Four seats, four candidates
WARWICK — This year, there are four open seats on the Warwick Valley School Board.
And there are four candidates.
The three people who receive the highest number of votes will each serve for three years.
The candidate with the lowest number of votes will serve for the remaining year of former BOE member Paul Caskey's term.
The candidates responded to a questionnaire from Abby Wolf, who covers the school board for The Warwick Advertiser, in which she asked for information about their background, what is the critical issue before the district and what could they do about it.
The candidates' answers are listed in alphabetical order:
David Eaton
Length of residency in Warwick: 25 years
Immediate family currently working for WVCSD: No
Children in WVCSD: Two WVHS grads & college graduates
Current employment: Retired
Previous employment: Worked in the medical information field; Business Development Manager for BMJ Publishing
Have you ever served on the WVCSD Board of Education?
I was first elected to the WVCSD Board of Education in 1997, after serving on the District Space Needs Committee in 1996. I served as a Board member until 2000, and currently serve as Board President.
WVCSD volunteer groups: 20/20 Committee and Fair Funding Committee
Community activities/volunteer: Warwick Rotary Club and Make a Wish Foundation of the Hudson Valley.
Candidate statement
The Gap Elimination Adjustment (GEA) and the shrinkage of school funding is the biggest issue currently facing our school district.
Being involved in advocacy at the state level is very important in addressing the school funding issue.
I would like to continue to maintain the collegial relationship between board members and facilitate the professional development of our new superintendent.
Shannon Hockender
Length of residency in Warwick: 13 years
Immediate family currently working for WVCSD: None
Children in WVCSD: Warwick Valley Middle School: Grade 6; Sanfordville Elementary School: Grade 4/PIE program
Current employment: I dedicate my time to raising my two children and actively volunteering in our schools and in the community.
Previous employment: I'm a former preschool and elementary school teacher who continues to have a passion for education.
Have you ever served on the WVCSD Board of Education?
I enjoyed this year's one-year term of service as a school board member and felt it was a great learning experience. Last year I participated in the following BOE committees: Facilities, Policy, 20/20 and in our Regional Advocacy Group (Fair Funding for Our Schools).
WVCSD volunteer groups: Active P.I.E. classroom volunteer; PTA member; Lego League Team Coach; Drama Club producer for Sanfordville Elementary School.
Community activities/volunteer: Volunteer Religious Education teacher at St. Stephen's Church
Candidate statement
The lack of state funding has a tremendous negative impact on our district every school year.
I will continue to be an active member of our regional advocacy group, "Fair Funding for Our Schools," to make sure that our legislators hear the concerns of our community members. We were able to accomplish a great deal this year in our advocacy efforts by working together with other school districts in our region. "Fair Funding for Our Schools" is a growing advocacy effort that parents, teachers, students, PTAs and Superintendents are taking part in...and Albany will continue to hear from us!
I want to see our students achieve academically and grow into successful citizens who are prepared for college or life after high school graduation. It's important to me that we work together as a school board to ensure that our students receive a top-notch education and that we support our teachers in providing it to them.
Dory Masefield
Length of residency in Warwick: 12 years
Immediate family currently working for WVCSD: No
Children in WVCSD: Warwick Middle School Grade 6; Sanfordville Elementary Grade 4; Warwick HS 2009 graduate & SUNY Stony Brook 2013 grad
Current employment: Algebra Tutor
I serve as the General Contractor for building our house, which is almost complete. I designed our house, and managed all sub-contractors and completed aspects of the construction myself. My husband and I both have a lot of personal experience with carpentry, so we enjoy building cabinets, porches, chicken coops, or whatever else needs to be made!
Previous employment: Middle and High School Science Teacher at Islesboro Central School, Me.; Elderhostel Instructor in Oceanography at Ferry Beach Conference Center, Me.; Teaching/Research Assistant, University of Maine Oceanography Department; Research Technician for Dartmouth College Environmental Studies Department
WVCSD volunteer groups: WVCSD PIE Program Volunteer 2008-present; Helped create and maintain the Nature Trail behind Sanfordville Elementary School, lead nature walks and maintain PIE garden, help PIE teachers with Math and Science lessons and hands-on science activities.; Stage Manager/Set Design and Construction for Sanfordville Drama Productions 2012, 2013, 2014; WVCSD 20/20 Committee Member - 2009-present; Fair Funding Committee; WVCSD Budget Committee 2009-2011
Community activities/volunteer: Coach Warwick Travel Soccer 2011-present; Coach Warwick Rec Soccer 2008-2011
Candidate statement
The biggest issue facing Warwick Schools is to provide a quality education for our students. Technology and innovation are changing the work place environment at an increasingly rapid pace. Our educators have to keep pace with that change if our students are going to be competitive and successful in the work force.
Warwick has to maintain pressure on Albany to demand the adequate funding for our public schools that we are legally entitled to. The Fair Funding effort in Warwick has been doing excellent work to keep focus on the issue and to target what changes need to be made. New York State has to end the Gap Elimination Adjustment and reduce the number of unfunded mandates.
I would like to help create trust between the community and the Board of Education and Warwick School Administration. My background in different academic capacities, as both staff and teacher, and at different academic institutions, gives me a depth of understanding for the various stakeholders involved. The path to creating the best educational opportunities for our students with such limited resources is by building consensus and working together.
Erin Maxcy
Length of residency in Warwick: 4 years
Immediate family currently working for WVCSD: None
Children in WVCSD: Sanfordville Elementary School: Grade K and Grade 3
Current employment: I dedicate my time to raising my children and being an active volunteer in the community and schools.
Previous employment: Oncology/palliative care social worker at Stony Brook University Hospital until five years ago.
WVCSD volunteer groups: PTA member since 2010; Secretary of PTA; Vice President of PTA; Currently Vice President of PTA Council; Currently PTA Liaison to Warwick Foundation for Excellence in Education (WFEL); Chair of PTA Reflections, Family Picnic, Chair of Original Works, taught a French enrichment class, volunteered in art room for two years.
Community activities/volunteer: Coach soccer for four years; Warwick Valley Chorale member.
Candidate statement
I wish to be a member so that I can contribute to the decision making process that involves the educational and fiscal concerns pertaining to our students, staff and community.
Currently, our biggest challenge is NYS and the lack of aid to public schools. In order for WVCSD to tackle this we need to raise awareness in our community.
Parents need to become informed through their PTAs at local, regional, and national levels. There is a bevy of resources that remains invariably untapped by our schools. Legislative events are open to PTA members and provide current and essential information to assist in parent advocacy. In addition, Fair Funding is making strides regionally but can not progress without community participation.
I would hope to influence an increased participation in support from the community regarding advocacy for our schools.