By Hayleigh Gowans
Staff Writer
On Tuesday, May 16, voters in the Fayetteville-Manlius School District will elect three school board members from a group of five candidates.
The terms of three current school board members, Timothy Crisafulli, Jeffrey Brown and Edin Ljuca, are expiring this year. Crisafulli will seek reelection, and four other candidates — Rebecca Cohen, Kelly Fumarola, Daniel Seidberg and Stewart Weisman — are vying to fill these three seats.
The 2017-18 F-M district budget will also be voted on, which has a proposed total amount of $80.7 million, which is a $1.1 million increase from last year’s budget. The proposed tax levy increase is $1.1 million. For more information on the proposed budget, go to fmschools.org/budget.
The election will be held from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Tuesday, May 16 at Fayetteville Elementary School, 704 S. Manlius St., Fayetteville.
The Eagle Bulletin has sent out a uniform questionnaire to all six candidates so residents can be better informed as to whom they are voting for. Below are their responses in alphabetical order by last name.
Rebecca Cohen
Professional experience: Attorney with experience in securities, antitrust, labor and employment litigation; certified mediator; and nonprofit executive in the education and healthcare sectors.
Education: F-M Schools (K to 12); Brown University, BA; Cardozo Law School, JD.
Organizations/groups involved with: Board member and chair, Early Childhood Development Program Committee; Jewish Community Center of Syracuse; Brown University Alumni Interviewing Program; mentor, Hopeprint; Pro Bono lawyer, Volunteer Lawyers Project of Onondaga County, Inc.
Why do you think you would make a good member on the F-M Board of Education?
As an F-M graduate and parent of three young children, my commitment to this district runs deep. My background as an attorney, mediator and nonprofit leader, as well as my collaborative spirit, will enable me to work well with all community constituencies to ensure that the district continues to thrive both academically and fiscally.
Please list the top three problems you believe F-M faces and how would you address these as a board member?
In today’s plugged in, technology-driven world, our children are bombarded daily with messages to be other than who they are, which can lead to significant mental health problems and substance abuse. Working together, parents and the school district can provide our students, in their most formative years, a safe haven to become all they can be. As a board member, I would continue to promote a school culture that values diversity and inclusion in both academic and extracurricular programming, while exploring educational strategies to meet each individual student’s needs.
What is your philosophy on education?
The strength of a democracy relies on an informed citizenry. Public education is an essential building block to that end. With the financial, social, and global competition pressures facing our students today, we need public education to be flexible, inclusive and innovative, while maintaining the highest standards of excellence.
Timothy Crisafulli
Professional experience: Crisafulli Gorman, P.C. (2012 to present); Hancock Estabrook, LLP (2006 to 2012). High School social studies teacher at Fayetteville-Manlius High School; Eagle Hill Middle School seventh grade social studies teacher (1994 to 1999); Wellwood Middle School, modified cross country coach.
Education: New York University School of Law, master of laws in Taxation (2013); Syracuse University College of Law, juris doctor (2006); Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs at Syracuse University, master of Social Science (2000); and LeMoyne College B.A in history, certification in secondary social studies education (1994).
Organizations/groups involved with: Fayetteville-Manlius Board of Education 2014 to present, current president of the Board of Education.
Why do you think you would make a good member on the F-M Board of Education?
As a certified teacher who taught in two of this district’s buildings, the current president of the board of education, and as a parent, I offer a unique perspective and extensive experience. I have well-established, strong working relationships with many members of our district’s administration, faculty and staff.
Please list the top three problems you believe F-M faces and how you would address these as a board member?
Voters should choose candidates whose education, experience and disposition render them well-equipped to address whatever issues may arise. More important than promoting a specific agenda are the abilities to: identify issues, interact with civility, vote in the best interest of all students and the community and reach decisions in a transparent manner based on community input, evidence and sound reason. In the near term, the board will likely focus on stewardship of our facilities, passing responsible budgets amidst shortfalls in state funding, and, in collaboration with our educators, strategic long-term planning to ensure continued excellence.
What is your philosophy on education?
Education is the most important endeavor of any society. We are fortunate that our community values education and benefits from highly dedicated, talented, hard-working educators. As a teacher and board president, it has been my honor to serve our students and community. I hope the voters allow me to continue.
Kelly Fumarola
Professional experience: I taught fifth grade in the Buffalo, NY area, and then worked as a grant writer for not-for-profits, educational institutions and municipalities in both New York and Pennsylvania. After taking eight years off to raise my daughters, I returned to work as a self-employed consultant to the not-for-profit sector, providing grant fund development support, as well as general programmatic, organizational and strategic guidance.
Education: M.S. in Education, Binghamton University, B.A. in Economics, Binghamton University
Organizations/groups involved with: F-M Facilities Task Force member, Parent Council representative, former co-vice president and president of the Fayetteville Elementary H.S.A. (parent-teacher group), current H.S.A. volunteer, F-M room parent. Provide pro-bono guidance and services to various not-for-profit organizations and small businesses through my consulting practice and am a member of Temple Concord.
Why do you think you would make a good member on the F-M Board of Education?
As a consultant to the not-for-profit sector, parent of school-aged children, and former educator, I understand the myriad issues facing school districts, as well as board roles and responsibilities. As a natural relationship-builder, I will bring people together to make decisions through open and direct dialogue and comprehensive information gathering.
Please list the top three problems you believe F-M faces and how would you address these as a board member?
Upholding the district’s high standards, while minimizing taxpayer burden. Advocating for F-M to receive its fair share of state foundation aid and increased education funding; overseeing a smooth transition to a new Assistant Superintendent for Business Services over the next year; and moving forward a cost-effective, student-centered district facilities renovation plan.
Ensuring that the Board develops sufficient policies that prioritize student mental and physical health, addressing issues including: student stress, substance abuse, violence, and cyberbullying.
Advocating for more appropriate state school evaluation methods that are based upon our teachers’ expertise and classroom practices, rather than standardized test scores.
What is your philosophy on education?
As a former educator with school-aged children, my educational philosophy is to provide a healthy and supportive environment where all our children are encouraged to deploy their natural curiosity to become life-long learners, critical thinkers, and involved citizens who will thrive in a constantly evolving, technologically-advanced world.
Daniel R. Seidberg
Professional experience: I am an entrepreneur, business owner and attorney. I founded my own law firm that I have operated for the past 14 years, and I am also the president and co-founder of an international internet communications company that provides critical technology and communication tools to fire departments, EMS agencies, and other first responder entities across North America. I also have significant board experience as a trustee of the FM Education Foundation, of which I am a member of the executive committee. Learn more at SeidbergFM.com.
Education: I graduated from FM High School in 1986. After FM, I received my bachelor of arts degree from Colgate University, where I graduated with a double major in psychology and philosophy. I then attended law school at the Boston University School of Law, where I earned my juris doctor degree.
Organizations/groups involved with: I have remained actively involved in the FM community as a as a Trustee of the FM Education Foundation, for which I am both the chair of the Finance and Legal Committee and a member of the executive committee, as a youth soccer coach for 14 seasons, as the co-chair of the Cavalry Club Swim Team, as a member of the FM Facilities Task Force, and as an FM parent. I also serve on various planning committees of a Section of the International Association of Fire Chiefs, and am a member of the Partners Council for the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation.
Why do you think you would make a good member on the F-M Board of Education?
As a lifelong FM resident, FM graduate and FM parent, I am deeply vested in the FM community. My business background will bring a practical perspective to the board. I know what it takes to manage complex entities, how to find solutions to difficult situations, and to get things done.
Please list the top three problems you believe F-M faces and how would you address these as a board member?
We must enable our teachers to be innovative and inclusive in unleashing the potential of all of our students, regardless of their needs and/or achievement level. This must include new approaches to life safety decisions made by our students.
We must remain mindful and respectful of the community’s financial resources, and strike a more careful balance between desires and needs to ensure that educational needs are met in a fiscally prudent manner.
A clear, comprehensive and transparent long-range facilities plan is needed so that the district can focus more on student and teacher needs than short-term brick and mortar issues.
What is your philosophy on education?
Our teachers must be enabled to provide excellence in education to all of our students, regardless of their current ability or achievement level, both in and outside of the classroom, with all board decisions being based on the needs and best interest of the students, in a fiscally prudent manner.
Stewart L. Weisman
Professional experience: Tenured professor of Criminal Justice and Homeland Security Studies at Cazenovia College; chair of the Social and Behavioral Sciences Division at the college with administrative duties for seven programs, including the Inclusive Early Childhood and Elementary Education programs; and Deputy Title IX Coordinator tasked to investigate allegations of violation of Title IX General Counsel to the New York Heart Center cardiovascular practice.
Education: B.A. in Economics from Brooklyn College, Magna Cum Laude; J.D. from Syracuse University College of Law.
Organizations/groups involved with: Federal court mandatory mediation panel member; board member of both the Legal Aid Society of Mid-New York and Legal Services of Central New York; NYS Department of Mental Health, Surrogate Decision-Making Committee panel member.
Why do you think you would make a good member on the F-M Board of Education?
Years of experience as an educator who understands the realities of classrooms, mediator who ensures fairness and transparency, and board member familiar with the “ins and outs” of governance position me to work well with different constituencies to solve problems and create a vision for the future of education.
Please list the top three problems you believe F-M faces and how would you address these as a board member?
Facilities planning. I would rely on input from the community task force, individual stakeholders and other board members, as well as information about recent facility improvements and reports by architects and engineers to inform my decision concerning the district’s facilities; communication and forum. Although F-M is a supportive community, we need to develop new ways to reach the public and inform stakeholders, including, those without children currently in the district and budget. Prepare for anticipated shortfall in state aid by continually exploring methods of cost reductions while acknowledging that budget cuts always start away from the classroom.
What is your philosophy on education?
Ensuring inclusivity for all district schoolchildren in furtherance of the mission to provide excellence in education to all students. As Lincoln said, “Upon the subject of education I view it as the most important subject which we as a people may be engaged in.”
