To the editor:

I am gladly penning this note to express my strong support for Sid Burke in the upcoming school board election. I had the great pleasure of working closely with Sid during the time when he served as the chairman of the board at the Amani Public Charter School. I am the founder and executive director of Amani, as well as a Pelham resident. Additionally, I sent three of my children through the Pelham public schools. I can attest to Sid’s deep commitment to education, his broad knowledge of the school community’s issues and his strong leadership skills.

Sid not only served as chairman of the Amani board, but he was also a founding board member, serving for a total of 11 years. During this time, he developed a proven track record of working collaboratively with stakeholders to achieve positive outcomes for our students. He shepherded the Amani board through the initial years of growth. As a new school, Amani had to build a strong academic program with very limited resources. The board, led by Sid, acted with fiscal prudence, managing the limits of public funding while meeting the mission of the school. Additionally, Sid had to navigate contentious community situations and maintain the program through the pandemic. These were not easy times, and Sid always led with grace.

Sid is a strong advocate for equity and inclusion and is committed to ensuring that all students have access to the resources, support and opportunities they need to thrive. He understands the importance of supporting teachers and staff and is committed to providing them with the support they need to excel in their roles.

Pelham, like all school communities, faces challenges and opportunities, and it is critical to have strong and capable leaders on the school board who can help navigate these complex issues and make informed decisions for the benefit of students and staff. I can attest to Sid’s strengths in this arena.

In short, I believe that Sid is the best candidate to help Pelham meet the challenges and opportunities ahead, and I strongly encourage you to vote for him in the upcoming school board election.

Debra Stern

40 Third Avenue