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Schools

School Board Candidate Rachel Relkin

Patch profiles candidates for New Rochelle School Board Trustee. There are two five-year terms up for grabs May 17.

Name: Rachel Relkin.

Age: 40.

Occupation: Currently takes care of her children at home after nine years of work as an attorney in the public sector.

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Family: Husband and two children who attend Barnard Elementary School and George M. Davis Elementary School.

Education: B.A. from Ithaca College in 1992 and J.D. from New York Law School in 1996.
     
Relkin is a mother of two young children in New Rochelle public schools. “As a parent and property owner, I am committed to our community. I have been closely watching the budget debate. As a taxpayer I have become increasingly concerned,” said Relkin.

She and her family moved to New Rochelle from the Riverdale section of the Bronx in 2007. Since moving Relkin said she and her husband, Rich, made the decision that she would make the transition from litigator to stay-at-home mom.

“We feel a responsibility to our children to get involved,” says Rachel, who is a member of the Davis PTA, the Barnard PTA and the New Rochelle SEPTA (Special Education PTA). Relkin is also a parent member at district-wide CPSE/CSE meetings.

“Having two children in New Rochelle elementary schools, I have heard parents express frustration over the flow of information between the schools and parents,” said Relkin.

As a member of the Board of Education, she hopes to promote and create a more collaborative environment among parents, teachers and administrators. She wishes to use new technologies like social media sites like Twitter and Facebook to put more information out to the citizens of New Rochelle.

“People are craving information. We have to make it more accessible to people,” said Relkin.

She also would like to make information on the district's Web site easier to navigate and understand so parents could take full advantage of the programs and services provided by the school board.

“I have years of experience of applying a critical mind to complex problems. Experience has taught me that collaboration is the key to problem solving. I have a very collaborative style of problem solving—not an adversarial style,” said Relkin.

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“I don’t have an axe to grind with the school board,” she said. “I believe strongly in civil responsibility. It’s important for citizens to get involved in their community.

“I want to take this unique opportunity to help my community,” Relkin said.

EDITOR'S NOTE: There are six candidates for two five-year terms. The  candidates are Rachel Relkin, Naomi Brickel, Robert Cox, Peter O'Keeffe, Colin J. Thomas and Dr. Salvador A. Fernandez.

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