The Amherst Bee - www.AmherstBee.com MEET THE CANDIDATES
Ramona Popowich Board Member
Williamsville District

Popowich

Serving in leadership positions as president and vice president during my six-year tenure on the board, my goal has been to keep "ahead of the curve" by working in partnership with the superintendent, staff and parents. I hope to continue to advocate for our children and school district.

I will continue to insist on fiscal integrity during uncertain financial times. Since 1983, state aid to our district has declined from 38 percent to 20 percent while unfunded mandates continue to increase district expenditures. These expenditures continue to divert money from our top priority of student learning. In response, I wrote a resolution prohibiting any new state unfunded mandates. It received overwhelming support at the State School Boards Association convention and is now part of its lobbying agenda.

I organized a joint board meeting with Sweet Home, where the best practices of our school districts were shared. As the board's legislative liaison, I organized our legislative forums and lobbied our state legislators. I have been president of the PTSA Council, chairperson of the Williamsville Coalition for Public Education, president of Dodge Elementary PTA, and an active PTSA member at Heim, Casey and North High schools. I am a recipient of the PTA American Education Service to Youth Award, and I am a PTA honorary life member.

I have a Bachelor of Arts in history and a master's in education from the University at Albany. I am presently a D'Youville College supervisor of student teachers. My leadership experience as president of the board, my knowledge of the issues, my training as an educator and my advocacy skills will help ensure that the next generation of students will receive the same excellent education as my three children, who graduated from North High School.