North Syracuse voters will go to the polls to choose from four candidates for three open seats. All are full three-year terms. Sharon Jacquin Hartel did not respond to the Star-Review’s request for information.
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Jacqueline Owens
Biographical information
I moved to Cicero 21 years ago with my husband Bill, and we’ve raised our daughters Rosie and Maddy in the North Syracuse Central School District. Our family enjoys Central New York pastimes, like photography, camping in the Adirondacks, and Contra dancing. We are also involved in the four Morris dancing groups centered in Syracuse.
In the midst of caring for my family, I was previously on the North Syracuse Board of Education for nine years, but took a hiatus to go to Syracuse University for the School Library Media Certificate of Advance Study. Accomplishing this, I worked as a school librarian for a secondary school and an elementary school, which involved lesson planning, aligning library lessons to teacher lessons, and working to instill curiosity in students.
Why are you running for office?
I feel privileged to have the opportunity to serve the community and the students and staff of the North Syracuse Central School District. This privilege comes with a responsibility that I am ready to shoulder with other board members.
Why are you the best candidate?
Due to family obligations, I am not employed, which allows me more time to devote to the board of education. I also believe that the time in other school districts working as a librarian have contributed to my understanding of school environments and to be a part of more informed decision-making. In particular, my experiences in high-poverty schools convinced me that advocating for education is time well spent.
What are the major issues facing the district, and what will you do to address them?
Our district, like all others, has faced serious challenges, both financial and political, over the past five years. Many cuts were made to valuable programming that had contributed to building a solid environment for students and staff. While I admire the sacrifices that all students and staff have had to make, it is time to find ways to enhance the solid base we currently have. I am hoping that with further advocacy and thoughtful reflection the district can bring back a greater pride in our education.
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Mary Scanlon
Biographical information
My name is Mary Scanlon and I am a candidate running for re-election for the school board in the North Syracuse Central School District. I reside in Cicero, and have been a resident in the school district since 1988. I have two children, Andrew and Corey. Corey is a 2012 graduate of Cicero-North Syracuse High School and currently attends Onondaga Community College. Andrew is a 2009 graduate of CBA, attended Ithaca College and Utica College, and is currently employed by Sysco Food Services of Syracuse.
I am a graduate of East Syracuse-Minoa High School and attended State University College of New York at Geneseo. I am currently employed by Protective Life as a business systems analyst. I have worked in the financial service industry for 28 years, working in a team environment on corporate initiatives, involving project coordination and management, with IT partners and business clients. I’ve also held positions as a senior business analyst at AXA Equitable, as well as a life insurance and disability underwriter at Mutual of New York and The MONY Group.
Why are you running for school board?
I have always tried to be actively involved in the community, helping out with my sons’ school activities, events, and sports programs, while working full time and raising my family. I feel it is important to set good examples for my children by modeling good citizenship. Some of my most rewarding experiences have been while working in our schools. I feel I have something to contribute, I understand the commitment involved as a member of the board of education, and the promise I am making to work hard for our district.
Why are you the best candidate?
During my first term as a member of our school board, I have taken a very active role, participating on many committees over the last three years. I have served on the executive committee, the legislative committee, the budget sub-committee, the policy committee [of] which I am the chairperson, an interview committee and a capital improvement project committee. I am also a member of the C-NS Optimist Club. This extensive committee involvement has given me the opportunity to gain valuable experience, working as a team with district employees, students, community members and other members of the board of education, to help benefit our school district. I take great pride in the North Syracuse [Central] School District, and if I am given the opportunity for a second term, I will continue to work hard for our students and for our community.
What are the issues facing the district, and how will you address them?
One of the biggest issues facing our school district today is the loss of state aid from the Gap Elimination Adjustment. The Gap Elimination Adjustment (GEA) was first enacted to help close New York state’s budget deficit. Under the GEA, money was deducted from state aid that was originally promised to school districts. Over the past six years, the North Syracuse Central School District has lost over $43 million in promised state aid due to the GEA. This loss of state funding created a tremendous gap in our own school budget, resulting in deep cuts to staffing, student programs, sports and co-curricular activities since 2010.
Over the past three years, I have worked along with the legislative committee to help spread the word of the devastating effect of the GEA on our public schools. We’ve met with state legislators, attended public forums and written letters to Albany to communicate our opposition of the GEA. We kept the pressure on our local representatives until our voices were heard. On April 1, New York state legislators finally approved a state budget without the Gap Elimination Adjustment! Although this was a great victory for our schools, it does not replace the millions of dollars of lost revenue due to the GEA. There is more work to be done! If I am afforded the opportunity to be re-elected, I will continue to work hard with our district committees to fight for increased foundation aid to help our schools provide a sound education, and for equitable funding of our public schools within New York state.
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Michael Shusda
Biographical information
I retired in 2009 as assistant superintendent for management services for the Baldwinsville Central School District. I am currently employed in the municipal finance industry, and I teach educational leadership at SUNY Cortland. My wife JoAnn and I live in Clay. Our son Tom is a 1999 graduate of Cicero-North Syracuse High School.
Why are you running for office?
I was elected last year to complete a one-year term. I wish to remain a member of the board of education for a full three-year term.
Why are you the best candidate?
As a retired teacher and administrator, I bring an expertise in school finance to the board of education. I have worked with boards of education for more than 30 years, and I understand the dynamic that exists among the board, the staff and the community.
What are the major issues facing the district, and what will you do to address them?
All districts in New York state face a still uncertain economic future. While the financial support of the state has increased in the last two years, the district still has not been able to restore any of the programs that were eliminated a few years ago. Student performance is improving, and I am confident that the teachers and staff will be able to continue this trend. But the demands upon the district to provide an ever-expanding scope of services will cause additional financial strain.
A board of education works as a team. No single board member has the authority to create or implement policy. As a member of the board of education, I will support my colleagues as we continue to seek additional funding and to provide the students of the district with the best possible education.
