To the Editor:

While I am a member of the Princeton Board of Education, I submit this letter as a private citizen and am not speaking on behalf of the Board of Education.

I am writing to support Dafna Kendal’s election to the Board of Education. Dafna and I met in the fall of 2015, when we were both running for a first term on the Board of Education. From the initial forum where we shared the stage, I was inspired by her passion to make the district a better place for every single student. Throughout our term, Dafna’s ability to transfer this passion into leadership that had a tangible, positive effect on the experience of all students in the public schools was masterful.

Dafna’s work on the Board of Education spanned many committees and was vast in breadth and depth. She and I served together on the Student Achievement, Equity and Policy Committees (on which I was especially grateful for her legal background and her comprehensive understanding of state and federal law); she served on the Finance Committee and she chaired the Facilities Committee for two years. Dafna worked tirelessly and continuously to do what is right for students — always asking her fellow Board members, “Is this in the best interest of our students?”

Dafna shows up and gets things done. Her steadfast commitment to her work as a Board member had an impact on every initiative of the Board from 2016-2018, from the later PHS start time to the successful facilities referendum; from fostering a productive working relationship with staff to improving communication between the Board and the community; from consistently advocating for those students who are most vulnerable to being there to support all students and staff at special events. The heartfelt sendoff Dafna received from community members at the Board of Education meeting on December 18, 2018 was inspiring. The thanks Dafna received at the Johnson Park amphitheater dedication on September 17, 2019 was sincere. There is no doubt that Dafna has already made a difference in our schools and in our community, but she is running for another term because there is more work to be done.

Please join me in supporting Dafna Kendal’s candidacy for the Board of Education on November 5.

Betsy Kalber Baglio
Lafayette Road