Nan Berke and Shilpa Spencer Endorse Erica German for Scarsdale School Board

These letters were submitted by Nan Berke and Shilpa Spencer

(Letter from Nan Berke)

As a former Edgewood and SHS PTA President, and a former member of the SBNC and co-chair of the SBNC Administrative Committee, I know that the School Board Nominating Committee can work well. It has helped make Scarsdale schools what they are. I have also seen times when the SBNC gets it wrong. This tends to happen when personal agendas dominate the group.

While I know none of the people running for school board this year, or what happened in this year’s SBNC, two things pop out:

Mr. Zeigler has not lived in Scarsdale long enough or volunteered with the schools in any meaningful way. If you want to devise ways to change and improve something, you first need a solid understanding of how it works.

Education is Scarsdale’s industry; I think it is vital to pick someone who has shown a commitment to thoughtfully learning about how our schools operate. Mr. Zeigler is not yet that person.

Ms. German, on the other hand, has ample experience with the schools. Why was she not chosen as a school board candidate? Those outside of the SNNC Committee do not know, but it is baffling.

I will be voting for Erica German. I respect her experienced and very thoughtful approach to running for school board. I applaud her for running outside the system. Fortunately, the SBNC is structured to allow for the possibility of outside candidates, making it more democratic. Non-SBNC candidates have run and won before, and served this community well. I think Erica will do the same.

Nan Berke
258 Nelson Road

(Letter from Shilpa Spencer)

Dear Scarsdale 10583,
I am writing this letter (in my individual capacity) to wholeheartedly voice my support of Erica German for the Scarsdale Board of Education. As a long-time Scarsdale resident and fellow PTA volunteer, I have had the privilege of working alongside Erica for years, and I can say with confidence that she would be an extraordinary addition to our Board.

Erica is also one of those rare people who combines genuine warmth with exceptional capability. She cares deeply about every member of this community - not just as a leader, but as a person. She listens carefully, asks the right questions, and always keeps the needs of students and families at the center of her work. In every volunteer role I have seen her take on, she brings the same tireless energy and thoughtfulness.

What strikes me most about Erica is her ability to hold space for different perspectives with civility and respect, which is a quality that feels especially important right now. She doesn't lead by imposing her own agenda; she leads by listening first, building consensus through respectful dialog, and focusing on what is best for our children. Erica will listen to all voices, will represent all of us, and will work diligently to collaborate across disparate ideas and agendas. This, above all else, feels so critically important in our elected leadership and is my strongest reason for endorsing her.

But I have many additional reasons why I know she is the right person to join the BOE right now. Erica is exceptionally and uniquely qualified for this role because of her 17 years of volunteerism on behalf of Scarsdale families and our children. She has rolled up her sleeves and done the real work for many, many years. She understands the critical importance of the work she does, she understands the great impact that Board leadership has on our community, and she has very firsthand knowledge of the breadth and depth of diversity that makes Scarsdale the uniquely beautiful community that it is. Erica has lived in Scarsdale for almost 2 decades, she has raised many children through our school system, and has put in the time and work to develop a strong understanding of the complexities and beauty in our community. The PTC role alone requires her to collaborate across all seven schools, working with parents, teachers, and administrators on issues ranging from student wellness to special education to technology, but she preceded that with years of service in a multitude of other roles within Scarsdale. And even if more compelling than her very extensive experience, is very strong passion for our shared community, and unrelenting desire to serve it.

Her professional background as a practicing psychiatrist gives her a perspective that is uniquely valuable on a school board today. She understands in a deep way that student well-being and academic excellence are inseparable, and she brings both clinical insight and human compassion to that understanding. As a mother of four children who have attended Scarsdale schools, she also lives these issues personally.

Erica German is the correct choice for one of the Board of Education seats, and we would be making a mistake as a community if we didn’t elect her. Please join me in voting for her.

Shilpa Spencer