Writer supports Banks-Davis for school board

To the Editor:

I am writing in support of Dr. Pamela Banks-Davis for Merrick School District Board of Education trustee.

Pam is a pediatrician who has had her office in Merrick for 14 years. Additionally, she has been very involved in the Merrick schools for nearly 17 years, since the oldest of her four children entered Levy-Lakeside Elementary School.

At Levy-Lakeside, Pam was very involved in the PTA, holding positions on the PTA Executive Board and a variety of committees, including eight years on the Site-Based Decision Making Team. The Site-Based Team comprises principals, teachers and parents who exchange ideas and information to improve educational opportunities and experiences for all students, and implement programs, staff development, school practices and curriculum. While on that committee, Pam was instrumental in pushing departmentalization for the sixth grade, which allows sixth-graders to change classrooms during the day to prepare them for middle school.

Pam has been involved in the MAMS PTA, sitting on the Executive Board and Site-Based Decision Making Team. She was also involved at Calhoun High School, twice holding the position of PTA president and sitting as a parent representative on the Site-Based Decision Making Team.

Pam has been involved in the Bellmore-Merrick Central High School District Council of PTAs, holding the positions of president, secretary and committee representative. Additionally, she was a founding member of the Meadowbrook Alternative Program, which has lowered the Bellmore-Merrick district’s dropout rate.

Pam is involved in a variety of aspects in the local community. She’s a homeowner, parent, and doctor working with local children and their parents. I believe she has the knowledge and experience to successfully represent the community on the Merrick Board of Education, and I wholeheartedly support her candidacy.

Peri Hoffer-Hinden

Merrick