Candidate for
Member, Board of Education; Croton-Harmon Union Free School District

I am writing in support of Lisa McManus for the Croton school board. While I am sure that all the candidates would do a good job, I think Lisa McManus is an exceptional candidate. For several years she had one child in each of the three Croton schools and therefore has been able to view the whole system-- with all its strengths and weaknesses--from a wider perspective. She has worked hard over the years as a volunteer with the PTA and knows a lot of the ins and outs of running a school district. She is the type of person who realizes that good teachers are the backbone of a school district and that the key to successful public education is hiring and retaining excellent teachers.

On multiple occasions I have used her as a sounding board for questions my wife and I have had about parenting and education, and she has invariably come up with a thoughtful, well reasoned response. In these difficult economic times, I feel she is just the right person to balance the need for financial responsibility with the need to respond to different educational constituencies. In addition to being intelligent, well informed, and open to new ideas, she also has a great sense of humor. What more could one ask for?

Paul G. Kleinman, M.D.

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I am writing to express my support for Lisa McManus in the upcoming Croton- Harmon School Board election on May 19.

Lisa has a passion for education that is unmatched by anyone I know. She wants our school district to be the best it can be--for all the children in all grades and all levels--and she would make that her goal as a member of the School Board. She would bring to the board her many years of volunteer experience in all three schools in the district, her deep interest in and knowledge of education K-12, her professional background in communications, and her considerable energy and intelligence to help make that happen.

As former president of both the CET and PVC PTAs, she revitalized those organizations and made them stronger than they were before. She has also worked diligently on the District Long Range Planning Committee and the Building Planning Councils at CET and PVC. She believes in the power of new ideas and constructive debate, but she also understands the importance of reaching consensus and working for the good of the whole school community.

Now more than ever, school boards are presented with a diverse array of challenges--from balancing budgets to adopting and maintaining district policies to dealing with state and federal mandates--which can at times make it difficult to stay focused on the ultimate goal: ensuring the best educational experience possible for all the children of the district.

One of my favorite things about Lisa is that she always brings the focus back to education and she always asks the question, "How can build on what we have accomplished and take it to the next level?" I personally would welcome that kind of forward-thinking perspective on our school board as we move ahead during this time of change and opportunity in our district--and that is why I will be voting for her on May 19.

Sincerely,

Janet Kraybill
Croton-on-Hudson

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A short note to wholeheartedly endorse Lisa Mc Manus for election to the Croton Harmon School Board. We have known Lisa for over ten years and have always found her to voice strongly her beliefs in supporting what is best for the children of our community. We have personally witnessed Lisa's pragmatic and studied approach to various situations that have arisen in our community and have been impressed by her logic and reasoning. Her dedication and enthusiasm will undoubtedly enhance the school board during these difficult times. We believe she is the right person, at the right time for this important task.
Many thanks.
Sincerely,
Alice and Tom Habib

I am writing to express my support for Lisa McManus for election to the Croton Harmon School Board. Lisa has been my wonderful neighbor and friend for the last 10 years. I have seen her commitment to the children of Croton in her work as President of the CET and PVC PTA's. She has been a parent representative on the Building Planning Council and has volunteered on numerous committees and projects that have spanned all three Croton schools.
Just ask her a question about an educational issue in our schools and you will receive a well informed, thoughtful, to the point answer. I think she would be a great addition to the School Board.

Sincerely,

Eileen Clark

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The fact that five parents have volunteered their time and service to our community by running for School Board speaks volumes about the town we live in.

I am writing in support of Lisa McManus for school board. I have known Lisa for over 10 years. Lisa is our neighbor who is always there when you need her, who organizes the after school activities with our kids, and who, if you did not know, you would think is already on salary at the school since you see her there so often. She has been President of the PTA and has also been involved as a team parent and volunteer in AYSO and Little League.

As a commuting Dad, I try to stay active in school functions when possible. If I have a questions about the schools for one of my kids, Lisa has the information. At the same time, she is a good listener and I feel confident she will convey to the board the concerns that many of us have about issues ranging from the condition of our playing fields to the ongoing need for fiscal prudence.

We need our board to be active not only in a macro role working on budgets and hiring superintendents, but they also need to be plugged in at the micro level, getting to know the teachers, staff ,and students. Lisa has always been active in CET, PVC, and the High School as she has had children in all 3 schools.

She will be a tireless advocate for our children. Lisa has good ideas and strong opinions and is not afraid to share them, something that is needed in our correct world.

Fran Gennarelli
Croton-on-Hudson

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We are writing in support of Lisa Grinberg McManus for school board.

Lisa has a proven track record of decision-making in support of the best interests of the larger community in all her endeavors, from funding diverse enrichment programs to facilitating parent education opportunities and helping parents find the information they need to advocate effectively for all our children. As working parents, we really appreciate her efforts to keep us in the loop.

Lisa McManus has the experience to ask tough questions and expect answers that make good sense. We all agree that the educational professionals set the course in our schools, and we would not want it any other way, but it=2 0is beneficial for parents to be involved in the process too. Lisa operates by consensus and inclusion, values all opinions, and is sensitive to the needs of our entire community -- we think she will make a great board of education member.

Please join us in voting for Lisa Grinberg McManus on May 19.

Michele and Tim Glover

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We are very happy to support Lisa Grinberg McManus in her run for Croton school board trustee. Lisa has a long (ten year) track record of volunteerism and leadership in the school system and is not afraid of hard work. She has the respect of both students, who know she can be counted on to speak for them, and parents, who value her unique K through 12 perspective. Lisa is intelligent, analytical and a thorough researcher willing to examine all aspects of an issue before coming to an informed decision. Most importantly, she is open, approachable and courageous enough to chart a new course when a different direction is indicated. Having welcomed endless friends of her three children into her home, Lisa will extend that same care and dedication to all of Croton as a school board member.

Kathy and Mike Kelly

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I am writing to encourage my fellow school board voters to consider Lisa Grinberg McManus when you make your selection on May 19. The McManus family is one of five Croton families whose children are in the same grades as our children. Solid friendships have evolved, as they often do
in Croton, as a result of class parties, plays, and related school activities. In addition, over the years I have been a happy companion to Lisa for many hundreds of laps around Spencer Field. I feel comfortable saying, with 100% confidence, that Lisa is one of the smartest (and
funniest) people I have the pleasure of knowing. Did we discuss movies on those multiple revolutions? A bit. Did we chat about books? Some. Politics? Sure. However, the majority of our conversations grew out of Lisa's passionate commitment to the education of Croton's children. She
has been a tireless volunteer in many capacities and a relentless ponderer of ways to maximize the learning experience for all our kids. I hope you will join our family in voting for Lisa McManus on May 19.

Sincerely,
Susan Hart Smith