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supporting documentation as needed to CARE@eastchestereducation.org .
Renee Marsh's Background and Positions on the Issues
Years living in the district:  23

Education:  Bachelor’s Degree in Chemical Engineering,
University of Maryland

Occupation:  Former IBM executive, now small business owner

Activities and experience:  Former Board of Education candidate,
very familiar with school issues and practices.  Founder of non-profit
CARE organization, dedicated to balancing academic excellence and fiscal sustainability in
Eastchester schools.  Extensive experience managing people/budgets, designing efficient business
processes and effectively using information technology in their implementation.      

Children currently attending / graduated from Eastchester Schools:  None

What is the district currently doing well?  Providing a good academic foundation.

What could use improvement in the school district?  Fiscal responsibility and transparency;
the Board must resume its check-and-balance role in the system, representing the interests of the
entire community, not just desires of parents or ambitions of educators.   I believe a stable
community is a better community.  Long-term residents should not be forced out and newcomers
should be able to afford to stay to see their children graduate from EHS.   

Has the district done a good job of communicating information to the district community at
large? Do you have any suggestions for improving communications?  
The District’s communications are focused too exclusively at parents and not enough on the broader
community, which represents approximately 70% of resident taxpayers.  Changes are needed,
including a revised Board meeting format more conducive to real dialogue with residents.  I would
also advocate for additional forums with the community, beyond the PTA meetings which, again,
largely involve only residents with children in the schools.

Do you support the 2010-2011 proposed budget?  Not as currently proposed.

What changes would you make to the budget to make it acceptable?  
Reduce expenditures rather than cutting two fifth-grade teachers, as the District has proposed if the
budget doesn’t initially pass.  For instance, the Superintendent and her two deputies voluntarily froze
their salaries; the principals and assistant principals should do the same as they are part of the
“management” team and should show the same leadership.  The many support and administration
positions – parking attendants, monitors, transportation supervisors, assistants, etc. – should also be
reviewed for potential savings.  But the real need for long-term financial reform lies in teacher
compensation.

Do you support the recent amendment to the 2006-2011 Collective Bargaining Agreement
between EUFSD and the Eastchester Teachers Association?  
No; it did not go far enough and should be revisited.  The last contract was too long-lasting and
generous.  Many hoped its renewal next year would provide an opportunity for real reform.  But the
District jumped too quickly at a modest concession offer from the union, revising and extending the
current contract with only minor reductions in annual salary increases for teachers.  This doesn’t do
enough to revise an unsustainable system and provide relief to overburdened taxpayers.

Note:  She interviewed with the Journal News via phone because of late notice about the video interview.
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