Biographical statement:
Twenty years ago, my husband and I relocated to the USA from the UK due to job transfers with our three children. Our family was complete with the birth of our youngest son who is now 15 who attends MHS. All of our children have attended Mamaroneck Public Schools for some or all of their pre-college education and three of our four children are into the next chapter of their lives.
I was employed by Goldman Sachs for eighteen years and transferred to head its Corporate Services for the Americas group in 2000. Ultimately, I served as a Managing Director and Chief Operating Officer for Global Corporate Services where I oversaw strategy, budget and execution of a range of global business operations with a budget of $200 million.
Since 2005, I have held numerous community volunteer positions, serving as the President for the Hommocks Middle School PTA, the Mamaroneck Schools Foundation and the Windward School PTA. Today, I currently serve as the President of the PT Council of Mamaroneck Schools, am part of the leadership team of the Larchmont Mamaroneck Hunger Task Force, and am involved in the newly formed Coalition for Community.
My undergraduate degree in Financial Economics is from the University of London.
Why are you running for the Mamaroneck School Board?
When asked why I would like to serve on the school board, I believe it is simple. I would like to continue to give back and strengthen the existing work of our School Board and the District.
The overarching role of the Board of Education is to ensure that all District administration, staff and teachers establish goals and programs that ensure our school system works for all our students whilst maintaining fiscal responsibility.
With the support of our school system, every student in our community has the right to be educated and to have equal access to the services offered to them in our democratic society. It does not matter where students live in our two villages and one town, they must all have the same opportunities to be successful and be respected and in return show respect to others.
The school system should support students to:
- Be prepared for college and/or the workforce
- Be nurtured to fulfill their diverse potential
- Be encouraged to become well -rounded individuals
- Be empowered to live a productive life and become good citizens
My campaign platform outlines how I hope to support the above guiding principles. More information www.sallycantwell.org
What is the biggest issue facing our schools, and how can you help address it?
One truly concerning issue is the ability for the school district to continue to educate all students equally so that they can all thrive and reach their fullest potential with the many constraints on budgetary funds. However, every challenge that the District faces is ever-important and ever-evolving, and ultimately affects our children. Each elected board member needs to be well-versed on all the factors that play into both the long-term and day-to-day decisions that must be made. Board members must be committed to working hard on behalf of our District on all issues independently of our own personal situations and preferences.
The future will depend on the constant review of the current fiscal and educational environment, striving for cost effective ways to adapt, change, improve and educate our children. We must strive to be at the cutting edge of education whilst ensuring that all of our students are prepared for life’s challenges and triumphs in a way that best suits them and recognizes them as individuals.