Dear Editor,
I am a retired 32-year veteran educator, with 12 years of experience in building and central office administration and 20 years in teaching. I believe these experiences and my long-term commitment to and involvement in our community will serve me well as a school board member. In this capacity I will focus on maintaining and enhancing the quality of education in the Owego Apalachin school district in a fiscally responsible manner.
I began my career in the fall of 1983 as a science teacher for the Owego Apalachin Central School District. I taught all levels of high school biology and middle school science until 2002. I have experience as a science department chair, mentor for new teachers, softball coach, science club and class advisor. I also did my administrative internship in the Owego Apalachin Central School district under central office and high school leadership. I hold a Bachelors of Science in Biology and Masters of Arts in Teaching from Binghamton University, and a Certificate of Advanced Studies in School District Administration from SUNY Cortland.
In August of 2004, I was appointed as a central office administrator for the Binghamton City School District as the Director of Personnel. Prior to that appointment, I was a building level administrator for Chenango Forks High School, BT-BOCES summer school principal for grades seven to 12 and summer enrichment principal for Owego Apalachin children grades kindergarten through eight.
As a member of the Owego Apalachin Central School Board of Education, I will take responsibility to build consensus among stakeholders. I am a good listener and capable of making decisions that can support group decision-making. I am excited to confront the tough challenges facing our district and work collegially to rise above them and help our students in our community succeed. The Board of Education has a responsibility to appropriately monitor the results of district policy and school programs implemented by administration. My talents and experience lend to these tasks.
My primary goal is to foster a positive relationship between all stakeholders to make a difference in the lives and the futures of Owego Apalachin children. As a resident, I have always had a vested interest in our district and have supported initiatives the have created positive learning environments. I enjoy attending school functions and meeting people.
My husband Walt and I have been Owego residents for 39 years. My husband is retired from Lockheed Martin after 40 years of service and is a 1972 Owego Free Academy graduate. Our daughters, Melissa, a former elementary teacher who is currently enrolled in a Doctorate Program in Chiropractic Medicine, and Stacy, an ICU nurse at Binghamton General, are also OFA graduates. I believe their success is due in part to the quality of education they received during their years in the Owego Apalachin Central District. I humbly ask for your support and your vote on May 17.
Sincerely,
Linda Gretz
Owego, N.Y.
