Here are the letters to the editor that ran in the May 4 print edition of the Eagle Bulletin:

Support for Wheeler for F-M Board of Education election

To the editor,

It was recently brought to my attention that Daryll Wheeler is running for the Fayetteville-Manlius Board of Education. It is with great pleasure and excitement that I am writing to endorse her candidacy.

Having served as a board member for several terms, I know that it is critically important to have board members who understand that their role is one of governance. They need to be able to work collaboratively, putting aside their personal and political interests for the betterment of the district. An effective board member works diligently to reach consensus and works toward setting a vision that can be implemented by the superb administrators and educators we hire.

I have known Daryll Wheeler both professionally and personally for many years. I know that she is uniquely qualified to serve our community in this capacity. As an educator in a neighboring district (now retired) and as a professional developer with a school administration degree, Daryll has experience working with schools throughout CNY. Daryll understands education and the need for a strong and cohesive school board. She is an excellent facilitator, able to work with diverse groups of people to find common ground. This will serve her well as the board addresses a variety of issues relevant to F-M. Daryll Wheeler is one of those people who clearly understands the role of the board and how that differs from the role of the administration.

Having raised seven children who attended the Fayetteville-Manlius schools, Daryll continues to have a vested interest in our success — she now has six grandchildren in our schools!

Please join me in voting for and electing Daryll Wheeler to the FM Board of Education on Tuesday, May 17.

Susan Ryan

Fayetteville

Former member and president, F-M Board of Education

 

Reelect Swanson for F-M Board of Education

To the editor,

With three children in the Fayetteville-Manlius School District, I have been deeply committed to the F-M school district and the F-M community for many years. A dedicated parent first and foremost, I volunteered and contributed in many ways long before my election to the F-M School Board.

As a parent and as a school board member, I am committed to the success of all of the schools in the F-M district, and not just the schools that my children attend. I have helped coordinate the bottle/can drive with my kids and their friends for a new drinking fountain at Eagle Hill, organized school sponsored events with the children for food pantry donations and SPCA needs. I have helped clean up Manlius for Earth Day.

I have assisted with the drama productions in both middle schools and the high school, helped with the eighth grade celebration and numerous other events. As a member of the STPA (Student Teacher Parent Association), I volunteer at STPA events and serve as chairperson of the Awards Night at the high school. In addition, I volunteer with the track and crew teams and support the band, chorus and orchestras.

I am also active in our community. My husband and I advocate for a local adult with disabilities so that he can live independently. I make it my practice to buy locally and we support various local businesses through purchases, promotions, charitable events and through our memberships in car and snowmobile clubs. We are deeply involved with these clubs. Cruise nights are not only fun, but positively impact local businesses. My family participates with our snowmobile club trail crews and the membership promotes local restaurants and gas stations.

I have worked with a family directly to assist with home ownership through Habitat for Humanity. My family supports numerous local charities with donations and volunteer efforts including the Rescue Mission. My husband and I are eternally grateful and profoundly indebted to the Crouse NICU and Golisano Children’s Hospital, and contribute to their efforts. I have successfully written two grants for local children with disabilities. We are deeply rooted and committed to our community. Our children go to school here, we belong to a local church, we frequent and promote local businesses and we support local charities.

We are proud, loyal and committed members of the F-M community. Please re-elect me on May 17 and allow me to continue to serve our school district and our community.

Kim Swanson

Manlius

Current F-M School Board member

 

Elect McDaniel for F-M School Board

To the editor,

As a physician, parent and 23-year resident of the Fayetteville-Manlius community, I support Ms. Nancy K. McDaniel for election to the Fayetteville-Manlius Board of Education. Nancy McDaniel and her husband, Dr. Benjamin McDaniel, have been friends and neighbors since they moved into our Manlius neighborhood in 2010.

With three children in the F-M School District, Nancy McDaniel has been an enthusiastic supporter of the district. Her educational and professional background in combination with her activities in the schools has proved her to be responsible, reliable, honest and an outstanding candidate for a position on the F-M School Board.

Ms. McDaniel, a native of Upstate NY, graduated from Gloversville High School, received a B.A. in Public Policy from Duke University, and a law degree from Wake Forest University. She was employed by Morris, Manning and Martin, LLP, where she represented companies in governance, contracts, mergers and acquisitions and financing.

Her direct support of the school district includes two years as Enders Road HSA President, chairing and helping with numerous school events both at Enders Road Elementary and Eagle Hill Middle School and participating in Parent Council Meetings with the superintendent.

She is serving her second year as Enders Road HSA Vice President and her second year on the Enders Road Site Based Team. She is a board member of the F-M Education Foundation.

Her involvement in district activities has given her the opportunity to interact with teachers, staff, principals and students and provided her with first-hand experience and knowledge of how NYS and school board decisions impact students, teachers and parents.

Nancy McDaniel is highly motivated, committed and dedicated to serving our schools, students and community. She has my highest recommendation and I support her election to the F-M Board of Education.

Michael A. Riccione, MD.

Manlius

 

Support Swanson in upcoming F-M school board election

To the editor,

I’d like to say a few things about Kim Swanson. She’s running for her second term for the board of education for the F-M school district.

I’ve had the pleasure of knowing Kim Swanson both professionally and personally for about eight years now. We started off as co-workers, working together for about four years. During that time, she taught me what it meant to be an advocate. Not only for the people we served (we worked with adults with developmental and mental disabilities) but also for myself.

I often found myself admiring the way she tackled problems and always stepped up to the task at hand. We worked with individuals, many with difficult behavioral problems, and Kim was always calm, compassionate and always wanted to get to the root of the problem. She believes in being pro-active, not re-active. When it comes to Kim, she treats everyone as an individual. She wants to find the story behind the people she works with, whether it’s her co-workers or the individuals she’s serving. I think this is what made such an effective problem solver and leader.

After about two years as co-workers, Kim became my supervisor. I would have been crazy to not want to work for Kim. She was supportive of all of her staff, guided us when we needed it, encouraged us when we needed it and found the best in each of us (whatever that was). Kim and I haven’t worked together for about four years now, but we remain in touch and continue to talk when we can. She’s always been a person who I could count on for some words or wisdom or when I needed some insight into a problem.

Kim Swanson is a great role model and advocate. She will be a great asset during her second term on the board of education. Kim has dedicated her life to being an advocate for others, and this is her chance to really make it count. Kim Swanson has the experience and intelligence the district needs and would give the support and dedication the school district and the students need. She’s the type of person every community wishes they had. Reelect Kim Swanson!

Erin Maloney

Perinton, NY

 

Swanson should be reelected to F-M School Board

To the editor,

My name is Shari Martinez. I am a retired soldier, and currently work as a registered nurse at Ochsner Medical Center, New Orleans, Louisiana.

I would like to forward my support for Kim Swanson, who is seeking re-election as a Fayetteville-Manlius School Board member on Tuesday, May 17, 2016.

While residing in Syracuse, NY, I had the privilege of working with Kim Swanson at a non-profit agency. Kim is a team player. She is tireless, dedicated, caring, reliable, resourceful, supportive and always dependable.

Her work and daily life schedule was very demanding, however, her family, community and friends always remained a priority as she rose to the top executive leadership positions. She was able and fully capable of balancing it all very successfully. Kim is an honest woman. She can always be counted on to provide sound judgment. She truly cares about people, her community and education. Kim makes things happen. She is self-motivated and inspires others to develop their own potential.

Kim is helpful and she brings joy to all of those lucky enough to meet her. She is the ideal candidate for your school board. The entire community wins and will greatly benefit from her vast experience and skills.

Reelect Kim Swanson for the Fayetteville-Manlius School Board.

Shari Martinez

New Orleans, LA

 

Support for Wheeler in the F-M school board election

To the editor,

At a time when schools face extraordinary challenges from Common Core, to teacher evaluations, behavioral issues and budget constraints, the need for strong insightful leadership is no longer simply desired, it is now required. Daryll Wheeler has those required leadership skills.

Throughout her educational career her experience has spanned teaching in the classroom, serving in administrative roles and training teachers. Wheeler has the depth of understanding for how schools work as well as what they need in order to be successful every day. She is a lifelong resident of the Fayetteville-Manlius community. Her own children have experienced the district’s offerings, and she is now seeing many of her grandchildren enrolled in the F-M District. She possesses an acute awareness of the educational needs of our community and recognizes the areas in which we can do better.

All too rarely do we find someone with her range of skills and background in education willing to step-up and serve our community on the district’s school board. Who better to serve than one with such experience and understanding of the needs of our children. We can ill afford to miss this opportunity of harnessing her talents to create the best educational system that we can in an effort to help each of our children strive for and reach their potential.

It is with great pleasure and without hesitation that we whole heartedly endorse Daryll Wheeler for the Fayetteville-Manlius School Board. Her political awareness, her understanding of finance and budgets as well as her commitment to learning will assure that our community benefits for generations to come.

Thelie Trotty-Selzer and Jon Selzer

Manlius

 

Reelect Romano to the F-M school board

To the editor,

With F-M school board elections coming up it is imperative that the F-M district have the most qualified and experienced people representing our students, employees, and taxpayers. Our schools are the backbone of the quality of life we enjoy in our community. But of equal importance is the weight of economic pressures, being felt on everyone trying to strike the right balance between spending and prudent belt tightening.

With this backdrop there will be crucial decisions that will have severe consequences for all concerned parties ahead. It is because of this pivotal period that the voters of F-M reelect Elena Romano as an experienced advocate for everyone in our community. Elena’s 15 years of board experience through three changes in superintendents is the only choice we have in making the right decisions as our district faces the most difficult landscape anyone has ever had to navigate.

Her volunteer work, business experience and history of being a steady hand having also served as president of the board is exactly what we need in the difficult years ahead. With her husband, she has successfully parented their three children through the F-M school system. Let’s capitalize on her diverse talents and experience and reelect Elena Romano to our school board. When the tough decisions arrive you will be glad she is representing us all at the table.

Gregg Kidd

Manlius

 

Support for Romano in upcoming F-M Board of Education election

To the editor,

I am writing this letter to express my overwhelming support of Elena Romano as a candidate to the Fayetteville Manlius School Board. Her desire to continue to be a part of this school board after serving 15 years speaks volumes to the hardworking and passionate candidate she is. Elena has worked tirelessly for our school community, students and tax payers and would be a true asset to the school board.

Many years ago I was starting a career working in the travel industry and I was fortunate enough to have the Romano Auto Dealerships as my client. As I took on the responsibility of facilitating travel arrangements for the dealership, I got to personally know Elena Romano. Although Romano Auto Dealerships was a great client, it didn’t take long for me to realize that the personal relationship I developed with Elena was far more valuable than the business relationship. Although no longer in the travel industry, I have been fortunate enough, as has many in the F-M community, to continue to be close to Elena and continue to respect her hard work and passion for this community. Once I became aware of Elena’s interest to continue her work on the F-M School Board, I felt compelled to publicly endorse her as she seeks her sixth term. This endorsement may seem unusual coming from someone who hasn’t actually had a child progress through the F-M schools.

Our decision to send our kids to parochial schools obviously had nothing to do with the performance of the school district, as we all know the district is second to none within the CNY area, the performance that Elena has been a part of during her 15 years on the board. I have the unique perspective of experiencing Elena’s impact on the education system within our community but not directly tied to the F-M public schools.

Having had at least one child enrolled in Immaculate Conception School here in Fayetteville for the past 18 years, I can tell you personally that Elena’s passion and impact for bettering the education of children is not limited to the FM public school system. I can say with confidence that the support and involvement from Elena within the IC Community has had a tremendous impact on my children, as well as countless others. One can very easily look to Elena’s positions while serving on the board as clear indicators of her credentials. Roles such as president of the Fayetteville Elementary Home and School Association (HSA), involvement in Fayetteville Elementary’s Site-Based Team, active volunteer with Wellwood Middle School’s HSA and the F-M High School Student Teacher Parent Association, co-president of the F-M Varsity Football Booster Club, F-M Education Foundation board member, volunteer with F-M Pop Warner Football and F-M Little League and the Town of Manlius Recreation Department’s youth basketball program. Qualities that you may not easily identify in ones bio, qualities such as honesty, generosity, integrity, compassion and thoughtfulness, are all qualities that I have personally experienced from Elena and her family for many, many years. It is for these reasons that I wholeheartedly endorse Elena for a sixth term on the FM School Board.

Kim Sheridan

Fayetteville

 

Letter of support F-M board member candidate Napierala

To the editor,

Fayetteville-Manlius residents are fortunate to have Matthew Napierala running in the May 17 election for the board of education. Matt has deep roots in the community being a Manlius business owner, past President of the F-M All Sports Booster Club, father, husband and strong education supporter both academically and athletically.

Matt understands the importance of core education values as his three children are all successful (first because of their parents) and equally of importance because of the school-community-Board of Education collaboration. Matt has an exceptionally broad educational vision, and he’s dedicated to helping all students succeed. He will listen to constituents and represent the community for all students to succeed!

Matt brings his vision, expertise and dedication to our public schools. I know that he wants every child in our community to have the same support and success that he desires for his three children. We’re lucky to have such an outstanding businessman and public servant standing for election to the school board. He is well organized and a practical thinker who follows through on commitments. He is committed to involving parents in the decisions the school board will face.

Once elected, he would put his considerable energy to work on behalf of all the parents and children in our excellent Fayetteville-Manlius School District. His platform is simple and direct. He does not come with an agenda, but rather a pledge to listen to the needs of parents and children in the school district, and to act upon those interests. He is skilled at making things happen and effecting change when change is needed. Matt will make an excellent member of the board of education. I urge you to vote for Matt in the upcoming election. Vote for Matt!

Grenardo L. Avellino

Fayetteville

 

Support for McGuire for F-M Board of Education

To the editor,

Mary McGuire is a candidate for Fayetteville-Manlius Board of Education. I’ve known Mary as a fellow F-M parent for more than 13 years, when she moved back to Fayetteville as her daughter was entering first grade. She is a native of Fayetteville with deep roots and a commitment to the community. Her daughter is a recent F-M graduate, giving Mary current experience in and knowledge of the schools, including its challenges and opportunities. She’s volunteered throughout her daughter’s schooling, including as a Fay El room parent and in the Wellwood library.

Besides being a community member and parent, Mary also is experienced in public administration and governance. As a professor of political science at SUNY Cortland, she has taught education policy for several years. In addition to being well-versed with current policies, especially at the state level, her background teaching undergraduate students provides an important perspective of public school education.
Mary has participated in Board of Education meetings for the past year and is knowledgeable in the issues students, parents, teachers, administration and board members face. She’s excellent at grasping the big-picture while also being immersed in short- and long-term goals. She’s intelligent, logical and excels at considering diverse points of view. She’s concerned about the success of all students and creating a positive learning environment no matter their background.

Join me May 17 in casting a ballot for Mary McGuire for the F-M Board of Education.

Martha Haddad Ketcham

Fayetteville

 

School Board member supports McGure in upcoming F-M election

I write to give my personal endorsement to Dr. Mary McGuire, Ph.D for election to the Fayetteville-Manlius Board of Education. As a member of the board who served as board president for four years and is its current legislative liaison, I believe that Dr. McGuire has the qualifications to be an asset to the Fayetteville-Manlius School District.

Dr. McGuire is a professor at SUNY Cortland educating future teachers. She has a strong background in education policy that will be helpful to the district as we face issues like school district consolidation and mandates that erode local control of schools. Dr. McGuire’s daughter recently graduated from F-M. She wants to give back in appreciation for the high quality of education her daughter received, and work collaboratively with other board members to seek ways we can improve our district.

This past February, Dr. McGuire was part of our district’s contingent in Albany on School Board Lobby Day to advocate for F-M. She has attended almost all of our board meetings this year providing valuable counsel to me and to our district on matters before the board. Even tempered, fair and passionate about education, Dr. McGuire is the type of board member our district needs who will put children first and work in the interests of all students, not any one particular group. The strength of our district has always been that we excel in many areas while keeping in mind that we want each student to do their personal best in a quality educational environment. Dr. McGuire understands that.

One of the most significant issues our district faces in the next year is how to address concerns regarding our facilities, in particular, our beloved Wellwood. As a long time Fayetteville resident who attended Wellwood (as did her daughter), Dr. McGuire brings a special understanding of the needs of the Fayetteville community to the table. She will look at the whole picture while serving as an important point of conscious and understanding for the board.

Our district deserves the best in public service from its board members with elected officials who demonstrate the highest character while working hard to advocate for our teachers, students and staff. That is what they would get from Dr. McGuire. I ask the residents of F-M to please vote for Dr. Mary McGuire on May 17.

Marissa Joy Mims

Manlius

 

Former F-M superintendent endorses Romano for reelection to the school board

To the editor,

School board elections will be held in a few days and time to re-elect Elena Romano to the F-M Board of Education. Service to one’s community is one of the hallmarks of good citizenship. When that service is directed toward ensuring a bright future for the young people of the community, it is especially meaningful.

Elena has earned reelection to the board. She has demonstrated commitment to the community and its young people with five previous terms on the board and tireless efforts to enhance the instructional program and extracurricular opportunities.

Service on a school board requires enormous dedication and energy. During her time on the board Elena has served as vice-president for a year, as president for three years, and as a member of every board committee. She has given untold hours to promote accountability and improvement in all district operations.

Elena has demonstrated that she cares deeply about young people and their education, and is deserving of reelection to the F-M Board of Education.

Philip Martin, former Superintendent F-M School District

Manlius

 

Support for Romano and Wheeler in upcoming F-M school board elections

To the editor,

I am writing in support of two candidates running for school board this year.

The first, Elena Romano, has been on the school board for 15 years and six terms. She has worked with three superintendents and has a variety of experience she can bring to the board. From my 20 years of knowing Elena, and her deep roots in our community, she will do her best for our children and for our school district.

The second, Daryll Wheeler, is a first time candidate for the school board position, but is no stranger to the system. She has had a career in teaching, had all her children go through F-M, who have become teachers as well. She has seen all sides of education and her wealth of experience would be a perfect fit to our school board.

Please join us in voting for Elena and Darryll this coming election.

Gwyn and Patrick Mannion

Manlius

 

Recommending Swanson for F-M School Board   

To the editor,

I am writing this as a letter of recommendation on behalf of Kim Swanson, a candidate for F-M school board. I have had the fortune of being a neighbor and friend to Kim and her family for well over a decade. I know her heart and the passion she applies to everything she involves herself in.

As a resident of Manlius for over 20 years, a local business owner, current member of Eastern Hills Bible Church as well as a father of four, I share Kim’s heart for the holistic development of today’s student population. Kim understands the constant changing and complex environment youth face today and is well equipped to navigate these waters.

Kim has an impeccable resume of leadership.  With a concern for the youth and underprivileged I have watched her tirelessly work with multiple social concerns without seeking personal gain. She is a natural born thinker, a must when dealing with the enormous task of educational leadership. Her perfect blend of passion and business acumen positions her at the top of the list for the F-M school board.

As a community minded father, I whole heartily give my support to Kim as she embodies the model of listen, live and love.

Allen Olmsted

Manlius NY