Meet the North Syracuse Board of Education candidates

NORTH SYRACUSE — There are four candidates running for three 3-year terms on the North Syracuse Board of Education.

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Robert Crabtree

Biographical information

I have been a resident of North Syracuse since 1986. I retired in June 2007, after having taught elementary school for 36 years in the North Syracuse Central School District. During my tenure I was honored with the 1988 North Syracuse Teacher of the Year, STANYS Excellence in Science Teaching Award, Technology Club of Syracuse 1991 Outstanding Teacher Award and the Post-Standard Golden Apple Award. The creative and innovative programs in my classroom led to me being recognized with three New York Assembly resolutions.

Previously I graduated from Onondaga Central High School, hold a bachelor of arts (magna cum laude) degree from SUNY Fredonia, a master’s of science in education from SUNY Cortland and a certificate of advanced study from SUNY Cortland.

I continue to be involved in my community as a volunteer including: Meals on Wheels, Immanuel Lutheran Church, and the C-NS Optimist Club. They are all organizations that I volunteer for and are actively involved in. My favorite volunteer programs are the ones where I am working with the youth of the community. Presently I am the facilitator for the C-NS High School Optimist Club.

How will your experience serve you on the BOE?

To be successful a board of education member needs to have leadership, communication, and decision-making skills that provide accountability to the community. As someone who has been on the North Syracuse Board of Education for nine years previously from 2009-2015, and presently a member since 2019, these skills have been used by myself on a daily basis. From 2013-2015 I held the office of vice president. Presently I am chair of the Legislative Committee and a member of both the Budget and Facilities Board Committees.

As a member of the Onondaga-Cortland-Madison BOCES School Board since 2015, I have had the opportunity to work with 23 component school districts in Central New York. Presently I am chair of the Audit Committee, and a member of both the Facilities and Career and Technical Advisory Committees. In 2017, I received the Onondaga–Madison School Board Member Achievement Award.

What is one major issue facing your district, and what actions would you take in addressing that issue if you are elected?

The biggest issue facing the North Syracuse District is providing the necessary programs that let each student receive a quality education in this most challenging world but realizing the fiscal responsibility we must provide to the community.

During the pandemic it was a very difficult for school employees and parents to provide both the social, emotional and academic support for students. However, I saw our school community come together with teachers providing virtual learning and our food service and transportation personnel delivering breakfasts and lunches to all our students. Everyone went above and beyond to support students both emotionally and academically with Superintendent Dan Bowles and his cabinet successfully leading us out of the pandemic by using federal and state monies to get our students back to school full time.

Our budget priorities over this most difficult time have included: increased staffing for a comprehensive mental health network including an increase in social workers and nursing staff. We also are increasing staff so that there is an instructional coach at each elementary school, an additional security guard for safety concerns, and expanding our English as a New Language program to a third elementary school.

During this period, we need to be fiscally responsible to our taxpayers by using our federal and state monies wisely so the tax levy remains at the tax cap.

Where can people learn more about you?

I am a very visible school board member at many school events including musical and sporting where community members are welcome to come speak to me. Most people contact me through District Clerk Jillian Herrera at [email protected].

Matthew Hermann

Biographical information

I have lived in the school district most of my life — at least 50 years (minus a short stint in the Navy).

I am married and have three boys, two of whom graduated from C-NS.

I have a dual bachelor’s in computer and electronic engineering from SUNY Polytech.

I am currently working at OCM Boces as a senior network administrator.

How will your experience serve you on the BOE?

These last three years have given me an education in what it really means to be a BOE member. I would be honored to be able to take my on the job training, as it were, and expand my knowledge to help the board, teachers and voters make this a place where kids can really strive to be their best, no matter the path they choose to take.

What is one major issue facing your district, and what actions would you take in addressing that issue if you are elected?

Though many issues face our districts and those around us, mental health is and should be in the forefront of them. I would do my best to ensure that this is funded and supported best we can, and that it remains a priority in the district always.

Where can people learn more about you?

Contact me through the school district,(i.e. District Clerk) or visit me on the 17th outside the polls. I am also available before or after any board meeting.

Nicole Planty

Biographical information

I am a 2002 graduate of C-NS born and raised in the North Syracuse District. I was also a graduate of the BOCES program at I.E. Henry Education Center, receiving my cosmetology license right out of high school.

I worked in a salon while attending OCC (humanities), Oswego (CTE education 7-12), and then earned a master’s in educational leadership. I am a school teacher at ESM and I own a hair salon in North Syracuse.

My two children, husband and I live in the Cicero area and both of my children attend schools in the district.

How will your experience serve you on the BOE?

My experience in education will benefit the district as I am familiar with policies, state aid, and how the educational system works. I am also an advocate for parents in the district as my child is a student with special educational needs. I am familiar with parents’ rights and how the IEP/504 process works as well as the laws and rights of the parents.

What is one major issue facing your district, and what actions would you take in addressing that issue if you are elected?

If elected I would love to be able to help aid in the hiring process as the board must approve all hires. I would like to sit on many committees to help get parents’ voices heard, and most importantly try to change the policy that the board cannot speak to or have contact at meetings with stakeholders.