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Courage to Make Hard Choices

I am writing in support of my wife, Dr. Erica Gelven, for Clinton’s Board of Education. Erica is a professor of psychology with a specialization in child development, teaching at two different institutes of higher education. Serving on the Board of Education since 2016, Erica worked hard to ensure all children in town receive the best possible education. She understands that the capacity of Clinton to succeed and grow reflects directly on the ability of our children to succeed and grow in the world in which they find themselves.

While the best education is not obtained cheaply, Erica is also aware of the responsibilities of working within a budget. Every decision made has real-world consequences for the students, faculty, staff, and taxpayers of Clinton. She is aware these groups are intermingled to the point where many faculty and staff who live in town have children who are students. Each increase or cut in salaries or services affects each of these groups, some more than others.

Erica takes her obligation to do the right thing seriously, and has extensive involvement while on the Board of Education. As a member of several sub-committees, she has been involved in reformulating the district’s homework policy and is working to ensure that all students receive nutritious meals in a cost-effective manner.

During her time on the board, Erica has had the courage to make hard choices. She supported the recent cuts to our school staff as an unfortunate necessity due to our declining enrollment. While Erica has only been on the Board of Education for a relatively short time, her impact has been quite extensive.

A vote for Erica Gelven is a vote for quality, cost-effective education that will continue to make Clinton the best community for all of its citizens.

Marc Gelven

Clinton