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Winkler will be stepping down from the board this summer after not running for re-election. Winkler was first elected to the board in 1999.
Winkler did volunteer work and was involved with the PTA before deciding to run for school board.
"I had been going to meetings for seven or eight years," Winkler said. "A retiring school board member suggested I might run."
After discussing it with her family, Winkler decided it would be a way to give back to the community.
"I was concerned about making sure we had quality education for all students," Winkler said. "I wanted to give everybody the chance to challenge themselves and be the best they could be."
During her time on the board, Pleasantville opened a new Bedford Road School and expanded Advanced Placement classes for all students, along with renovations and additions to Pleasantville High School and Pleasantville Middle School.
"I've had a lot of great colleagues on the board and worked with a great administration," Winkler said. "We have a community that supports education."
Winkler said having a community that supports education made her job on the school board easier.
"You're not battling a community that is not interested in educational opportunities," Winkler said.
After 15 years, Winkler said it was simply time, and she hopes to stay involved with the district, though she has no current plans.
"I don't know what I'll do on Tuesdays," Winkler said. "Maybe my husband and I will go out to dinner for a change. I'm sure I'll fill the time up."
Winkler said it was extremely rewarding to be on the school board.
"I felt privileged to serve on the board," Winkler said. "We have a stable administration, a great faculty and a huge parent support group. I'm going to miss it, but the board will carry on and do a great job."
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