Merrick School Board Candidate: Sigal Negrin

My name is Sigal Negrin and I am currently seeking election to the Merrick Union Free School Districts Board of Education in the May 2013 election.

I am a 17-year resident of Merrick, and live with my husband Elliot, daughter Alix, who is an eighth grader at Merrick Avenue Middle School and son Benjamin, a fifth grader at Birch Elementary School.

I received a Bachelor’s in Psychology from State University of New York at Oneonta and Master’s in Social Work from Adelphi University.

In my five years as PTA President, I have actively bridged relationships between parents and teachers creating a collaborative and effective path to change. I intend to fight for that same unity as a Board of Education member so that in challenging times, we are a highly effective team.

In my most current term as President of the Birch PTA, and with the support of administration and teachers, I spearheaded the first anti-bullying program educating parents, teachers and students about the horrible long-term effects of bullying. We initiated assemblies, speaking programs and classroom projects that help build student morale in our school buildings. That harmony has enabled children to focus more in the classroom and work together.  It also helped our district insure compliance with the Dignity for all Students Act (DASA), which took effect in June 2012.

My two term PTA presidency has allowed me to gain knowledge of budgetary issues, CCLS as well as APPR.  Having a child in the district enables me to bring to the board a vital insight and voice that represents teachers, parents and children; a balance our community needs.

I am committed to a quality public school education for our children and the continued improvement of Merrick’s academic and co-curricular programs. With the impending reductions in State Aid and new state cap on budget increases, we must show restraint while paying attention to what all of our children need to succeed.

Lastly, with the new CCLS and APPR I am extremely concerned with the amount of time dedicated to preparing students for state tests.  I believe this has a negative impact on our children both emotionally and educationally. We need to reach our legislators, and I believe as a board we need to discuss these concerns and come up with a unified plan of action.