Meet the School Board Candidate: Louis Schwartz

Residents of the Dobbs Ferry School District will take to the polls on Tuesday, May 21 to vote for three school board members, as well as the 2013-14 budget. 

There are four candidates vying for three spots on the board. Jeff O’Donnell, Meg Lauer and Mike Goldman are running to keep their seats, while Louis Schwartz will challenge the incumbents for a three-year term on the school board. 

Voting will take place from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. in the Dobbs Ferry High School Gym, 505 Broadway.

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Read below to learn more about your school board candidates.

Name:  Louis Schwartz

Age: 50

How long have you lived in the village? 12 years

Family:  My wife, Carolyn Schwartz, and our two boys, Daniel (10) and Adam (8), both attending Springhurst this year.

What do you do for a living? I am the chief financial officer (CFO) at the International AIDS Vaccine Initiative, an international non-profit. I have been a CFO in the non-profit sector for more than 10 years.  I have more than 25 years of experience working in finance. 

What is your education background? Georgetown University, BS in Business Administration/Finance – 1985

Are you involved in any other community-oriented roles? 

• Dobbs Ferry School District Finance Advisory Committee – 2009 to present
• Village of Dobbs Ferry non-partisan Nominating Committee – 2009 to present
• Temple Beth Shalom Board of Trustees; past Treasurer – 2005 to present
• Dobbs Ferry Schools Foundation (volunteer) – 2011 to present
• Dobbs Ferry Sports and Recreation Foundation; Treasurer – 2011 to present
• Youth baseball and soccer coach – 2008 to present

How you ever ran or served on the school board before?  No

School board member compensation: None

Why do you want to join the school board?

Like so many other Village residents, the quality of the school district was one of the deciding factors when my wife Carolyn and I moved to Dobbs Ferry a dozen years ago.  With our boys now in 3rd and 5th, I have a long-term vested interest in the schools.  We are a well-run district with high-quality administrators and educators, but we do, and will continue to, face obstacles, especially fiscal ones.  I have the financial experience and community passion to help the district navigate as we move forward.  That’s why I’m running for school board. 

Why are you an ideal candidate for school board? What do you think you will bring to the school board?

As the CFO of a non-profit and a member of the Dobbs Ferry School District Finance Advisory Committee since 2009, I understand the challenges of balancing budgets in difficult economic times—challenges made all the more difficult by unfunded mandates and the tax cap. 

As a parent, I expect a public education that provides all students with an academic bedrock that will serve throughout their lives, an education that is forward-thinking in both its content and approach.  An effective school board member must be able to listen all of the facts and then make decisions in the best interest of both the children and Village – this is a difficult balancing act that I am up to handling. 

What are the biggest issues facing the school district? How would you address these issues?

Without a doubt, the biggest issue is our long-term financial strength.   We have to deal with the tax cap, unfunded mandates and many fixed costs such as pension and healthcare, and we are a small district. I have the financial experience and knowledge of the district’s finances to help the navigate these challenges and make the best decisions. 

How would you describe the work of the current school board in recent years? Is there anything they’ve done that you strong agree with? Is there anything they’ve done that you disagree with?

I think that we’ve had quality leadership and guidance from our school board.  The members are dedicated but in general do not have the financial expertise that I can bring to the board.

What is your opinion on the district’s proposed 2013-14 budget?

I am in favor of the budget and hope to see it pass easily.  

What is the most important thing to you when it comes to the district’s budget?

The long-term financial viability of the district given the challenges of the tax cap, unfunded mandates and size of the district.

What is your favorite thing about the school district?

The enthusiasm of the students and educators.  Whenever I visit Springhurst, the energy in the building is powerful.  Students want to learn.  Instilling a passion for education in our students is critical to their success.

Anything else you would like to add…

Yes, vote on Tuesday, May 21st .  It is a right and privilege that we should all exercise.