To the Editor:

My name is Danielle Gray. I am running for a seat on the Potsdam Central School Board of Education.

I would like the residents of Potsdam to know more about me. I am a North Country native and I have lived in Potsdam since 1994. I am a special education teacher in a neighboring district and a mother of three children currently being educated by our teachers at Potsdam Central.

These are historic times for our school and students. New York State is in a fiscal crisis that directly impacts our teachers, programs, schools, and ultimately our students. The overall quality of our schools in the hands of the members of the Board of Education.

I would like my hands to be among those helping to make important decisions about how tax dollars are utilized and how the children of our community are educated. I want to be a part of making sure spending is adequate for our schools to function properly and to offer the students all we can to prepare them to compete in the world market and ready them for the future.

I would offer the community a strong voice in ensuring our children have a sound educational foundation at Potsdam Central. I am a team player with a background in education. I will be the representative with direct links to education through my job and direct contact to the Potsdam classrooms with having my own children in both the middle and elementary schools. I would like to be the candidate sitting on the Board of Education making sound decisions that will impact the hundreds of students in the district.

Vote for an effective communicator. Vote for someone with leadership and group work skills. Vote for someone who is eager to take an active part in being responsible for creating equity and excellence at Potsdam Central School. Vote for me, Danielle Gray. Polls will be open on Tuesday May 15. Thank you for your support.

Danielle Gray, Potsdam Central Board of Education candidate