Better Future for Poughkeepsie City Schools

Meet Your Newest Board Members:

Doreen Clifford:

I am Doreen Clifford and I am running for the Poughkeepsie City School District Board of Education. I love the community of Poughkeepsie. I believe in our students and our district. I believe our school district has so much to offer our children. It is time to put the focus back on our children and what they deserve.

I grew up in Dutchess County. I have always loved the City of Poughkeepsie. My husband, daughter and I moved in to the city in 2006 and purchased our home in 2007. My daughter started at Krieger Elementary in 2010 and was part of the last full day kindergarten in that school. I became involved immediately--volunteering in the classroom, going to and supporting school functions, and attending board meetings. I soon became quite involved in the Parent Teacher Association (PTA)--serving as secretary, president, and treasurer from 2010 until now. I am currently the treasurer for both Poughkeepsie Middle School PTA and Krieger PTA. I continue to work collaboratively with our administrators and teachers.

I have been attending Poughkeepsie City School Board of Education (BOE) meetings since my daughter was in kindergarten. Attending the BOE meetings regularly has functioned to keep me abreast of what is happening in our district. It has provided me with an education about public education from a local perspective, as well as from a state level.

I served on the district's budget review committee for 3 years during the previous superintendent’s tenure. I served on the district's Strategic Planning Committee in 2012. I currently serve on the Health and Wellness committee, the Task Force for Parent and Community engagement, and the Transformation Team at Poughkeepsie Middle School. I also substitute teach in our district, which gives me a unique perspective of our students, their needs, and challenges. In 2014, I was among 20 advocates who went to Albany and spoke with legislators about the financial and educational needs of our students in Poughkeepsie.

I have a Master’s degree in Urban Studies. While I did not complete my dissertation, I completed my coursework and comprehensive exams for a PhD in Urban Studies and Public Affairs. I have a paralegal certificate from Marist College.

My experience within the district along with my education have prepared me for a seat on the school board. I have always had a calling to serve the public. I feel very strongly about the value of public education. I will continue to work tirelessly to make sure our children receive the education they are entitled to and deserve.

Debra Long:

Debra Long was raised in Dutchess County, moved to the City of Poughkeepsie at the age of seven and attended the Poughkeepsie City School District (PCSD) public education system. Debra attended Marist College’s Upward Bound Program for three years and is a graduate of the Poughkeepsie High School.

As a single parent working full-time, Debra returned to school, and earned a Bachelor’s degree from Marist College, two Master’s from Mercy College, and is currently pursuing a Doctoral Degree in Education at Concordia University.

Debra has held various administrator positions throughout the Hudson Valley including: working under the umbrella of the WIA (Workforce Investment Act) without of school youth, Deputy Director with Newburgh Community Action Agency, Director of the Hudson Valley Asthma Coalition, Director of Multi-Family Housing, and currently as Director of Weatherization. Additionally, Debra teaches at Dutchess and Westchester Community Colleges as an Adjunct Instructor.

Growing up and flourishing in Poughkeepsie, Debra wants to provide others with the same or better opportunities than she received. As a positive community leader, Debra believes that one of her most vital roles is to assist the community as a whole, as well as assist the community with how to critically evaluate, analyze, and solve problems.

Having a love for education and student achievement, Debra exemplifies what the City of Poughkeepsie public educational system can produce with the right people in place. She believes that it is necessary that strategies are constantly being adapted, created, analyzed, and evaluated to the ever-changing classroom to ensure that the best possible student learning outcomes are being achieved.

Debra’s goal is that through serving on the Poughkeepsie City School District School Board that adhering to law and PCSD Policy and Regulations that she, through governance, ensures that every student in the school district receives a good education as well as develops socially and emotionally.