The stellar reputation of the Great Neck Public Schools is what first drew my family, and many others to live here.

In 2021, our schools made headlines when Niche ranked us as the second-best district in New York State and sixth in the country. We can be proud of that! However, our excellent public schools aren’t just the pride of Great Neck, they are also the heart of our community.

Ours is a diverse community. What unites us, and makes us special, is the very thing that brought us here in the first place: a common commitment to educate and nurture our children in order to unlock the brightest future for them. The prioritization of children’s well-being is a mission of our community.

I have dedicated my life to that mission. First, as an active parent, whose children grew up in our schools. The education that my children received here has helped them achieve happy, successful lives. And, then as I served for 28 years as a teacher at Lakeville School encouraging and supporting hundreds of children to realize the beginnings of their own goals and dreams.

It was always my feeling that each child that I taught was one of my own. I attempted to inspire and motivate each to be the best and happiest they could be. Since my retirement, I continue to follow my mission as a member of the Board of Education.

During a devastating pandemic, I worked with my colleagues on the Board to ensure that our children continued to receive access to a quality education.

While many of New York’s top schools shuttered their doors and went fully remote, our Great Neck Public Schools continued to deliver world class learning, while ensuring the safest possible conditions to protect our students’ health.

Throughout my term on the board, I have been guided by the insights that come from my experiences as both a Great Neck parent and a Great Neck teacher.

These experiences have helped me to understand the special families of this community, my community, in a unique manner. I am first and foremost an advocate for children. On their behalf, I am seeking another term on the Board of Education to continue championing public education.

All parents who live in Great Neck are entitled to a quality education for their children. In order for our students to continue to excel in school and beyond, we must preserve the creative, innovative and visionary programs we offer and continue to hire and retain the best teachers.

Whatever our diverse beliefs, our shared faith in our children overrides them all and binds us together. The job of our schools is to kindle our students’ imagination and grow their knowledge.

We must pursue alliances among all stakeholders in our District, as well as work toward a consensus model of decision making. Transparency must always be our touchstone.

Former Superintendent Dr. William Shine used to say, “Administration Under Glass”, referring to the ideal of transparency. I have kept that quote near to me in all that I have done in my work in Great Neck.

I urge you all to join me to continue to protect quality public education for all our children.

Donna Peirez

Great Neck