Sara Jones for North Shore Schools

Occupation: For 19 years, I have been the owner and CEO of a successful, national catalog-based company now serving 100,000 customers.  I have consistently increased sales and market-share through strong financial and strategic planning, pro-active budgeting, sophisticated data-analysis, complex supply chain management, and creative problem-solving.  Previously, I worked as a director of fundraising for the public-private partnership Citymeals-on-Wheels raising several million dollars in donations annually and gaining an understanding of the role of private fundraising for public institutions.

Qualifications: I am the current President of North Shore’s Board of Education; I previously served two years as Vice-President and have greatly enjoyed serving our community as a trustee for the past six years. I’ve worked hard during my tenure to preserve the long-term financial well-being of our schools. I’ve supported a rich, well-rounded curriculum for all our students where meaningful learning is not crowded out by outside pressures.  I’ve focused on the well-being of our students through the wellness and safety committees and the health of our infrastructure on the construction steering committee.

During this time, I’ve also been able to extend my involvement in the community by co-founding the volunteer-run, nonprofit Sea Cliff MAKEshop which provides coding, science and engineering and other hands-on science opportunities for district students. We also created and run the annual Beach Science program and the Spooky Pumpkin Walk for the community. I worked to organize the Coalition to Save Hempstead Harbor’s annual Scudder’s Pond cleanup. Previously, I served as Treasurer for the Friends of the Sea Cliff Library for which I still raise funds annually; I have also been deeply involved in our schools through the Sea Cliff PCA where I was former webmaster, created the book swap and chaired the nutrition committee; I also served on North Shore’s district-wide nutrition committee. 

I graduated in 1989 from Princeton University, A.B. cum laude.

Personal:  I am a 19 year resident of Sea Cliff. I have a son at North Shore Middle School and a daughter at North Shore High and am a former Sea Cliff School and Roslyn Trinity Co-op parent.  Both kids have taken advantage of the terrific opportunities our district has in the arts and athletics, and it has been a great opportunity to meet so many of our neighbors in our auditoriums and on our playing fields. We are the proud companions of our rescue dog, two cats, and a frog raised from tadpole-hood in our daughter’s kindergarten class.

Statement:  As your neighbor, a parent, and a tax payer, I see our schools as being at a critical juncture. Our district provides a strong, well-rounded education for all of our students, but we also face significant financial challenges while we work to ready our schools and students for the future. The 19 years I have spent running and building a successful business as well as my experience on our Board are critical assets today.  I want to be able to use my demonstrated abilities in long-term planning, data analysis, budgeting and creative problem solving, as well as my commitment to all our students and our community, to continue to move our educational program forward during these challenging times.  We are all the beneficiaries of our excellent school system, a tremendous gift that enriches our entire community. For the last six years, it has been my privilege to serve on the Board of Education, and I hope to continue my efforts to provide the current and future students of the North Shore community with rich and meaningful educational experiences.