Candidates’ Views In Important Upcoming Berlin School Board Election

by David Flint
There are two seats to be filled on the Berlin Central School Board in the election set for Tuesday, May 19. Incumbent Julie Darling of Grafton is running for re-election and will be opposed by John Greene of Berlin. Incumbent Don French will not run for re-election and his seat is sought by John Nash of Grafton and Gina Goodermote of Berlin.
All of the candidates have been invited by the elementary and Jr/Sr High School PTOs to make a presentation at a “Meet The Candidates” night at Berlin Elementary School on Wednesday, May 13, from 7 to 8:30 pm. The session will be moderated by the League of Women Voters.
In advance of this meeting, the PTOs sent out a questionnaire to each of the candidates to help voters get to know them and their views on issues of concern to them. The following profiles are based on the candidates’ responses.
Julie Darling
Julie Darling hails from Middletown and Avon, coming to Rensselaer County when she married her college sweetheart in 1968. She and John lived in Troy briefly before buying the farmhouse built by his ancestors in Grafton. They are the parents of four grown children and grandparents of 9, with another arriving in October. She has been active in the Grafton community, serving as Youth Chair for 12 years – facilitating swimming lessons, summer programs, field trips and youth employment opportunities. As a member of St. John Francis Regis Church she has volunteered in Religious Ed., visiting the homebound and in parish leadership.
Darling was elected to the Berlin School Board three years ago. She thanks the people for this opportunity and now asks for their vote to continue serving. “It takes time to fully understand the intricacies of the BOE process, to try to make sense of the finances unique to school districts,” she said. “The knowledge I have gained is important as we move forward.” Darling added that there is much unfinished business, including choosing a new Superintendent, someone preferably not affiliated with any interest group including Questar III. “There is a need for someone with a fresh perspective, someone who has current training in finance and management. Hopefully we will attract candidates from within the District and from the wider pool of qualified administrators. This search is important to me.” Darling noted that four members of the current BOE voted to consolidate the elementary program, using financial need, student population and proposed savings as their rationale. This year’s budget, she said, does not result in substantial savings. “I continue to be opposed to closing the community schools,” she said. “I voted no to consolidation. The student population should be more evenly redistributed away from the Berlin building, rather than crowding everyone in. I want to continue to be part of this change.” Darling believes that corrections to the Berlin site have been discussed for too long and it is time for action to improve air quality, provide handicap accessibility and perhaps even running water. The recent flu advisory, she noted, recommends hand washing often, yet there is no running water in the classrooms at Berlin. “But at what cost?” She asked. “It is appropriate that BOE members ask many questions and develop deeper understanding of the debt they are being asked to recommend. We have responsibility for conditions learners are being asked to bear. “I am aware that students have many needs, and I deeply respect all the employees of the District who together work to meet those needs: health and safety, transportation, academic development, building and grounds and finance.”
As an elementary educator for 36 years, Darling asserted that she brings depth of experience while listening to the concerns and needs of the children, parents, teachers, and administrators. Her background includes the State University College at Oneonta and The Sage Colleges, including taking additional courses during 2006-07. As a Supervisor at Sage, she travels among many districts and observes best practice, including building projects being thoughtfully implemented.
Darling recalled that upon joining the Board, because she lived at the extreme western part of the District and was less familiar with the whole district, she made a point of riding the morning bus routes throughout Stephentown to better understand the size and transportation challenges. She also completed fiscal oversight training immediately. She took advantage of NYS School Boards Association training courses, including updates in Special Ed. law and an overview of the Superintendent Selection process. She has toured Tech Valley High School, the Distance Learning Center and the Nanotech Center at U. Albany, listening to innovative connections with high school Programs. She attends Future Cities Competitions, Dare Graduations, plays and school events. Darling said she makes every effort to be a well-informed BOE member and responds to calls, letters and “As a member of the Berlin Central Board,” Darling concluded, “I am a thoughtful decision maker. I respect the opinions of others and listen carefully. I recommend that the current and future Board would benefit from a professional workshop to help us become more productive, respectful and collaborative and to create a code of conduct, signed by all.”
Gina Goodermote
Gina Goodermote has been a resident of the Berlin Central School District for approximately 30 years. Her husband, his siblings and the majority of her nieces and nephews are all graduates of Berlin schools. She is employed with the New York State Department of Health, Operations Management Group. Her interests include watching her grandchildren grow up and having them receive a good solid basic education.
Goodermote decided to run for a position on the School Board because she believes that education is important, and, with her grandchildren being part of the equation, she would like to take a more active role in the process and help to get our educational system up to New York State requirements.
Asked what strengths she will bring to the District if elected, Goodermote cited her experience in the Executive Offices of the Health Department which has included involvement in legislative sessions and budget discussions. In addition she has worked with her husband’s small business taking a hands-on role in forming decisions to help make the business successful.
Goodermote said, “I am concerned with the amount of school taxes in the District and also with how far out of compliance our buildings are with State codes. I also want to ensure that we keep and maintain a good educational staff in our District. I will be sure to read all materials pertaining to issues at hand and ask all relevant questions to get a good understanding of our District’s needs so that solid decisions can be made as needed.”
John Greene
John Greene operates Mapledale Farm in Center Berlin in partnership with his father and brother. The brothers represent the sixth generation of Greenes to own and operate the dairy farm. John and his wife of nearly 14 years, Damian Stall Greene, have four children, all of whom attend Berlin schools in grades kindergarten, third, fifth and sixth. Greene notes that he himself was fortunate enough to attend Berlin District schools right through twelfth grade. Upon graduation from Berlin High School, he attended and graduated from SUNY Morrisville, then continued his undergraduate program at Cornell University where he earned a Bachelor of Science Degree.
Greene stated that throughout the years he has come to recognize and appreciate this community and the education he received within it. He is running for a position on the school board for two main reasons. First, he would like the chance to give back to the community that he feels has granted him such wonderful opportunities. Also he wants the children in this community to have the opportunities they need to succeed.
“If elected,” Greene said, “I will bring with me integrity, business management skills, previous board experience and varied connections to the community. In my daily life I strive to be open and honest. Along with these character traits, I have a keen sense of business management. Throughout my career, I have been able to fine tune my business skills by utilizing textbook knowledge in order to manage real life situations. Also, I will be able to draw on previous board experiences. I have served on boards for Cornell Cooperative Extension and my local church. Furthermore, I believe I am well connected to the students and members of this community. I am connected through my own children, nieces and nephews. In addition, my volunteer work with the church community youth group has provided me an opportunity to acquaint myself with high school students. I also have ties to several land owners through my work. The farm rents crop land throughout the District from local taxpayers. These connections will serve to keep me well informed.”
Greene added that he believes the two most important issues at this time are trust and respect. “I acknowledge that there are sensitive, important issues at hand,” he said. “However, without mutual trust and respect, we all stand to lose. My intention is to vote independently but to be a team player on the Board. This means that I will vote my conscience. However, I will not work to undermine Board decisions that are contrary to my own. I would like to ask that you consider voting for me at this year’s Board of Education vote. I believe that I can contribute in a positive way and would appreciate serving the community in such an integral manner.”
John Nash
John Nash has resided in the Town of Grafton with his wife and two children for 15 years.
He is presently employed as a medical social worker at Albany Medical Center supporting children and adults with chronic illness. His interests include, reading, gardening, current events, spending time with family, human behavior, cross country and downhill skiing and practically any activity that allows him to spend time outdoors.
Nash would like to become a member of the School Board because, “I feel we can do better! There have been many events that have occurred in this school district during the time I have lived here that have not been in the best interest of the children and the communities they live in. I am hoping to work toward making changes that will make this school district a place people want their children to attend.
“I believe children and the elderly are our most valuable natural resources. I will work to create a brighter future for all the children in this District so they will have equal opportunity to grow and be productive members of our community.
“I will create a way for the older residents of our District to share their knowledge and wisdom with the children and the community.”
Nash has regularly attended School Board meetings, Long Range Planning Committee meetings and workshops. He has become very familiar with how the School Board functions, and he believes this experience has prepared him for a role as a Board member. He adds that working in the healthcare industry has increased his understanding of how systems function. He has also worked on boards and as a member of an interdisciplinary team for most of his career.
Moreover he believes that his extensive experience and knowledge in the area of growth and development, human behavior, sociology, communication skills and group dynamics have given him skills that will be important for him to draw on should he be elected.
“I am a hard worker, and when I take on a responsibility I do my best to work toward a positive outcome,” Nash said. “I take pride in doing research so I can be informed when making important decisions. I have great communication skills and consider my ears to be my greatest asset.”
The health and safety of all the students in this District is a big concern for Nash. “Decisions have been made regarding the future of this District without adequately considering these issues,” he said. “Moving more children into a building that has radon, mold, dust, asbestos and many other environmental pollutants and no functioning ventilation system is a crime. We need a long range plan that puts the health and safety of our children first!
“Our District needs a long range plan that is a reflection of the needs of all the towns. I feel it is the Board of Education’s responsibility to create a vision for the District and the administration’s responsibility is to work to implement it.
“Through the relationships I have developed and continue to develop there will be many opportunities to keep abreast of differing views and concerns of citizens of this District. I hope to be part of a future School Board that is more open and transparent as well as receptive to community participation.”