Meet Jane Anderson, Board of Education Candidate
The Rye City School District Board of Education election race, along with the vote on the $113 million 2025-2026 school budget (a 2.45% increase from the 2024-25 budget of $110,556,311), will be next Tuesday, May 20, 2025. Voting will take place in the Rye Middle School gymnasium between 6:00am – 9:00pm.
The two candidates will be Jane Anderson (incumbent) and Jenn Boyle (incumbent), running unopposed for the two open spots.
MyRye.com will be running question and answer interviews with each of the two. Although the race is uncontested, we wanted to give our readers an opportunity to hear from each candidate as they will represent two of the elected seven-person Board of Education.
Today we introduce you (again) to Jane Anderson.
Your Name: Jane Anderson
MyRye.com: Why are you running for re-election to the school board?
Anderson: Over the past six years, the Rye City School District has seen significant changes in instructional programs and student experiences. I have had the wonderful opportunity to support these changes in my role as a trustee, and I am excited about the District’s continued growth with Dr. Tricia Murray as our new Superintendent. I look forward to supporting Dr. Murray and the administrative team in their work.
Do you plan to support the upcoming school budget vote on Tuesday, May 20th?
Anderson: Yes
What are three or four features of the current budget that make it worthy of voter support?
Anderson: This year’s budget is tax cap-compliant while expanding learning experiences for our students, continuing to support our teacher and staff’s professional learning and upholding the Board’s commitment to maintaining and upgrading our facilities while providing students with a safe, secure learning environment.
- The budget adds a Director of School Counseling and Student Wellness administrative position which will oversee the District’s 12 school counselors. Additionally the Director will work to further design and implement the District’s work in creating a strong social-emotional school environment that will allow all students to succeed at high levels.
- In the budget there is money for 2 additional teachers to be hired to support the implementation of the International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Programme at Rye High School this fall. The IB Programme is an internationally recognized, rigorous course of study that will give our 11th and 12th grade students additional choice in their academic pursuits.
- The Board has made a long-term commitment to the community to upgrade and maintain our facilities and this budget continues that work. The budget has money earmarked for upgrades to our security systems, the installation of a new sound system at the high school PAC, and a badly needed roof replacement for the cafeteria at Osborn. Additionally, with the new additions being built at Midland and Osborn, an additional custodian will be hired to help maintain the new 12,000 square feet of instructional space.
What district costs are the hardest to control?
Anderson: Utility costs and unfunded NY State mandates – i,e., pension costs, are two great examples of costs that are difficult to control as they fall outside of the District and Board’s locus of control. The administration and the Board do engage in frequent discussions with our legislators at all levels (federal, state, and county) about the impacts the decisions they make have or could have on our school system. But in the end many of the New York State operational and legislative decisions that impact our students and the District are directives we must follow regardless of fiscal ramifications.
What are the three biggest opportunities / challenges facing Rye schools over the next 3-5 years?
Anderson: Over the last eight years, the District has transformed the professional learning opportunities for our teachers and in turn changed the instructional program for all students. Through the use of data, both quantitative and qualitative, the District is in a position to be able to reflect on our current programs and student experiences and determine where refinements are needed to further strengthen both at all schools.
How have these evolved over your tenure?
Anderson: The District’s use of data and consistent curriculum at the three elementary schools has been implemented over the last six years and the data is showing great outcomes for all students.
What are the three biggest areas for cost containment with the Rye schools over the next 3-5 years?
Anderson: Through reflection and reevaluation of programs there is an opportunity for cost containment. Efforts are made every year to examine costs and make reductions that will not impact the student experience. A great example of this exists in this year’s proposed budget. The District has two retirements in the Physical Education Department at the High School this year. After careful consideration, we found that we only need to hire one new teacher, resulting in significant salary cost savings while still maintaining quality instruction and small class sizes and sections.
How have these evolved over your tenure?
Anderson: The budget is a statement of the administration’s and Board’s priorities, as outlined in the Rye Commitment and every year the District undertakes efforts to minimize the fiscal impact to the taxpayers while ensuring a strong educational program for students.
How do you handle situations when someone strongly disagrees with you
Anderson: When talking with people, regardless of viewpoints, I listen to understand. When you listen for understanding, you are better able to connect with people and you can often find common ground leading to a shared understanding of issues which leads to better solutions and decision-making.
What do you consider your greatest failure, and what did you learn from it?
Anderson: Like everyone, I experience failures both big and small all the time. I know that failures are a part of success because without failing we do not learn how to persevere and without perseverance success is never possible.
How many years have you lived in Rye?
Anderson: 12
Where do you live in Rye?
Anderson: Claremont Ave – Rye Gardens
What is your favorite Rye tradition?
Anderson: Rye is a town steeped in tradition – Little League Parade, Halloween Window Painting, Rye Nature Center’s Old Fashioned Winter, Novel Night, and the elementary school fairs, but my favorite tradition is The Game! The Game isn’t just about football – it is a time when the entire town comes together with great pride in our schools and in our kids!
Thanks Jane!
More info:
Jane Anderson has lived in Rye for twelve years and has children at Rye Middle and Rye High School. She has served on the Board of Education since 2019, as President for the past two years, and as Vice President for two years previously. During her time on the Board, she has been the Chair of the Policy Committee and served on all Board committees. She has also served on the District’s Curriculum Council, the Math Curriculum Review Committee, Heard in Rye, and is currently the Board’s Liaison to RyeACT. At Milton School, she was Parent Organization Co-President, Treasurer, Fair Chair, and Auction Chair. At Christ’s Church Nursery School, she was Co-President, Auction Chair, and served on the Director Search Committee. She was Co-Chair of the Friends of Rye City School District for two years. She worked as Human Resources Director in the Greenwich, Stamford, and Wilton, CT, public schools, and as a Staff Development Teacher in Stamford. She began her career as a 5th-grade teacher in the Montgomery County, MD, public schools. Jane has a BS from Villanova University, a Master of Education from the University of Pennsylvania, and an Administration Certification from Johns Hopkins University.
