Blind Brook School Board Candidate Jeff Diamond

"Schools are facing unprecedented financial challenges due to reductions in state education aid as well as declining revenues from the weak housing market and poor economy," said Blind Brook school board candidate Jeff Diamond. "I have devoted a lot of time studying the big picture issues that have contributed to the current environment."

Jeff Diamond has lived in Rye Brook for 21 years. Two of his children, Ken and Erika, have graduated from Blind Brook, and his youngest daughter Mari is a high school junior.

"Having sent my own children to Blind Brook schools, I want to make sure that we maintain the highest possible educational standards while  balancing that goal with the needs of the wider community," said Diamond who has not served in public office before.

Since last fall, Diamond–a self-employed investment manager– has served eventfully on the Citizens Budget Advisory Committee. His committee experience has prepared him for the "financial and educational challenges within the district."

If elected, Diamond said he would like to change the role of the committee.

"As a Board member, I would fight to empower the next CBAC with a broad charge to address all areas of the budget without restriction.  Community input, particularly as a result of many hours of committee work, should be very highly valued.  I am sorry to say that was not always the case in previous years.

Diamond also has a blog called which he uses as a platform for his views on school finances and to create a direct connection with community residents.

"With that perspective, I believe that my voice will be measurably different from that of the current board members," said Diamond.

Diamond thinks upcoming teacher contract negotiations are a paramount issues for the district. He said, "with salaries and benefits making up nearly 80 percent of the $40 million district budget, our top priority should be to negotiate a fair contract with the teachers union."

He said communication "with all residents of the district beyond just the school community" needs improvement as well as more "more transparency" in the school board's work.

Diamond also sees increased advocacy as an important task for the school board.

In a statement to Patch he wrote:

I think that the Board of Education has to become more activist in addressing the big picture issues that flow down from Albany.  We need to reach out to other school boards in other districts and work with the Westchester-Putnam School Board Association to create a credible voice that will be a counter-balance to special interests in Albany.  Under Gov. Cuomo, there is finally movement in Albany toward reform that could relieve local municipalities and school districts from costly unfunded mandates.  These mandates prevent us from using our tax dollars where they are most needed.  As a Board of Education member I would pursue big picture reform that would give us the tools that we need to take more control of our own budgets.