LETTER: Heather Petro Announces Candidacy

(Editor's note: The following is a candidacy announcement submitted to Windham Patch. If you'd like to reach out to us and announce your candidacy, submit a letter and photo to Local Editor Michael Ryan at michael.ryan@patch.com)

By Heather Petro: 

Dear Windham Residents, 

It is with great enthusiasm that I announce my candidacy for a three-year term on the Windham School Board.  My husband Steven Perlberg and I moved to Windham eleven years ago.  We are proud to be raising our three children, ages 11, 9 and 3, in a community that values excellence in education.  I have been actively involved in many education initiatives since moving to Windham, including: 

• Founded the Windham Public Kindergarten Initiative in 2002 and worked closely with the State Department of Education and the Windham School District for five years to bring public kindergarten to Windham.
• Co-created Windham LINK in 2009, a popular website and e-newsletter designed to inform residents of educational issues facing our district. 
• Served on Facilities Master Planning Committee from 2010 to 2011 and have in-depth knowledge about the capacity issues facing our district. 
• Began an education blog in 2011 that publicly shares my views and reflections on education. 

My professional background includes work as a fund-raiser and grant writer in the non-profit sector.  At Family Service, Inc., a non-profit social service agency, I oversaw the implementation of a capital campaign and worked with the Board and Director to meet yearly funding goals.  I also served as their grant writer and worked extensively with the CFO to develop program budgets and ensure compliance.  

Prior to Family Service, I worked at the United Way of Massachusetts Bay as a fund-raiser for both their state and local government campaigns.  My extensive experience working with non-profit agencies has made me acutely aware of how the economy affects funding.  Donors, like taxpayers, want to ensure that you are being fiscally responsible with their dollars.  As your School Board member, I will work to ensure that our actions have academic and economic value. 

Over the last two years, Windham residents have supported the development of a facilities master plan.  I am confident that this plan will lead us in the right direction for years to come.  I strongly believe that preserving our reputation as a town that values education will ensure that Windham remains a desirable place in which to live.  With a student population that exceeds 2,600, we have to recognize that both our students and schools are an asset worthy of a long term investment. 

Windham will be graduating its first senior class this spring.  As we celebrate this milestone, I am reminded of the team of dedicated people who have worked hard to get us to this point. From parents, guardians, coaches, and volunteers, to School Board members, the Administration, and educators who work with our children every day; each of us is part of a team whose common goal is to prepare our children to enter the world with the skills they need to succeed.  

It would be my honor and a privilege to be part of the team that helps ensure your child's success and our community’s future.  Please vote for Heather Petro on Tuesday, March 13, 2012.  Thank you in advance for your vote of confidence.

Sincerely,

Heather Petro