The May 19 Cazenovia Board of Education election will feature four candidates running for three open seats. The candidates are David Mehlbaum, Louis Orbach, Jennifer Parmalee and Jennifer Bradstreet.
The three highest vote-getters will be elected to the board. Each will serve a three-year term, beginning July 1.
The Cazenovia Republican sent each candidate a questionnaire in order to publish a profile to inform potential voters of who they are and what they stand for, although not all candidates followed the template we provided.
The school board election, as well as the vote to approve the 2015-16 school district budget, is scheduled to occur from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. Tuesday, May 19. The board of education will hold its monthly meeting at 6:30 p.m. that same night in the board meeting room, then adjourn to the high school auxiliary gym at 9 p.m. to certify the election results.
David (Dave) Mehlbaum
Address:
5337 Mark Lane, Cazenovia
Name of spouse
Natalie Mehlbaum, graduate of Cazenovia High School
Number children, please include names, ages, grade levels and schools
Four children:
Meghan (8), Burton Street Elementary (third Grade)
Caroline (6), Burton Street Elementary (kindergarten)
Abigail (3), preschool at Cazenovia Children’s House and Future Cazenovia Class of 2028
Andrew (2), future Cazenovia Class of 2030
Educational background and degrees
Loyola University Maryland, Bachelor of Arts (Communications, History)
Profession and employer
Commercial Construction Project Manager. Employed by Hueber-Breuer Construction in Syracuse. Previously worked at Clark Construction based in Bethesda, Md., for over 13 years.
How long have you lived in the Cazenovia district?
We moved to Cazenovia in January of 2010 through a work opportunity. After moving back to Maryland in 2012, we were able to return to Cazenovia permanently in the summer of 2013.
Are you involved in any Cazenovia school district-related activities or groups? If so, please list.
Not currently
Are you currently active in any community groups or activities? Please list.
Member, Friends of Lorenzo
Currently serving on the Board of the Associated General Contractors New York State.
Serve on a committee for the Make-A-Wish Foundation of CNY.
Leadership Greater Syracuse Class of 2014
Washington Jesuit Academy Buildings and Grounds Committee
Why are you seeking election to the school board?
Cazenovia is a special place with a great sense of community. I would like the opportunity to give back and help make what is already a strong school district even better. I feel that I can bring energy and an open mind to the review of district policies, and provide leadership as the community continues activism to improve the reduction of our state funding.
What do you think are a few of the most important issues the board will face this year, and how will you approach those issues if elected?
Having attended multiple school board meetings over the past year, it is apparent that the board will continue to face difficulty with the budget. The economic climate of lower enrollment and the reduction in state aid has resulted in a painful amount of programs eliminated over the past several years. I am encouraged by, and want to help lead, community activism aimed at raising our voices to affect change in state aid.
One of the primary tasks of the Board is the review and adherence to policy. I look forward to being able to help the Board update the district’s policy manual so that it can become a living document that can help set the tone for the entire district.
What skills/experience/outlook do you bring to the board that makes you the best candidate?
I am an effective communicator who enjoys working with others towards a common goal. I enjoy meeting people and look forward to hearing from the community on what we can do to improve our schools. I consider myself to be thoughtful and deliberate in decision making. As an example, as part of my decision making process for running for Board of Education, I attended several school board meetings throughout the year to observe. Lastly, my experience in building construction will help in decisions that affect our district’s physical plant.
Why should people vote for you?
I have a history of being a team player willing to take the lead on tough challenges. I look forward to serving the community and leading our efforts to make Cazenovia Central Schools the best it can be.
Louis Orbach
Address:
4483 Lincklaen Road, Cazenovia
Name of spouse:
Anastasia Urtz
Number children, please include names, ages, grade levels and schools:
Benjamin Orbach, Age 11, fifth Grade, Cazenovia Middle School
Educational background and degrees:
Chicago Public Schools, K-12; University of Illinois, Bachelor of Science, Psychology; University of Michigan Law School, Juris Doctor
Profession and employer:
Attorney, in practice since 1994. Member of Bond, Schoeneck & King, PLLC.
How long have you lived in the Cazenovia district?
17 years
Are you involved in any Cazenovia school district-related activities or groups? If so, please list.
With an active fifth grader, my family supports and participates in numerous district-related and extracurricular activities, including Cazenovia Youth Soccer, Cazenovia Baseball Softball Association, and the CYAA Basketball League. Next weekend I’ll be accompanying the sixth grade band as a parent chaperone on their trip to perform at Darien Lake.
Are you currently active in any community groups or activities? Please list.
I am currently vice chairperson of the Town of Cazenovia Zoning Board of Appeals. I have been serving on the ZBA since 2011. This has given me an opportunity to become involved in many aspects of community planning.
Why are you seeking election to the school board?
From kindergarten through law school, I am a product of public schools. My education and experience have afforded me a profound respect for the importance of public education and public service. My family has made Cazenovia our home because of the high value our community places on its schools and its children. I would be honored and pleased to contribute to the stewardship of our excellent District.
What do you think are a few of the most important issues the board will face this year, and how will you approach those issues if elected?
The board’s top priority must always be to see that a first-class education is available to every student in our district in a fiscally responsible manner. I commend the current Board for putting forward a 2015-16 budget that maintains all existing academic, athletic, and extracurricular programs, aims to enhance special education, does not exceed the District’s tax levy limit, and appropriates less reserve funds than the year before. There is more hard work ahead to keep our District strong. State funding pressures remain, and declining student population trends also present challenges.
I commit to approach each issue that arises by listening to our educators, families, and community members, considering all the available evidence, and seeking solutions in the best long-term interest of our kids and our community.
What skills/experience/outlook do you bring to the board that makes you the best candidate?
A school board member must be ready to address complex and sensitive issues in a thoughtful and deliberate way, to listen and learn from differing viewpoints, and to do the hard work of fact-based decision-making. My temperament, attention to detail, and the experience gained from 21 years of legal practice make me well suited for these tasks. I also have a pretty good sense of humor, which might just come in handy from time to time.
Why should people vote for you?
I’ll work hard, listen well, and do the very best I can for our community and our kids.
Jennifer Parmalee
Address:
5516 Mount Pleasant Drive, Cazenovia
Name of Spouse:
Darren Kupinsky
Children:
Sophia, age 8, second grader at Burton Street.
Sam, age 5, entering kindergarten in the fall at Burton Street.
Educational background and degrees:
Master of Public Administration, June 2001, Syracuse University, Maxwell School of Citizenship & Public Affairs
Bachelor of Arts, Political Science, 1997, Nazareth College of Rochester, Rochester, NY, Concentrations: Pre-Law, History
Profession and employer:
I am the director of School Based Initiatives with the Onondaga County Department of Children and Family Services. Prior to this position, I served at the director of Child and Youth Services for the Onondaga County Department of Mental Health and as executive director of McMahon/Ryan Child Advocacy Site.
How long have you lived in the Cazenovia school district?
12 years
Are you involved in activities or groups?
We are members of the Cazenovia Ski Club. Our children play soccer and lacrosse and I am a member of the Cazenovia Mom’s Club.
Why are you seeking election to the school board?
My husband and I have dedicated our lives to the education of young people. Darren serves as a fifth grade teacher in another district and my work is devoted to supporting the many school districts in Onondaga County. I would like to offer that experience and passion to Cazenovia School district. I believe that we have a great district, and it can be an extraordinary district.
What do you think are a few of the most important issues the board will face this year and how will you approach those issues if elected?
I believe we will need to focus on the following:
✓Ensuring a healthy financial position given the decreased funding and additional mandates from the state.
✓Establishing a long range plan that ensures curriculum, budget and other decisions tie together to meet a common district vision for the success of all students.
✓Ensuring the transition to inclusion for students with special needs is smooth and successful for all.
If elected, my approach will be to engage all stakeholders (teachers, parents, administrators, support staff, students, board, etc.) in open and honest dialogue to ensure the best possible decisions.
What skills/experience/outlook do you bring to the board that makes you the best candidate?
As director of School Based Initiatives with Onondaga County, I oversee a budget of more than 8 million dollars. The focus of my work is to integrate community supports and services into the schools. The services address the social, economic, health and emotional/behavioral challenges that may get in the way of a child’s success.
I have been instrumental in the development and implementation of Onondaga County’s Promise Zone initiative which is a collaboration between the Syracuse City School District, Onondaga County, Say Yes to Education and community agencies. The mission of the initiative is to match students’ emotional/behavioral needs with effective interventions and keep students in class and ready to learn.
Why should people vote for you?
I have significant experience working with schools solving complex problems. I am passionate about education and supporting all students in the district. I believe we have a great district and we can and should push ourselves to be extraordinary! I have been working to address complex challenges in multiple school districts since 2008 and have a reputation as a national leader in the area mental health and school collaboration. This background, the ability to capitalize on opportunities presented and the ability to build consensus among a diverse population make me an ideal board member.
Anything else to add?
Let’s commit ourselves to moving from great to extraordinary! This will mean working with all stakeholders to identify the needs and strengths of our district. Together we need to establish a vision and determine what needs to happen to make that vision a reality.
Jennifer Arlene Bradstreet
Education:
I was born in Endicott, N.Y., resided in Endwell, N.Y., attending kindergarten through fourth grade in Cherry Hill, N.J. and Hagerstown, Md. Entered Cazenovia Central Schools in fifth grade after coming to Cazenovia in 1979, where I attended through grade 9, in 1983. Attended Hong Kong International School for grades 10 and 11, returning to Cazenovia and graduating from Cazenovia Central School in 1986. Graduate of SUNY Morrisville and SUNY Cornell.
Residency:
Since 1979, I have been a resident of Cazenovia, Fenner and now Erieville, within the Cazenovia school system, excluding 1983-84, as my dad accepted an assignment in Hong Kong, and family lived in Hong Kong, where I attended Hong Kong International School, grades 10 and 11.
Ongoing Affiliation to CCS:
My nephew and niece graduated CCS, and I share a connection to a young man, since age 2, now a ninth grader at CCS. Those experiences have allowed me to monitor the system from a distance. With two young nephews, two and four years old, moving to Cazenovia in 2014, now Nelson, I feel an even stronger interest to become closer to our area school system.
General:
I believe I would be an asset to the board, as I am compassionate that children come first. I believe the success of the past and present school boards will be well served, and will continue that success when I am elected.
What makes me a good candidate:
What came to mind first would have to be my family background. I was raised in a “corporate family” and moved around quite a bit before finally settling in Cazenovia at age 11, then in the fifth grade. For the next 30 years, with the exception of two years of high school in Hong Kong, I remained in Cazenovia up through now; having lived in the village of Cazenovia, Fenner and now Erieville for past two years.
The corporate part of the family, my dad, taught me the necessity for long hours of hard work, but always remembering to keep the family first. Both my parents are strong willed and instilled that same passion in me for the future of our children. From my mother, I have obtained a strong head for numbers, combined with the ultimate gift of common sense. The combination of these would surely be an asset to the board.
From my education at Morrisville and Cornell I branched into a more agricultural versus corporate direction. This has given me dual insight to serve the many diverse families within the village and rural Cazenovia area.
