Kelli Burnham: Why You Should Elect Me to the Sachem School Board

(Editor's note: Sachem BOE candidates are free to submit letters to the editor to ryan@patch.com explaining why voters should elect them to the board)

My name is Kelli Burnham and I am a candidate for the Sachem School Board.  I strongly believe that the foundation of our community is the education of our children. As a board member, I will ensure that all of our students are given equal and ample opportunities to become the best versions of themselves, while being mindful of our taxpayers.

In 1987, my parents chose to move out to Sachem because of the wonderful reputation it has.  I graduated from Sachem North High School in 2000.  My well-rounded Sachem education provided me with the skill set I needed to achieve my career goals.  I attended St. Joseph’s College and graduated with my teaching degree. I currently hold NYS certifications in both general and special education.  To continue my education, I went on to obtain my Master’s Degree from Long Island University, in Literacy Education.

My husband and I chose to raise our family here in the Sachem Community for the same reasons my parents had back in 1987. WE ARE SACHEM. We are a large community and I genuinely want what is best for ALL of our children. I personally want ALL the children of the Sachem Community to be given the same wonderful opportunities I had when I was a student.

I hope to contribute a fresh perspective to the board; that of an educator who understands all too well the conflict between raising standards, demanding more from our students and teachers while maintaining economic discipline for our taxpayers.  As a candidate for the Sachem School Board, I feel it is my responsibility to create a community-wide, shared vision in moving the district forward.  Together we can achieve anything.