Editor’s note: This closing statement was provided by school board candidate Theresa Mohan. The Pelham Examiner publishes statements in the form received as a service to the community.

Thank you for considering me as a candidate in the Board of Education election tomorrow. Running for our school board has had some highs and lows. My favorite part about running has been meeting so many wonderful people in our community and learning about both their positive experiences with our schools as well as areas where they’ve experienced a need for change or expanded opportunities.

My least favorite part of running has been experiencing first-hand the divisiveness that was injected into the campaign through text chains and emails. Despite this attempt to divide, many in our community and all of the other candidates disavowed this behavior and I’m so very encouraged by this response. Pelham needs to continue to be a place where people are comfortable putting themselves forward to volunteer for the School Board without fear of attack.  We need those who want to serve not to be afraid of offering their experience, skills, time, and dedication and to be evaluated for the same. And my thanks go to the five other candidates in this election who have chosen to do just that.

If elected, my top three priorities will be:

1. Creating transparency, open communications, and opportunities for constructive and meaningful dialogue between the community and the Board of Education. And action on those community inputs.
2.  Advocating for innovate programs across all grades that address several dimensions including building emotional resilience, building entrepreneurial skills, addressing academic gaps created or exacerbated by the pandemic and adding more programs modeled on our amazing Science Research program.  We can do this by leveraging the upcoming significant wave of retirements to hire new teachers who will champion such programs.
3. Make sure that every tax dollar is used responsibly.The school represents the biggest budget in our community and needs to be stewarded in a way that benefits our children and does not unnecessarily burden our taxpayers.

Over my 22 years in Pelham, I have been fortunate enough to get to know and serve with volunteers who make a positive and lasting impact in our community. I would like to thank all of those who have taken time out of their very busy schedules to endorse me – Lisa Kiernan and five additional former Board of Education Trustees; Chris and Diane Gomprecht and others with whom I have volunteered in our youth sports programs; Pete Potoki and the other former and current civic leaders from different political parties and finally, Jeanmarie Ward with whom I served as Co-PTA President of Hutchinson Elementary at the beginning of my community service here in Pelham and the others joining her letter.  Here are some of the facts about me that have been highlighted:

• Pelham resident for 20-plus years, during which time I have seen my children through elementary schools (daughters Maggie and Katie through Hutchinson; twins Jamie and Erin through Colonial), as well as Pelham Middle School and Pelham Memorial High School. (Maggie and Katie were class of 2012 and 2014, and Jamie and Erin are currently freshmen.) I am the only candidate with a background serving four of our six schools.
• Co-president of the Hutchinson School PTA
• Trustee of the Village of Pelham (two terms)
• PTA Council
• Site-based council at Colonial
• Pelham Travel Soccer board member
• Coordinator of Our Lady of Perpetual Help-St. Catharine’s CYO basketball
• Coach for recreation and travel sports: Little League, softball, basketball and soccer
• Girl Scout leader
• Attorney, General Counsel and Secretary of the Board, Chief Human Resources Officer

Again, I thank you for your consideration, and I am so grateful for the chance to bring all of my experiences to bear in the role of School Board Trustee. Regardless of who you cast your vote for, I would also like to thank all those who turn out on Tuesday for playing such a vital role in shaping this community and our schools for the better.

Endorsements

Former trustees endorse Mohan for school board, citing her experience as district parent, lawyer and collaborative leader

Current, former Pelham elected officials endorse Mohan for school board

Mohan for school board: Pelhamites back her for organizing youth sports, local service, professional experience

Mohan for board of education: Residents support her for ‘unparalleled’ experience in schools