WE NEED TO RE-ELECT JOANNA COMMANDER

Received from Maria Aughavin, Glen Head
​May 1, 2017

Dear Editor,

​It’s that time of the year again.  The North Shore residents will be asked to vote on the annual school budget and elect two trustees for our Board. 

This year we have an enormous amount of transition happening at North Shore.  The new Superintendent starts in August and we are currently in the process of searching for a new middle school principal.  IB vs. AP questions continue to arise. 

The Board and Administration will have their hands full over the next few years focusing on academics and the goals of the academic programs.  At the present time, we need a strong advocate on the Board that will focus on the extracurricular programs at North Shore, especially the athletics.  I understand academics should be first and foremost and I feel with all the transition, academics will take a front role by our administration and our Board.  However, I do fear that as a result of the transition that the athletics and extracurricular opportunities will take a little bit of a back seat to the academics. 

We need a voice on the Board that will ensure the students at North Shore will continue to have access to the opportunities that come from the arts and athletics.  We need to re-elect JOANNA COMMANDER!!    
Joanna Commander’s experience includes teaching, coaching, athletic director, and adjunct professor.  I had the pleasure of working with Joanna on the North Shore Athletic Booster Club.  Joanna understands the value of athletics for student athletes and with increasing budget pressures and the transitions I like knowing there is a voice on the Board that truly understands the value of athletics programs in a community and will fight for the athletic programs within North Shore. 

Joanna however is so much more than all that.  As a current Board member Joanna is providing the leadership for the North Shore Coalition Against Substance Abuse, an organization of parents, school personnel, students and community members to develop evidence based strategies for the prevention of substance abuse in our community.  Joanna is truly what she notes on her banners, she is fair and honest and has a wealth of experience. 

​Please help me get Joanna re-elected to the North Shore Board.  I know Joanna will continue to work hard for the students and residents of North Shore.  Joanna will continue to work with all the members of our Board to ensure the most fiscally responsible programs and budgets are presented to the residents of North Shore.  

Maria Aughavin