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

Dear Pelham Neighbors,

My name is Annemarie Garcia, and I am running for reelection to a second term as a Trustee on the Pelham Board of Education. It has been a privilege to serve our schools, and I remain committed to working collaboratively with the District and families, keeping students’ needs and careful fiscal oversight at the center of every decision.

How I Approach the Role

Being a Trustee is not about advocating for an individual platform; it is about working as one of seven Board members to guide the District responsibly, supporting students of all abilities, ensuring fiscal stewardship, and representing the community’s interests. It also means understanding the distinct roles of the Board and the District—respecting the Board’s governance role and the District staff’s professional expertise while working collaboratively to make informed decisions.

With a career as an executive coach and a background in engineering, I combine people skills with process-oriented thinking. I work to break issues down to their core and stay transparent about challenges. Not every decision the Board reaches will satisfy everyone, but ensuring people feel heard is essential to maintaining trust. That trust allows us to set a strong direction for our schools while ensuring our community is meaningfully included in the process.

Why Continuity Matters Now

With significant changes coming from many directions—including New York State’s Portrait of a Graduate framework—and ongoing financial pressures, Board experience is critical. I have focused on ensuring that all students receive the academic and emotional support they need to achieve their personal best, and I remain deeply committed to that work.

I bring three years of demonstrated service as a Board Trustee, serving on three committees: Personal Growth & Achievement, Policy & Governance Monitoring, and Wellness. I bring 16 years of Pelham-focused volunteer leadership to my role, including:

• Hutchinson PTA President and PTA Council President

• Site-Based Council member

• Pelham Education Foundation Board member

• Pelham Together Advisory Board member

• Service on numerous District and PTA committees

These roles have given me a thorough understanding of student, teacher, and family perspectives, as well as insights into the history of our schools and how Pelham became the exceptional district it is today.

Accomplishments

I am proud of what our students and schools have achieved. Some of the highlights include: Pelham’s science research program is top-ranked in the U.S., with students competing at the Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair. Students have excelled in regional spelling bees, and we have more than doubled participation in expanded workforce preparation through BOCES career and technical training. The District maintains rigorous, open-enrollment AP and dual enrollment courses, making them accessible to all students.

We have invested meaningfully in mental health at all grade levels, including an on-site mental health clinic with Student Assistance Services and a partnership with Pelham Together offering English as a New Language support groups paired with wellness assemblies for students and workshops for families. With support from the Pelham Education Foundation, our “We Are Pelham: Fifth Grade Edition” builds community among students, smoothing their transition to middle school. Our Sock-N-Buskin theater program has earned Roger Rees Award nominations and a win during my tenure; our Jazz Band, Orchestra, and Chorus earned top honors at the 2025 WorldStrides Heritage Music Festival; and our athletes continue to commit to compete at the college level.

Challenges and Looking Ahead

None of these achievements came easily. They required balancing strong educational priorities with fiscal discipline. During my time on the Board working closely with my fellow Trustees and the administration, I have helped advance foundational goals that further solidify Pelham’s place as a high-performing District.

This has included contributing to the development of the District’s 2024-29 Strategic Plan, setting clear expectations for the District’s strategic communications, advancing a successful capital improvements bond, and guiding the District in maintaining program excellence while staying within the tax cap—at a time when many neighboring districts have exceeded it.

Going forward, Pelham must continue offering programming and special services that match students’ academic and wellness needs, meet state mandates, and respond to the growing impact of AI on teaching and learning—all while managing rising expenses. How Trustees navigate these challenges will be critical.

While both our children have recently graduated, my husband José and I have chosen to remain in Pelham because we believe deeply in this community and its schools. I want to continue serving as Trustee so current and future students can thrive. While Board decisions are made collectively, I will continue to focus on:

• Strategic Plan Implementation: Thoughtful execution of our strategic plan with a focus on supporting students academically and emotionally to the fullest.

• Financial Transparency: Clear communication about our financial realities so the community understands the constraints and trade-offs behind our decisions.

• State Mandates: Strong guidance through New York State’s graduation changes, including the Portrait of a Graduate, ensuring integration of standards that build from the elementary schools all the way through high school.

• Responsible Technology: Careful attention to how AI and classroom technology shape education and wellbeing—ensuring we integrate these tools responsibly, reflect digital citizenship standards, and prepare students for post-graduation success.

As a Board Trustee representing you, I will always ask the hard questions, make thoughtful decisions, and stay focused on what matters most: our students and the strength of our schools.

I hope to earn your vote on May 19th.