Candidate Profile: Alison Anderson Says Positive Changes Made Over Past 3 Years

The annual budget votes and board elections take place throughout Long Island on May 21. In East Hampton, there are six candidates — Alison Anderson, an incumbent, Nicholas J. Boland, JP Foster, Wendy Geehreng, Mary Ella Moeller, and Rich Wilson — are vying for three positions on the board of education. The following is a profile of Alison Anderson:

Alison Anderson is the only incumbent seeking re-election to the East Hampton School Board of Education. George Aman, the current school board president, and Lauren Dempsey, both decided not to seek another term. 

Before joining the board three years ago, she was the PTA president for seven years at the East Hampton Middle School and East Hampton High School. A stay-at-home mom, Anderson, 49, has three children — Brian, Melissa and Shannon — all of whom graduated from East Hampton High School. She also taught religious education at the Most Holy Trinity parish for eight years, and worked summers at Hampton Country Day Camp. 

Born and raised in East Hampton, she is an EHHS graduate, as well. She studied business at the State University of New York at Cobleskill and Suffolk Community College. She is married to Brian Anderson Sr.

Q: What qualifies you to be a member of the school board?  

I have always been involved in my children's education and I am familiar with the issues and concerns of our educators and taxpayers.  To be an efficient Board member, one can expect to dedicate approximately 30 hours a week to board meetings, extra curricular student activities and research/prep time.  I have the time, knowledge, and experience that it takes to commit to our children, district and community.  

Q: Why do you want to be a member of the school board? 

Three years go by very quickly, I would like to continue to be involved in work that is already in progress.  I also feel that I have been, and will continue to be, instrumental in providing academic excellence to the children in our district while being mindful to the cost of the taxpayers.  I have always been actively involved in the community and feel that it is important to give back.  This will be my second term should the voters choose to re-elect me and I feel that it is very important to choose a board member who understands the complexities of the new State Mandates, Common Core and APPR.  I also feel that I am the right candidate because I have no bias, I have an open door policy to my constituents and am thoughtful and fair in my decision making process.   

Q: If elected, what changes would you like to see at East Hampton Schools?  

During my tenure, we have made many positive changes and I feel that the East Hampton School District is moving in the right direction.  Over the last three years, my colleagues and I initiated many new forms of communication. Through our new website (still in progress), one may email their issues, concerns, or opinions. With the convenience of community members in mind, board meetings now start at an earlier time. Attendees are given two opportunities for public comments. Google groups have been established in all three schools so that administrators can continually update parents with needed information. A new mass calling system has also been effective in keeping parents informed. Revising the hiring process to include involvement from staff members, parents and community members is also a positive change. Should I get re-elected, I promise to continue to make communication and transparency a priority so that we can create a strong and successful school district.

Q: What is the most serious issue facing East Hampton schools?   

As another school year approaches, it promises to be a very critical year. Attempting to work within another 2% tax cap is going to be crucial. In today’s economy, it is not an easy task to create a budget that considers the students educational needs and the taxpayers.  More then 75% of the budget is unfunded state mandates and contractual obligations such as implementation of the NYS Common Core Standards and APPR (Annual Professional Performance Review ). Although there is always the difficult task of making  budgetary cuts, Board members must also focus on the improvement of educational programs.  Balance Literacy and Go Math are two new programs that have been introduced in the Elementary School. Growth in the world of technology will continue in the East Hampton School District as we implement the new S.T.E.M. ( Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) program. With an awareness that students will soon be taking state tests requiring the use of computers, PARCC assessments, new computers are needed. To assure a rate of success, it is essential that our school district provides strong academic opportunities. Shared services, such as Transportation, Special Education and Professional Development Day, is currently being practiced with our neighboring districts. This service will raise the quality of existing services while lowering the cost to the taxpayers.            

ls there anything else you'd like to add? 

As a current School Board Member, I advocated to improve the Middle School building conditions. With the support of the wonderful custodial staff, the school is now a brighter, healthier and safer learning environment.  I was also instrumental in helping the district receive a LIPA rebate in the amount of $213,573.00. This rebate has benefited the district and taxpayers.  

My passion is to focus on the education and academic achievement of ALL children in our school district while being mindful of the cost of our taxpayers.  I am proud to have participated in the appointment of Ana Nunez, our new Bilingual/Spanish speaking Community Liaison.  Ana’s position is funded by a grant and is a valuable asset to our district and the Spanish community. 

As I am ending my first term as a member of the Board of Education, I am confident that my service has had a positive impact on the children and taxpayers of this community.