Why I'm seeking another SAD 44 term

To the Editor:

It has been an honor and a privilege for me to serve as a school board director for SAD 44 for the past four years. We have recently faced some very difficult budget decisions due to a large decrease in state funding. As chairperson for the Education Committee I’ve been committed to keeping the importance of our students’ education in the forefront as cuts have been considered. Also for the past two years I’ve represented SAD 44 on the Region 9 School Board serving on the finance committee. I feel I’ve been very helpful in keeping the Region 9 budget fiscally responsible to the sending towns while still preserving an excellent vocational program. I also was a representative on the SAD 44 Regional Planning Commission for Consolidation throughout its deliberations.

It has been a privilege and a true joy for me to participate as a volunteer in the arts education of our students. The Senior College Players under my direction presented the play “The Trial of Goldilocks” with the fifth graders of all three elementary schools last November. I have also had an active role in helping with the musical “Guys and Dolls” at Telstar this year. As a Rotarian I’ve been part of the joint Telstar Student of the Month and Top Ten programs as well as assisting Betsy Raymond in coordinating community involvement in Read Across America Day at Crescent Park Elementary. Because of these efforts in working with the schools to promote literacy education, the Bethel Rotary Club has been given a literacy award by Rotary International District 7780. These experiences have given me the opportunity to see firsthand the excellent education we must support and keep for our students.

My knowledge of education is based on 28 years of teaching experience, curriculum development and administration in Florida and Virginia schools. My field was music education. I spent many years protecting the arts in education while also supporting a strong academic program.

I would appreciate your vote on June 8 so that I may continue to work with the community, teachers, parents and students for excellence in education in SAD 44 and Region 9.

Lynn Arizzi

Bethel