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CORTLANDT, N.Y. Two incumbent members of the Hendrick Hudson School Board will seek re-election without challengers on the May 15 ballot.
Im a little surprised that were running unopposed, but maybe some people saw that the last year was very difficult, said Mary-Pat Briggi. The 49-year-old mother of three Hen Hud students will enter her third three-year term as a Hendrick Hudson School Board trustee after the May 15 budget vote. Briggi also works part-time for a software company.
She said some of the special challenges faced by Hen Hud include the search for a new superintendent and unknowns surrounding the license renewal of Indian Point Nuclear Power Plants, which provide about $19 million per year to the district.
Its difficult times, and whoevers on a board of education has to make tough decisions, said Lisa Davis, executive director of the Westchester-Putnam School Boards Association. She said she was encouraged by the fact that incumbents continued to run, despite challenging budgets brought on by New York States 2 percent tax cap, among other legislative challenges.
Briggi said she has never calculated the amount of her personal time she spends related to her position on the Hen Hud Board of Education, but members of other districts have said they spend between 30 and 60 hours per month preparing for and attending meetings, committees and classes. Elected school board members in New York State receive no remuneration for their services to the district.
What I didnt realize, was seriously, how much work it is. And I dont mean to pat myself on the back, but its time consuming. Im on four or five committees, not only do you have the board meetings but you have to prepare, said Briggi. Certain times of the year its far more than others, she said about times when the board has prepared a bond, or is preparing the budget.
Barbara Pettersen, a current Hendrick Hudson School Board Trustee, said she thinks when you have solid people on the board that you trust, you want them to remain, and she thinks theyre two very strong board members that are highly respected, referring to her two colleagues running for re-election.
It has been a stressful year obviously, on the flip side though theres a lot of people who came out who are now paying attention, and thats not bad either when theyre aware of whats going on. Maybe theyre not ready to be on the board, but Im glad theyre coming out and getting their voices heard, said Briggi.
Incumbent Laurie Ryan is also running for her seat on the Hen Hud School Board, she did not return phone calls or email for comment by Friday evening.
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