The Committee to Elect KT

Living in a community that is passionate about politics, we are constantly reminded of the need to cast our vote every election day. We need to express our preferences in the polling booth in order to affirm our support for our candidates of choice and in their ability to deliver quality governance. In democracy a vote always counts.

We, the undersigned, along with many others in our community, support KT because:

KT will focus on maintaining educational excellence despite fiscal pressures
KT is an active participant in the middle school renovation process
KT will strive to fulfill our district’s commitment to 21st century education with environmentally & fiscally sound practices
KT will continue to be a voice for transparency in government - increasing communication and civic participation
KT is a voice for families with young students in our schools, who are currently underrepresented on our board
KT will vote YES on the proposed school budget

Alice Andrews
Ariana Basco
Wendy & Josh Baur
Gerald Benjamin
Renee Falanga Brenner
Kitty Brown
Janine & Marty Brutvan
Steve Casa
Jonathan &Amy Cohen
Melanie & Ryan Cronin
Scott & Kim Cuppett
Butch Dener
Theresa Fall & Paul Schembri
Joan Fall & Terence McConnon
Matthew, Padraig, Myles,
&Maeve Flusser
Jeff Fonda
Kit French
Flip & Laura Gertler
Teri Gil & Steve Greenfield
Linda & Rich Guiliani
Linda Majetich Hansen
Robin & Joe Hayes
Margaret Human
Peter Kaufman
Ron & Kate Khosla
Rachel & Ryzard Lagodka
Jazmine Langlitz
Cynthia Listort & Rhett Weires
Amy Little
Jeff Logan
Ed Mannix
Amy Mosbacher
Michael Nielson & Nikki Koenig
Brian Obach & Ilgu Ozler
Ben Olsen
Shari Osborn & Paul Carroll
Mark Portier & Celeste Cleary
Todd, Tessa, & Liam Quinlan
Chandra & Chris Rainer
Jasmine Redfern & Cordell Stahl
Carol Richman
Hector Rodriguez
Lauren Rooney
Rebecca Rotzler
Stephanie Santagata
Kathy Schmidt
Jonathan & MariAnn Sennett
Dan Silberger
Amy Silvestro & Tom Richardson
Michael Stein
AW Sullivan
Matthew Swerdloff & Elise Gold
Laura Trifilo
Bill Tschumi
Kevin Van Buren & Toni Hokanson
Christine Waldo-Klinger
Terence Ward
Maurice Wietman
Jason West
Charlie West & Lin Le Lardiere
Mary Woodburn
Jonathan Wright
Rob Wyman & Kristy Tobin
Barbara & Gene Wyman
Eleanor Wolfe & Alex Young
Tom & Jennifer Zaborowski
Michael Zierler & Andrea Russo

Elections are never done deals

The title to the New Paltz Times' synopsis of the New Paltz School District board race was "Done Deal? Teen, activist mom, incumbent run for 3 New Paltz School Board Seats". The question mark in the title was wise, as demonstrated by the results of the Village Board elections this past week. In democratic polities, elections are never done deals -- and this is especially so in New Paltz.

This very recent electoral experience starkly reminds us of the need for all citizens to show up to vote on election day. We need to express our preferences in the polling booth in order to affirm our support for our candidates of choice and in their ability to deliver quality governance. This is true whether the election is contested or not. Voter turnout in elections mark our commitment to community and its leadership. Votes are never, ever, wasted. This is especially true for school elections, because school votes are the only opportunity to approve a budget which we finance ourselves through our taxes. That's too important to pass up, simply because the races for board seats appear to be uncontested.

I submitted my name for election to the school board because I want to focus on maintaining educational excellence despite fiscal pressures. I want to participate in the middle school renovation process, as I believe this project is an opportunity for the district to concretize its commitment to 21st-century education while going green and staying fiscally sound. I want to continue to be a voice for transparency in government -- we need to continue to open up the process and promote citizen involvement. Lastly, I want to be a voice for families with young children, as this representation is seriously lacking in the current board's composition.

On Tuesday, May 19, the day of the upcoming school board and budget vote, I will be pulling the lever for Don Kerr and Daniel Torres and in support of the proposed school budget. I urge you to do the same.

KT Tobin Flusser, Candidate
New Paltz School Board
(this letter appeared in the New Paltz Times, May 13th edition)

Make sure you vote on May 19

I was sorry to read in the New Paltz Times the headline asserting that the New Paltz School Board election is a done deal. I hope that voters in the New Paltz School District will not be discouraged from coming out to vote for the budget on Tuesday, May 19 at the high school beginning at noon. It is important to pass the school budget that the board and the administration have worked hard to make responsive to the economic times without crippling the school program. This budget is actually lower than the contingency budget mandated to be put in place if the board's budget is rejected. That is to say if it is rejected after a second expensive election.

As for the candidates, the village election has just shown us how well a write-in candidate can do.

Please come out and vote for the budget and KT, Dan and Don so that the school board will feel the support of the community in its hard work in the coming year.

Margaret Human
New Paltz
(this letter appeared in the New Paltz Times, May 13th edition)

Pull the lever for KT Tobin Flusser

I would like to add my name to the list of people who heartily support KT Tobin Flusser for New Paltz School Board. She is articulate, responsible, committed, dependable and personable. She cares enormously about this fine community and has shown over and over on numerous projects that she has a reasoned view of problems and solutions, a mature voice when explaining her positions and open ears and an open mind when working with others. We all can be certain that KT will work diligently and effectively on the school board. Please be sure to vote on May 19 and pull the lever for KT Tobin Flusser.

Michael Zierler
New Paltz
(this letter appeared in the New Paltz Times, May 13th edition)

NPUT endorses Kerr, Tobin Flusser and Torres

The New Paltz United Teachers Executive Committee, after interviewing Don Kerr, KT Tobin Flusser and Dan Torres, has come to a unanimous decision to endorse all three candidates running for board seats in the New Paltz Central School District.

Don Kerr has been a dedicated member of the board for a number of years and has brought an open mind to change and forward movement for our district. KT has been involved in community activities and looks to encourage more interaction and communication at board meetings. Dan Torres brings a fresh look to offering programs to students of all interests and ability levels. All three candidates are determined to see the middle school become 21st-century ready to include a green construction while maintaining fiscal responsibility. Through a collaborative effort with the community, teachers and administrators each of these candidates will be a positive voice toward the continued success of student learning in our district.

The New Paltz United Teachers urges you to support the proposed 2009-2010 school budget. We believe our current school board and Superintendent Maria Rice have created a responsible budget which balances the needs of our students, staff and does its best to take into consideration these difficult financial times. We are especially appreciative of the board and the superintendent for maintaining a high-quality educational program for all our students. New Paltz United Teachers, urges you to support our budget by voting YES on May 19 and asks you to urge your friends and family of this voting community to vote YES as well.

Thank you for your time and consideration.

Rachel Busher
President, New Paltz United Teachers
(this letter appeared in the New Paltz Times, May 13th edition)

KT for school board

I'll be voting for KT Tobin Flusser for the New Paltz School Board on May 19. KT's a good decision maker who understands the political process and the impact policy has on individuals and communities. KT is intelligent, articulate, ambitious, good natured, diplomatic, committed, progressive, caring and she loves the beach.

Wendy Baur
New Paltz
(this letter appeared in the New Paltz Times, May 13th edition)

Here's why I'm voting for KT Tobin Flusser

On May 19th I will be voting for KT Tobin Flusser for the school board of the New Paltz Central School District. This is why...

KT is one of the most intelligent people I know. She is open minded to learning what she may not know, passionate and articulate with what she does know and diplomatic when listening to the opinions of others.

For the past few weeks, you have been reading about all her accomplishments and commitments to many organizations and causes. The fact that she is a working mother of three children in our schools, a taxpayer, a PTA member, an activist, a SUNY New Paltz employee, a dedicated volunteer and a person who is concerned with the future for all of mankind, proves she is what the New Paltz Board of Education needs. A well-rounded board member who represents many of the citizens of the New Paltz community.

I have known KT for over five years and have seen her in action! She will be an exceptional board member if elected on May 19th because she possesses the qualities needed to fill such a position.

Renee Falanga-Brenner
New Paltz
(this letter appeared in the New Paltz Times, May 6th edition)

Vote for KT Tobin Flusser on May 19

I am writing to offer my endorsement for KT Tobin Flusser as a candidate for the New Paltz School Board.

I have had the pleasure of knowing KT for more than 15 years. During that time she has been my frequent voice of reason when it comes to issues of politics and public policy. I have never met anyone with a greater passion for understanding the political decision-making process, as well as trying to improve it through increased transparency and public participation.

KT has a wealth of experience directly relevant to being on the school board. Through her distinguished work in the fields of sociology, market research and outreach, she offers a rare combination of skill sets that are well suited to the job at hand. This combined with the fact that she is the mother of three children currently attending New Paltz schools provides the unique opportunity to have someone who can truly see the technical side of policy decisions, as well as the personal impact these decisions will have on students.

The school board needs smart, experienced and visionary members to meet the specific challenges facing New Paltz. It needs members who can respond to educational and community issues without falling prey to special-interest groups or political bickering. Most of all, it needs members who can balance challenging school budgets with well-supported teachers and involved communities. KT Tobin Flusser is that person and much more.

Please vote for KT Tobin Flusser on May 19.

Robert Wyman
Seattle, WA
(this letter appeared in the New Paltz Times, May 6th edition)

KT is a real dynamo

Last winter, our community reacted with outrage when the New Paltz School District announced plans to vacate the historic middle school off Main Street in favor of an expensive and unnecessary new construction near the high school. In an effort to galvanize fellow parents and concerned residents, KT Tobin Flusser led the "Save the Middle School" petition drive, which resulted in successfully getting the new construction off the table. Our community saved thousands of dollars. Since January 2008, KT chaired the "Save the New Paltz Middle School" committee and has regularly attended school board meetings. Now the dynamo who led the charge for fiscal responsibility, environmental stewardship and a great landmark is seeking a seat on the New Paltz Central School District board in this coming May's election.

Why should you vote for KT?

First of all, she has already shown more commitment than many already-elected officials to her community and to the school district. She blogs to raise public awareness of issues confronting the school district (such as the drive for healthier, local foods in our schools), and she accompanies her very vocal support of community and environmental issues with avid and active participation -- she serves on the New Paltz GreenWorks steering committee and the Village Environmental Conservation Commission (EnCC). KT has consistently demanded transparency and openness in the school district's financial records and budgets. KT is not a spectator -- she is a motivated, involved, enthusiastic participant in our community and school system.

Secondly, she has a vested interest. KT owns a home in the village (so she's going to think very carefully about anything that will impact property taxes), she lives near the middle school and she has three school-aged children at Duzine, Lenape and the middle school.

I'm going to vote for KT and I'm going to be very happy about casting that vote.

I was incensed that the school district would even consider a new construction that would inevitably raise our already too-high taxes. I'd like to see healthy school foods taken more seriously. I think parents need more voices on the school board and more people watching for fiscally irresponsible planning or anything that looks like capitalizing greedily on the area's growth and prosperity. I think the school board needs green voices, who want to see environmentally sound policies in place.

KT Tobin Flusser is just what the school board needs -- radical responsibility. I hope you will join me in supporting her for a seat on the school board.

Jennifer Zaborowski
New Paltz
(this letter appeared in the New Paltz Times, May 6th edition)

New Paltz Teachers' Union Endorsement

I am very happy and proud to announce that the New Paltz's teachers' union has endorsed my school board candidacy.

Thanks NPUT!

"Education is not a spectator sport." - Sadker
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