I would like to thank all who supported my campaign and voted for me for the Board of Education, and I congratulate Ms. Beys, Ms. Sloan and Ms. Nadolne on their well-earned election. While I’m disappointed I was not elected, I am also very optimistic and will absolutely continue to speak out on issues here in Port Washington.
I received over 35 percent more votes than I received in my last campaign. There is a message in those results, and I hope our board and school district is responsive to the public’s desire for more input and transparency. Change takes time and can be unnerving. I wish to encourage others to share their ideas, speak out and ask the important questions. How we are going to keep our fantastic schools strong in the face of annual budget deficits that have eroded our reserves and put our programs at risk?
Ultimately, we all understand how important our schools are to the Port community. We value our teachers, staff and administrators who have been so critical to their success. Port Washington residents are a unique, vibrant and diverse collective. We have many more residents who are middle and working class, minorities and seniors, who face increasing financial concerns than many of the neighboring communities and districts we like to compare ourselves to. Citizens who are outstanding members of our community and are all-in on public education. Many just have less to go all-in with. They also strive for transparency. They want to know that their kids’ safety is actually a top priority. They want to know their opinions are being heard. They want balance with their household budgets and taxes, and would like input on their kids’ education now. At the same time, they want understanding as they plan and save for their education at the next level, as they prepare for their own retirement or provide other non-school activities for their kids and families. And let us not forget the longtime Port residents who are living paycheck to paycheck, like so many in today’s economy. They all want to know and trust they are being represented as valued members of our community, because they are.
Ultimately, good people can disagree about issues and get together, collaborate and compromise. That’s what being a community is all about. Increased dialogue and respect is paramount to keeping our community together.
Long live Port Washington. —Dave Sattinger
