Get To Know Briarcliff School Board Member Satran

BRIARCLIFF MANOR, N.Y. – Jonathan Satran knows exactly what it is like to be a concerned parent pleading to the Briarcliff Manor school board.

Satran knows because for more than two years he attended board meetings regularly and spoke up about dozens of concerns he had with the Briarcliff Manor Union Free School District. A parent of three children in Briarcliff Manor, Satran, 38, is the latest member of the Board of Education after he was appointed last week to replace former member Rosella Ranno, who resigned in June. While his term expires in May 2013 at the end of the upcoming school year, Satran is hoping to make a difference for parents and community members.

“I’ve been open at those meetings and in front of the microphone questioning this process, and I know what that’s like,” Satran said Thursday. “I really do think that the strength of our school district is important not only for the education of our children but the value of our homes and our community.”

Satran said he needs to learn more about the board’s process first, but he already has ideas of some major issues he would like to address.

“I think we need to look into managing through the declining enrollment,” Satran said. “I think there are things we need to look at to make sure we are offering the best opportunities for our children.”

Satran pointed to the recently passed $10 million school bond and the new playground at Todd Elementary School as examples of community members' strengthening the district.

“When we work together as a community, there are so many great minds and ideas that can do things that are hard for five school board members and a few officials to handle,” he said. “We need to look at our efficiency because that’s very important. Are there ways that we can be more efficient?”

Satran, a financial analyst for Credit-Suisse, said he plans to examine the district’s budget carefully this year, examine the changeover from teacher aides to teacher assistants (a move he spoke out against earlier this year) and help make the board’s process more open to the people in the community. Those looking to contact Satran may e-mail him at jsatran@briarcliffschools.org.

“I’m happy to meet someone for a cup of coffee, and I want to here concerns or even complaints people might have,” Satran said. “I think that’s the way we improve, is through communication and being open with the public.”

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