To the editor:
I am pleased to wholeheartedly endorse Darra Gordon for the Pelham school board. Gordon is a nationally known and respected nonprofit leader, and her deep experience in managing budgets, strategic planning and working with facilities will serve Pelham well.
Having served on many boards, in Pelham and nationally, I believe that an outstanding board is one that brings together leaders with differing skills, experiences and outlooks, united in their devotion to the mission. In any board election, you must look at what skills are needed to meet the demands of that moment and choose leaders who will add those skills.
Gordon has the skills and experiences we need in Pelham at this moment. She has spent her entire professional life in nonprofit management, including as deputy president and chief operating officer of the national GLAAD advocacy organization, and before that as COO of the Hetrick-Martin Institute (HMI). She led the transformation of GLAAD from a financial deficit to financial health. She oversaw a major expansion of HMI, and worked with the N.Y. Department of Education to support the Harvey Milk High School and create policies to support students there. She has deep experience in strategic planning, facilities management and financial management, which are so important as the board of education tackles the next strategic plan and facilities management plan.
Darra Gordon is a kind, devoted parent and neighbor, dedicated to serving every student in Pelham. We are so fortunate in Pelham to have outstanding volunteers willing to serve, and I thank all of the candidates for stepping forward. I urge you to support Darra Gordon because of her mastery in exactly the issues that face the Pelham schools today.
Katherine Pringle
26 Suburban Ave.