To the editor:

I am heartened to see so many people interested in public service on behalf of our kids and the community. As a two-term school board member I plan to vote for Justin Garwood, Nancy Bernstein and Tori Thurston, and urge my friends and neighbors to do the same.

Tori is a fierce advocate for all students regardless of their background, for rural schools, and is deeply engaged in policy work at the state level. We worked together to expand access to school meals for our families, and she was instrumental in negotiating the SLTA’s recent contract.

Justin has professional expertise in special education and school safety, has his own kids in our schools, and has fierce Red Storm spirit as evidenced by his work that resulted in the creation of our new school mascot.

Nancy has deep institutional knowledge given her many years on the board, and now the board’s VP, given that experience. She has been excellent at advancing Diversity, Equity and Inclusion capacity across the district, and her knowledge of green energy policy will be crucial as we move toward electrification.

Our board has worked hard to put the district on steady footing in the face of declining enrollment, rural outmigration and persistent state underfunding, and these three are a big reason why Saranac Lake is one of the best school districts in our area. I urge you to continue to support our work by re-electing these three board members.

Dr. Joseph Henderson

SLCSD board member

Saranac Lake