It's always nice when a Board of Education candidate finds the time to address a few sentences to The Public. Anyone familiar with the Newburgh Board of Education will appreciate what a rare event this is. This is from the Friday, May 16, 2008 issue of The Sentinel, a small but worthy paper.

Vote For David Rein

To the Editor and Readers,

My name is David J. Rein. I have been a resident of Newburgh for over 35 years. I am a graduate of the best school system with the best Teachers and Staff in New York State, the Newburgh Enlarged City School District. I am proud to have served on the Newburgh School Board from 2004-2007. I am a homeowner and taxpayer in the Town of Newburgh. Most importantly, I am the father of two Newburgh students and the husband to a fantastic wife and teacher who works here in Newburgh.

Next Tuesday, May 20, 2008, you have the responsibility and opportunity to vote for School Board Members as well as next year's budgets. There are several good candidates seeking a seat on the board this time around; I would like to take a moment to inform you why you should vote for David J. Rein.

During my tenure as a board member, I worked very hard for the safety and welfare of our students and staff. I successfully lobbied Senator William Larkin personally for funding for cameras on our school buses. Any parent of a child who rides a school bus knows the difference these cameras have made. I routinely advocated for the maintenance and clean up of our athletic fields, South Junior High in particular, where broken glass and drug paraphernalia is often found after fair weather weekends. Furthermore, I was and still am a strong advocate for our security team because I truly believe our teachers and students deserve to work and learn in a safe environment.

In addition to Health & Safety issues, I also took an active role along with other board members in conceptualizing and planning for the implementation of the district reconfiguration currently taking place. I remember growing up here in the 1970's when our current Deputy Superintendent Ralph Pizzo taught at Temple Hill when the Temple and Meadow Hill Schools were K-8. Well two great things have returned, Mr. Pizzo is working for the district again and the K-8 programs have returned to the Hill Schools.

Finally, I am an independent voice, someone not intimidated to ask hard questions -- someone who will advocate for the taxpayers at large; this is something our school board sorely needs. I believe the most important special interest a school board member should serve is the students and their parents. The district's employee unions have endorsed all of the current board members, including the two incumbents seeking re-election. Who is looking out for the other 28,000 taxpayers? I will! I encourage you to elect at least one board member who will collaborate fairly and openly with the NTA, CSEA, NSAA unions but whose decisions will not be influenced by their endorsement.

If you read this letter then you are likely to participate in the Newburgh School Board and Budget vote next Tuesday. I would kindly ask that you consider carefully all that I have shared and vote for me, David J. Rein. It’s truly in your best interest.

Thank you for your time and consideration,

David Rein