I am writing to urge others in joining me in voting for Ellen Whelan-Wuest in Cornwall, Ron Makleff in Middlebury, and Hilda Stone in Bridport for ACSD Board. After reading the interviews of all candidates in the Addison Independent, I believe these three individuals are the people who can and will rebuild the trust in our district.

As a Cornwall parent, I was elated when Ellen won the unanimous support of the board to replace Peter Conlon. She is already on the board, and I think that is where she belongs. Ellen has a track record of supporting local kids and families through her efforts to build a childcare center in Middlebury, filling an essential need for so many working families.

I am supporting Ron and Hilda because we need our board members to really look at our district as a whole. If we wish to remain a unified district, we need representatives from Middlebury and surrounding towns who care about our schools.

Ron is the father of a preschooler and a passionate educator who has taught middle and high school students all over the world. He will place an equitable concern for our most in-need students first. He has a high stake in ensuring that our elementary education standards are as high as possible. As a human rights activist, he has taught students in war zones and conflict areas. While our little Vermont is far from there, I believe his record of advocacy really matters.

Hilda was born and raised in our part of Vermont. She and her husband adopted a bi-racial daughter a few years ago, whom Hilda cared for at home until she began working outside the home again recently. I know she holds a deep commitment to inclusive education and support for diversity in our county. Her leading role in Bridport’s PTO is also emblematic of the kind of hard work she would bring to the board.

Ellen, Ron, and Hilda are the kinds of leaders our district needs!

Lauren Ringey

Cornwall