My turn By Paul F. Caskey

I, too, am grateful that the school budget passed and am excited to see new faces on the board.

I resigned my seat on the evening of the election to provide the Warwick Valley School Board the opportunity to have the individual with the fourth highest number of votes to fill my seat until the next election, thereby selecting an individual supported by the community.

When there is a vacancy on the board, the board has the option to have a special election to fill the seat for the remainder of the unexpired term or to select an individual to fill the seat until the next scheduled election.

Filling the vacancy that evening saved the community the cost of a special election.

I feel confident that the newly elected board members will serve the district and community well. No one is “marred with controversy” except in the minds of those who choose to consider them “marred.”

It is with great sadness that I leave Warwick, a place that truly is a Great Community with Great Schools. I was on the board when that slogan was first introduced and few may know this but it was originally proposed as Great Schools, Great Community. At that time I pointed out that we would not have the great schools that we have without the great community and therefore the community should come first.

Some may find it ironic that I, too, I ran for my first seat on the board seeking openness and transparency. What I have learned over the years is that the district does have an open and transparent system yet few individuals avail themselves of the wealth of information and opportunities to comment that are provided.

Board service is voluntary, without pay, and without benefits. Board members devote countless hours dedicating their time and energy to benefit the education of our children and future generations. My experience has been that few in the public pay any attention to the work of the board until some decision is made that they dislike and then they take action.

I once told my daughter that there are three types of people in the world: those who see the obstacles, those who find the bridges and those who build bridges, blaze new paths and seek new options; and we each get to choose which of these people we will be.

In the same vain it is easy for some to sit at their computer and complain about decisions that are made and far more difficult to get off the couch, learn the relevant facts, seek a seat on the board, and actually make the tough decisions. I, for one, have been off the couch, sorting through the data and making decisions along with other dedicated members of the board for over ten years.

With declining enrollment, the new tax cap and continued reductions in state aid, this district has many difficult decisions to make in the coming years. In all likelihood another elementary school will close in the next two years.

It is my fervent desire that the community come together to face the upcoming decisions in a manner that minimizes the controversy and maximizes the educational opportunities.

I am truly puzzled at the notion that bricks and mortar are more important to some than educational program, music, arts and extra-curricular opportunities. Knowing that difficult decisions abound why not become involved; learn the facts, and influence the decisions?

At the same time, please keep in mind that the ultimate decision is up to the seated board. Too often people provide their input and then complain that their input did not result in the decision that they wanted. Board members take in the input, compare that input to the relevant data and then make the best decision that they can make.

Then, they frequently suffer the slings and arrows of those who disagree with the decision.

Over the years I have reminded myself that those who happy with their surroundings rarely take the time to speak out while those who are upset will quickly jump into action and let all around them know that they are not pleased. I take comfort in the fact that for the last several years an overwhelming majority of those who voted approved the budget indicating their support for the work of the board and the future of education.

I may be moving out of Warwick, but Warwick will always be in my heart and in my mind. I love this town, I love the people of Warwick and I love the way this town comes together to help each other in times of need. As previously stated, this truly is a Great Community with Great Schools and it has been my privilege to have been a part of it for the last 16 years.

For that, I thank you all.
Paul F. Caskey

Warwick