wonder how you'll make ends meet. I will keep that in mind when making financial decisions that will affect your household.

My last goal is to bring this entire community together. I want to see everyone working together to make Massapequa a place where people want to be, and a place that people are proud to call home. I believe through honest communication and taking time to build trust that this will happen. I know that if we all come together, we can and will accomplish great things. Let's make it happen!

I leave you with this. I am not a college graduate. I went to a trade school after graduation and then on to work. I have a lot of life experience and common sense. I will make no promises or guarantees but, I will always take the time to listen and try to make the best decisions for the children and community of Massapequa, because they both mean a great deal to me. Thanks for your vote of confidence.