To the Editor:

My name is Paul Haggett, and I am running for a third term as a Trustee of the Massena Central School District Board of Education. 

Before laying out my reasons why I feel I deserve voter support on May 21, I would first like to praise, and apologize to, Massena Music Friends.

MMF has for several years, organized a “Meet the Candidates” event in advance of the district wide budget vote and school board election. I applaud Music Friends’ efforts to bring candidates together to respond to questions. It is a great service. Unfortunately, a previous family commitment made several months ago will keep me away from the Meet the Candidates event this year. I am sorry that I’m unable to attend.

The education of our community’s children and youth is not only a basic right, it is also among the most important callings one can undertake. It takes many differing levels of involvement, each with its own challenges, to successfully navigate a community of students through their years of education. Parents, teachers, administrators, support staff, and other adults in the community; all are vitally important components to each child’s educational success.

Another equally important job is weighing the resources that all the above should have access to, and assuring that those resources are equitably and fairly made available to best carry out the educational mission. That is the role of the Board of Education in collaboration with the Superintendent.

During my 10 years on the board, three of which I have served as board president, the BOE has done an excellent job of allocating resources to reflect the district’s vision, mission and goals. Together, we have brought our differing points of view to the table, discussed options and priorities, reached consensus, and cast our votes. All of this being done in public, with the cameras rolling.

I believe the public respects the way our board has conducted its business. The last several years, there have been innumerable stories of communities and school boards across the nation, and even in New York, coming to blows over contentious issues. The Massena school community faced many of those same issues, but has had few of the problems. I believe this is mainly due to the Board of Education earning the community’s trust. All of us, employees, community and school board, are on the same team.

In closing, I want to thank my fellow candidates for being willing to serve as a school board trustee. Any and all are worthy of your support. It has been a great privilege to serve as a school board member. I ask for your support so that I may continue.

Paul Haggett
Massena