Chris Valin
Current Term of Office: July 1, 2024–June 30, 2027
Family: My husband Agustin and I moved from Spain in 2006 and are parents to two children who have progressed through GCSD and are members of the Class of 2023 and 2025.
Occupation: I previously worked as EMEA Revenue Manager at a financial information company, where I intentionally created a diverse team and have the experience of bridging differences to work toward a common goal.
Community Involvement: Prior to beginning my Board service in 2021, I attended BOE meetings for 10 years, serving on many committees so I could thoroughly comprehend and contribute to solving the issues facing the district. I also served as a PTA board member and as a core member of the parent group working toward equitable funding for Greenburgh schools in partnership with our local legislators. I was a parent representative for International Baccalaureate re-certifications at two of our elementary schools. I am also Committee Chair of the Scouts BSA Hartsdale Troop, volunteer with Westchester Parks Foundation and a member of Sacred Heart parish.
Why did you run? I have advocated for improved outcomes for ALL students throughout my years of service to our district. I want to help our students become confident, capable, and caring citizens who can communicate effectively. I want to solidify our educational programs so all students can achieve their best – however that is defined for each child. I have lived in Greenburgh long enough to be familiar with the community but with the added perspective from having lived in the Midwest and Europe previously. I believe in discussing issues frankly, questioning sincerely and collaborating on practical solutions that move us forward.
What are the top three challenges facing our school district?
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Ensure a solid educational footing while providing resources to address the social-emotional welfare of our children
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Provide a safe learning environment for students and staff
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Fiscally responsible achievement of the first two points
How would you like to address those challenges? We need to work with our teachers to develop a robust response to the obstacles created by the current learning environment. We need to continue creating a phased plan to upgrade the safety of our facilities and, when possible, enhance the design to facilitate collaboration and hands-on experiential learning. I will be thorough in tackling issues by listening to the experts and collaborating on solutions to move forward in helping our students do their best.
