On behalf of the parent voters in the Southern Cayuga Central School District, I would like to thank the parents and community members for their support during my past three years of service on the board.

I feel that overall, our board has been able to do some great things for kids and the community. I also feel that I can leave my service knowing that I made decisions that were fair and well researched.

As a current board member I cannot tell this community to vote “yes” on the newly adopted budget ... but what I can request of you, is to vote! As a parent and taxpayer I can ask you to become informed.

Please don't make decisions for our children based on innuendoes and rhetoric. That is what defeated the first proposed budget. Our children are worth every penny that we have to spend, even though for many it is becoming increasingly harder to do. We are very lucky to have district stakeholders interested in supporting our children in their journey to becoming successful adults.

Their futures do count on the education that we are providing for them. If they can't be a well-rounded, academically prepared student when they leave us, what chance do they have to succeed in the future as an adult?

There is much work to be done in the upcoming year. Parents need to continue to be active and informed, now more than ever.

Your input has made a difference in the decisions that have been made at the board level. It is often easier to criticize when you are watching from the sidelines, but far more difficult when you live it everyday as a school board member, and you let your voice be heard.

A “fair” board listens to the community they represent, even if they don't personally agree.

What we must realize is, these issues are not only about our children and their futures, but also about our community, and its future.

Michelle M. Dean

Aurora