I would like to introduce myself. My name is Nancy Gorski and I am running for the D-17 Board of Education position which has recently opened. Unlike the democratic candidate, Dr. Berzon, I am not an educator. My only teaching experience, and one that I share with my husband, is teaching life skills to our two daughters. I have spent the last 25 years in the pharmaceutical industry. For over 20 years, I was responsible for the data collection and reporting of clinical data in support of regulatory submissions at Bristol-Myers Squibb. Most recently during the last five years, I have managed the development of multi-million dollar software applications in support of clinical research at Pfizer.

What I am is a realist. Contrary to the poll of public opinion, the pharmaceutical industry is not fat and happy. We strive to deliver innovative, safe, and efficacious treatments as cost effectively as practical. For my part, I manage the development of software in support of research with my primary goal of providing value add automation as cost effectively as practical. In our organization, we strive to search for efficiencies that will further reduce costs. I ask that I be able to bring this fiscal responsibility to the Board of Education.

The Board of Education has two primary customers, our children and our community. I recognize the importance of a quality education for our children and the value it brings to Killingworth. However, I also recognize that we must look for ways to educate our children as cost effectively as possible in order to bring value to the taxpayers. If honored with the opportunity to serve on the Board of Education, I will look for ways to meet the educational needs of our children and enhance their educational experiences, while also searching for efficiencies that will help us to provide this level of education at the lowest practical cost.

While I have only lived in Killingworth since 1999, our town faces the same challenges as towns across America do in rationalizing the cost of education. Reductions in federal and state subsidies for education are commonplace. This coming at a time when the federal government is demanding higher levels of education for our children is placing a fiscal burden on districts everywhere.

Additionally, while not as active as Dr. Berzon in the community, I have been searching for an opportunity to do so. I will approach this opportunity as I do any task given to me. I will give it my all; on this you have my word. This means a lot to me, as I am a woman of integrity, and I cannot think of another job within this community in which my goals are so in parallel to those of the townspeople of Killingworth.

Nancy Gorski holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Computer Information Services from Medaille College.