Mester, Katchis, Receive Endorsements From New Castle Education Watchdog Group

A local fiscal watchdog group called New Castle Citizens For Responsible Education, which has recently raised concern about the long-term upswing in the Chappaqua school budget, has announced that it is endorsing current Board of Education President Jeffrey Mester, as well as candidate Randall Katchis for this year's election. There are two seats up for election, one of which is Mester's. Below is the group's announcement:

Dear Editor,

On behalf of the New Castle–Citizens for Responsible Education we are writing to advise you and the voting public of the Chappaqua School District of our support for the following candidates for the two positions being contested in the May 18 election.

We support for re-election:

Jeff Mester: An experienced School Board member, most recently as board president, Jeff has helped usher in more prudent, responsible budgeting:  the zero-tax-increase budget in 2009 – 2010 and now the proposed 1.9% budget increase in 2010 – 2011. He has three children in the district, is the Board's representative to the Horace Greeley Scholarship Fund, and understands the fiscal and educational decisions facing our schools. In this choice we've given priority to continuity for the challenging years ahead.

We support for the open seat:

Randy Katchis: Randy is a 16-year resident of Chappaqua, had real estate and other business interests in town, and has four children (two have graduated from Greeley and two are in elementary and middle school). We believe his extensive financial and real estate background, as well as his involvement with the Chappaqua School Foundation, make him very well suited to the issues facing the district. Improving communication with all residents is one of his top priorities.

We urge all Chappaqua School District voters to vote on May 18th at Horace Greeley High School, between 7 am to 9 pm.

Sincerely,

Richard Laster          Ali Klein           Judy McGrath

James McCauley       Elinor Griffith   Steve Walsh

* Visit our website to see the proposed 2010-11 school budget and other useful documents: http://newcastle-citizensforresponsibleeducation.org/