Katonah Lewisboro Election Coverage: Q & A With Mindy Yanish

On May 15, Katonah-Lewisboro voters will vote on a , a and

Below is a brief bio of Rich Delin and his replies to a set of questions sent to all of the K-L candidates.

Yanish has lived in the district for eight years and has had a business here for 23 years. She is the owner and proprietor of , a contemporary arts gallery and shop in Katonah. She has a master's of fine arts degree in visual arts and has conducted independent studies in whole-brain learning, human development and meditation. She has additional certifications in hospice care (a full list of community activities can be found on her website, www.mindyyanish.com). Yanish has two daughters, one in the middle school and one at John Jay High School.

You can find profiles of the three other school board candidates on Patch: , and . On Monday, May 14, we'll post our voter's guide summarizing the issues including when and where to vote.

Patch: What prompted you to run for the Katonah Lewisboro Board of Education. 

Yanish: I decided to run for school board because I love this community and I want to contribute to it in every way possible. I care deeply about education and the future of our children and our world.  I owe everything to this community, and have everything invested here as a parent, a homeowner, and a local business owner. I also owe a great deal to public education. I would not be successful were it not for the gifted educators in my life. I believe education and human development is a lifelong endeavor inspired by skilled creative teachers and nurtured by a caring, healthy community. The Katonah Lewisboro schools are amazingly rich learning environments and are providing an excellent education for my children but I believe that kindness, love and respect need to be part of the dialogue in our classrooms, in our school board, and in our culture as a whole.

Patch: What strengths will you bring to the board? 

Yanish: I am a truly creative thinker and have gained experience problem solving as a long-term business owner. I have successfully navigated my businesses through a serious recession as well as the more recent economic downturn. I am also a gifted, fair-minded listener and can respectfully bring people with differing views together.  

Patch: What issues facing the district do you feel most strongly about?

Yanish: I believe that what our children are thirsting for cannot be better taught by expensive technology. Striving to be the 'best' must be born from an individual's innate strengths and passions, not from the unnatural, superficial and short-lived learning to the test. I also believe our complex budgetary considerations must be rooted in compassion and the health of our entire community. Our children must learn that having their elder neighbors forced to leave their homes because they cannot afford their taxes is too high a price to pay for new smart boards and laptops. Our elders and longstanding community members should stay and enrich the rest of us. Understanding that is part of an enduring, meaningful education that creates good, caring contributing citizens.

Patch: Describe the quality of education you think students are getting in the district. Are there measures you would take to improve upon it?

Yanish: The quality of education in the district is excellent. I believe that highly skilled, gifted teachers should be allowed to design more of the classes they teach. 'Teacher-designed' classes allow them to be creative in topics they are knowledgeable and passionate about which empowers them and helps them feel respected and appreciated. That translates into better teaching and a more exciting learning environment for the students.

Patch: All three collective bargaining agreements are up next year. Describe how you see the current state of labor relations in the district.

Yanish: There are many changes going on that affect all staff members in all bargaining units. Therefore, tension is increased whether contracts are being negotiated or not. Creating new contracts is hard work because they have to carefully negotiate a set of rules that the school community must live by. The new contracts must reflect the NYS requirements, honor the staff, and respond to the community. I see the negotiations as an opportunity to do all this and affirm our respect for both staff and the needs of the community.  creativity and respect while negotiating will be of utmost importance to accomplish both.

Patch: What strategies would you be willing to promote for increased open and honest communication and transparency between the board, the collective bargaining groups and the community?

Yanish:  I believe the community, board and staff need to interface in substantive ways. One idea is to have evenings when the stakeholders interact about a specific topic. It would create a deeper understanding about varying points of view which always leads to a greater and deeper respect for one another. There is a great deal of talent and expertise on the board and among teachers and administrators.  Sharing ideas leads to transparency and understanding. Understanding leads to deeper connections. Deeper connections lead to a greater ability to solve the pressing issues of our time.

Patch: Is there anything you'd like to add about your candidacy? 

Yanish: I am an ordained interfaith minister. Although I have no organized congregation I use my training in business and community organizing. I have also studied whole-brain learning, mediation, and I am certified in hospice. I strive to live in service to the greater good.