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BOE Election Candidates Bios Available
There are 4 open spots on the Board of Education. The following candidates are running for election.
Click or tap on the name for more information.
Years in District: 8
Employment: New York City Department of Education, Central Office
Education: Doctorate of Education: Saint Peter's University-- in progress
Spouse/Occupation/Employment: Juanella Colbourne / Teacher/ HYDE Leadership Charter School
Children/Ages/Schools: Leilani Colbourne/3/ Will be enrolled in the ¶¹ÄÌÊÓƵ this September
¶¹ÄÌÊÓƵ Committees/Community Committees Served On: Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity Incorporated, Education Chair, Newburgh Transportation Committee
How would you complete the following sentence?
If I could achieve any one education accomplishment while serving as a Board of Education Member it would be...
Collaborating with key stakeholders to reduce the chronic absenteeism rates in the ¶¹ÄÌÊÓƵ. Chronically absent is defined as having missed 18 days of instruction over a 180 day period. Based on State Education Department data for the 2018-2019 school year, 1,917 students, K-12 are chronically absent in the district. Reducing these numbers will lend to an increase in direct instruction, higher student proficiency, and competitive college and career readiness.
What do you view as the Board of Education's top priorities:
I believe the Board of Education's top priority should be Remote Instruction and all of the complexities that are associated with Remote Instruction (i.e. safety, social distancing, job security, teaching, learning, electronic connectivity, budget, funding, supports for students/ teachers and a myriad of other nuanced intricacies). I think where applicable, under state, federal, and gubernatorial guidance, we need to begin to plan what re-opening schools in September will look like. Specifically, developing SMARTIE (Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic, Time-Bound, Inclusive and Equitable) Goals with thoughtful timelines. Based on my professional experience, I believe I am the best candidate to support and guide the district through this new reality.
Years in District: 31
Employment: Manager
Education: Bachelor of the Arts
Spouse/Occupation/Employment: NA
Children/Ages/Schools: 0
¶¹ÄÌÊÓƵ Committees/Community Committees Served On: 0
How would you complete the following sentence?
If I could achieve any one education accomplishment while serving as a Board of Education Member it would be...
Increasing our community's children's access to and study of cutting edge technology inside of our schools.
What do you view as the Board of Education's top priorities:
The B.o.E.'s top priority is creating a positive environment in which students can learn not only basic subjects like reading, writing, and math; but to expand as individuals and appreciate the arts, science, critical thinking, and healthy socializing; through the means of managing a harmonious relationship with the various elements that make up a school district.
Years in District: 30
Employment: Adjunct Facilitator for New York State School Board Association
Education:
Spouse/Occupation/Employment: Ray Fucheck-Superintendent of Raditation Protection-Indian Point Entergy Nuclear
Children/Ages/Schools:
All Graduates of ¶¹ÄÌÊÓƵ
Elissa Dickinson, 34, Teacher-¶¹ÄÌÊÓƵ
Ryan Fucheck, 31, Meteorologist SUNY Albany Graduate
Alex Fucheck, 26, Instrumental Controls Technician, Indian Point, Entergy Nuclear
Brett Fucheck, 25, Mount Saint Mary College Graduate, BS
¶¹ÄÌÊÓƵ Committees/Community Committees Served On:
Newburgh Teacher Center Policy Board, Curriculum, Personnel, Buildings & Grounds, Library, Compact, Finance, Capital Bond, Orange County School Boards, Boys and Girls Club of Newburgh
How would you complete the following sentence?
If I could achieve any one education accomplishment while serving as a Board of Education Member it would be...
to work collaboratively towards the common goal of increasing student achievement and ensuring equity for all.
What do you view as the Board of Education's top priorities:
The adoption of policies and budgets that support student achievement.
Allocate district resources to achieve the District's mission, vision and goals.
Provide a safe learning environment where teachers can teach and students can learn.
Years in District: 27
Employment: North Point Carpet Supplies
Education: Associates degree OCCC
Spouse/Occupation/Employment: Teacher Aide - ¶¹ÄÌÊÓƵ
Children/Ages/Schools:
Aliya, Graduate of American University
Rebecca, Graduate of University of Albany -
Michael, Graduate of Binghamton University-
Matthew, NFA (12th grade)
¶¹ÄÌÊÓƵ Committees/Community Committees Served On:
¶¹ÄÌÊÓƵ: Capitol Bond Project Advisory, Newburgh Teacher Center Policy Board, Finance, Personnel, Curriculum, Building & Grounds, Exceptional Learners & Compact Committees
Temple Beth Jacob Trustee. Jewish Federation of Greater Orange County Trustee
How would you complete the following sentence?
If I could achieve any one education accomplishment while serving as a Board of Education Member it would be...
To partner with parents and educators to create better outcomes and opportunities for the children of the Newburgh School District.
What do you view as the Board of Education's top priorities:
To ensure a safe and secure environment for the children of this district, so our educators can provide to the best education possible. Strive to make sure that our students graduate, and that they are College or Career ready, and Civic-minded young adults.
Years in District: 47
Employment: Retired
Education:
BA Secondary Education, Spanish; MA Elementary Education, CAS School District Administration, ABD NYU School District Administration
Spouse/Occupation/Employment:
Children/Ages/Schools:
¶¹ÄÌÊÓƵ Committees/Community Committees Served On:
As the President of the Board of Education since 2015, I sit on (and attend) every Board Committee and have been a member of the Strategic Planning Steering Committee. For the last two years, I have been the Chairperson of the Curriculum Committee. I am a member of the Newburgh Teachers’ Center Policy Board since July 2019.
How would you complete the following sentence?
If I could achieve any one education accomplishment while serving as a Board of Education Member it would be...
I would like to see a unified Reading Program for the Primary Grades that would help all students to read and enjoy reading by the end of second grade. This would have a great effect on the entire Enlarged School District. Having a districtwide Reading/Language Arts Program that is aligned to Local, State and National Standards would provide all of our young students with the foundational learning that they need to be successful throughout their academic careers and beyond. This program should be one that is chosen carefully with input from our teaching professionals and one that provides on-going professional development to support of teaching staff.
What do you view as the Board of Education's top priorities:
During this time of COVID19, our first priority should be safety – safety for our students, staff and community as we begin to plan for face-to-face instruction.
Second should be fiscal responsibility. In this difficult financial time, the Board must be sure that all programs and services are running at maximum efficiency – both in instructional and financial effectiveness.
Third, this priority revolves around unifying our Language Arts and Math programs in the primary grades. I feel that this would help us as a District to ensure that all students will be able to read by the end of second grade. This is extraordinarily important for every student’s future success – success in Middle and High School and successfully walking across Academy Field to a promising future.
Years in District:
Employment: Heritage Land Surveying PC & CV Associates NY
Education: AAS Forest Technology-SUNY Environmental Science & Technology
Spouse/Occupation/Employment: Evelyn Mejia-Stridiron-Heritage Land Surveying-PC
Children/Ages/Schools:
Matthew Stridiron-18-Columbia University
David Stridiron-16-NFA
Zachory Stridiron-5-Center for Spectrum Services
¶¹ÄÌÊÓƵ Committees/Community Committees Served On:
Policy, Curriculum, Personnel, Library, Finance, Building & Grounds, Wellness, Health & Safety.
How would you complete the following sentence?
If I could achieve any one education accomplishment while serving as a Board of Education Member it would be...
Returning our school system to a respected all encompassing, educational program that seeks to enrich the lives of our children and have them grow up as well rounded respectful adults.
What do you view as the Board of Education's top priorities:
Fiscal stability, ensuring safety & security for all who study, teach and support our programs provide a full educational experience that includes the Arts and promotes learning over simply passing.
Years in District: 33
Employment: retired teacher of English Language Arts
Education:
BA Baldwin-Wallace College
MS Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism
Spouse/Occupation/Employment:
Agnes Kelly Walker OCCUPATION: counselor PLACE OF EMPLOYMENT: Dutchess County ARC
Children/Ages/Schools:
Brechti Elleni Walker- Vega, 34, ¶¹ÄÌÊÓƵ District, BA Pine Manor College
Kebreht Meheret Walker, 27 Tuxedo Park School, Newburgh Enlarged City School District, BA Agnes Scott College
¶¹ÄÌÊÓƵ Committees/Community Committees Served On:
- Textbook selection committee
- Numerous reading and writing committees
- NAACP
- Racial Unity Council
- Nehemiah Project
How would you complete the following sentence?
If I could achieve any one education accomplishment while serving as a Board of Education Member it would be...
to continue to raise the reading, writing, analytical skills of all students by making our schools relevant hubs within our community.
What do you view as the Board of Education's top priorities:
Curriculum and teacher development
Budget alignment
Diversity recruitment
Collaboration between the district, union, schools, and community
ATTENTION: Are your scholars or colleagues doing something great? Please contact the district Communications Team at communications@necsd.net. We’d love to visit your class or event and/or post your pictures and recap to highlight the amazing accomplishments throughout our district!
