By Jason Emerson
editor
On May 15, Cazenovia voters will elect four members of the Cazenovia Central School District Board of Education. Three of the seats are for three-year terms on the board and one is for a one-year term to fill a previously vacated seat.
Four candidates are running for the four seats: Incumbent members David Mehlbaum and Jennifer Parmalee, and newcomers Ron Luteran and JoAnne Race.
While it was originally reported that current board member Lou Orbach was also running for reelection to his seat, he has since decided not to run.
The three candidates who receive the most votes in the election will win the three, three-year seats, while the candidate with the lowest vote total will win the one-year term on the board.
All four candidates in the election have responded to identical questionnaires from the Cazenovia Republican. Their responses are printed below in alphabetical order by last name.
Ron Luteran
Personal information
I have lived in the district since 1980 and my wife Liz and I have lived in our current home in the village since 1987.
Education
Bachelor’s degree magna cum laude, Ithaca College, 1977; Masters of Science for Teachers in Mathematics, University of New Hampshire Graduate School, 1981; graduate credits, Manhattan College AP Summer Institute, Syracuse University, and SUNY Cortland (for theater).
Professional experience
Taught High School Mathematics at Cazenovia High School from 1977-2017 (40 years). Math Department Leader 2008-17; class advisor for three classes (grades 8 through 12), Student Council Advisor 20 years, Boys Junior High Basketball coach for 30 years, Drama Club Advisor and Technical Director for 31 years.
Organizations/groups involved with
I have been a member of Trout Unlimited and AMTNYS (The Association of Mathematics Teachers of New York State) and I am a parishioner of St. James Church.
Why are you running for school board?
I was approached by both parents and community members about running for the board and after giving it some serious thought I felt it would be a good way to continue to be of service to the district and its students now that I am retired.
Why should people vote for you?
I feel I am in a unique position having worked as a teacher in the district for 40 years. I have also had additional experience as a department leader, math AIS coordinator, class advisor, coach and drama club advisor. I feel my experience in the district brings a unique insight and historical perspective that is currently missing.
If elected, what would be your goals and priorities?
Maintaining and improving the high level of achievement and diverse program offerings while remaining fiscally responsible. My top priority has always been to do what is best for all our students.
Top three issues the district faces and how would you address them?
- While attended this year’s budget workshop I was surprised to see just how serious the budget situation will be over the next few years. We need to be very prudent in how we spend the district’s money.
- Shifting enrollment and meeting the needs of all our students. Many students entering our district need more support at the lower levels to bring them up to speed and even though our enrollment may be dropping we still need to preserve the level of diversity and quality we offer to all levels of our students.
- State testing and curriculum changes. We need to better communicate the purpose of state tests and support curriculum development that helps prepare our students for the new challenges they will face with the implementation of the next generation learning standards.
How do you feel about the district’s current and planned procedures for maintaining and improving school safety and why?
During the last few years of my career, I witnessed many security updates and I’m sure we could always improve in this area.
Regarding a school resource officer, it doesn’t need to be all or nothing. Perhaps we could explore having one around during some key times of the day and most importantly it would need to be someone who knows how to deal with adolescents, as opposed to someone who just has had experience with firearms training.
But most importantly, we need to identify potential issues with individual students and provide ways for them to work through their issues.
Anything else you would like to add?
I would like to encourage every person who cares about our school to get out to vote and support our district.
David Mehlbaum
Personal information
I have lived in Cazenovia with my family since 2010. Spouse Natalie Hoagland Mehlbaum, Cazenovia High School class of 1998. Four children ages 11 (6th grade Caz MS), 9 (3rd grade BS Elem), 6 (1st grade BS Elem), 5 (Kindergarten at Burton Street in fall of 2018)
Education
Bachelor of Arts, Loyola University Maryland
Professional experience
M&T Insurance Agency, Assistant Vice President
Organizations/groups involved with
Cazenovia Public Library Board (2018-21), Cazenovia Youth Soccer Coach 2018, Washington Jesuit Academy Buildings and Grounds Committee (2009 – Present).
Why are you running for school board?
I have enjoyed my experience in the first three years serving on the Board of Education and am excited to put the experience I have gained in my first term to good use.
Why should people vote for you?
I am an honest, hardworking person who cares about the future of the district. The father of three, soon to be four, students in Cazenovia schools, I am invested in pursuing what is best for our students and community. I personally ask for and thank you for your vote.
If elected, what would be your goals and priorities?
My biggest goal is to review the results of the ongoing Strategic Plan process and help establish a culture within the district from the top down of approaching all decisions in the best interest of this plan.
Top three issues the district faces and how would you address them?
The three top issues the district faces are managing the budget in a responsible manner, meeting or exceeding our goals for achievement of all students, and the safety and well-being of our students.
As board members it is our responsibility to listen to the public and work with the administration to ensure that these, and all other issues, are dealt with consistently and with transparency. I am passionate about communication and feel that it should be a focus of not only the board, but the entire district.
How do you feel about the district’s current and planned procedures for maintaining and improving school safety and why?
I am confident that the district has taken steps to keep our schools safe and will continue to do so. In the past three years as a board member, I have been privy to many discussions regarding safety. I sit on the Buildings and Ground Committee and District Safety Committee.
The board has supported efforts financially to invest in safety and continued to do so in the coming budget with an allocation of $100,000 to currently unspecified health and safety initiatives. I welcome an open discussion on any ideas to make our schools safe for all students, faculty, and visitors.
Jennifer Parmalee
Personal information
My family and I have lived in the district for 15 years. Spouse: Darren Kupinsky; children: Sophia, age 11, fifth grader at the Middle school. Sam, age 8, second grader at Burton Street.
Educational background and degrees
Master of Public Administration, June 2001, Syracuse University, Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs
Bachelor of Arts, Political Science, 1997, Nazareth College of Rochester, Rochester, N.Y., Concentrations: Pre-Law, History.
Profession and employer
I serve as the deputy commissioner for the Onondaga County Department of Children and Family Services. Prior to this position, the director of school based initiatives for the same department and before that as the director of child and youth services with the Onondaga County Department of Mental Health.
Activities or groups
We are members of the Cazenovia Ski Club. Our children play soccer, baseball and lacrosse and we are members of the Willow Bank Yacht 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.
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.
If elected, what goals and priorities would you have?
If elected, my approach will be to engage all stakeholders (teachers, parents, administrators, support staff, students, staff, board, etc.) in open and honest dialogue to ensure the best possible decisions.
Top three issues the district faces and how would you address them?
- Access to the highest quality curriculum and instruction for all children: I will support the effort of the district to achieve this goal through advocacy, policy development and financial considerations through the budget process.
- Strategic Plan implementation: I will support the implementation of the Strategic Plan through required advocacy, policy development and financial considerations through the budget process.
- Financial position of the district: I will work to ensure a healthy financial position given the decreased funding and additional mandates from the state.
How do you feel about the district’s current and planned procedures for maintaining and improving school safety and why?
The Cazenovia administration and board of education have invested heavily in school safety over the last three years through the hiring of additional school support personnel as well as facility upgrades. In addition, at the April 2 board meeting, the board agreed to allocate $100,000 to currently unspecified health and safety initiatives for next year’s budget.
It is essential that we all work together as a community to identify the safety needs and strengths of our district and determine what additional steps need to occur to ensure all our children, staff, teachers and administrators are safe every day.
JoAnne Race
Personal information
Married to Bruce Race, a chemistry and physics teacher at Frankfort Schuyler High School. Three children, Cormac, 10th grade, Hannora, 8th grade and Cassia, 5th grade.
I grew up in the Town of Manlius, have lived in the greater Cazenovia area since 1998 and moved to E. Lake Road in Cazenovia in 2012.
Education
Master of Science, SUNY ESF; Bachelor of Science with Education minor, SUNY ESF and Syracuse University; NYS Teacher Certification, biology and general science, grades 7-12.
Professional experience
I am a Principal Education Specialist and worked at SUNY Upstate Medical University and Syracuse University for over 20 years.
Currently, at SUNY Upstate, I manage institution-wide special projects and two health education grants over $1.1 million. I am a member of two institutional accreditation steering committees and held roles in strategic planning and self-study working groups on innovation and change, the student learning experience, and curricular design and content.
Organizations/groups involved with
I volunteer in Cazenovia schools: I gave a lesson on climate change to fouth graders, have chaperoned field trips, worked concessions and coach youth soccer. I am a member of CazCTA, CNY Forest Owners Association, and St. James Church. I volunteer at the Upstate Golisano Children’s Hospital and McMahon/Ryan Child Advocacy Center.
Why are you running for school board?
I am running for school board to advocate for our children and our community. I’d like to give back to this caring Cazenovia community for all the support the community has given my family. I would like to engage all students in a community-centered way.
Why should people vote for you?
I believe strongly in public education, especially in Cazenovia CSD. I have a passion for and made a career in the field of education. I will bring objectivity and thoughtful consideration of impacts in best decisions for kids. I have experience building positive policies in education and will work collaboratively for solutions.
If elected, what would be your goals and priorities?
I will prioritize a safe learning environment and fiscal responsibility. I support a robust system of communication and community engagement. Goals include transparency, clearly defined governance and open deliberation of issues. Consideration of innovative opportunities with local resources are imperative to build partnerships in enrichment and career and technical training.
Top three issues the district faces and how would you address them?
Beyond safety, addressed below, current issues include maintaining high academic standards with declining population and resources, social emotional well-being for students, and providing new opportunities for students interested in career and technical training.
Potential elimination of ninth grade honors programs and scheduling changes are topics that could impact Cazenovia’s overall academic rigor and need careful consideration. I am in support of expansion of STEM opportunities, particularly into elementary grades.
The district is exploring plans for new models of counseling support for students, which I support. Cazenovia has very low participation in BOCES programming and alternatives should be considered.
How do you feel about the district’s current and planned procedures for maintaining and improving school safety and why?
I believe in a public health approach to school safety with a focus on prevention. The school safety forum provided an opportunity for parents, students and the community to give input on safety, and I support the important themes which emerged.
Maintenance and improvement of robust prevention programs with outcome measures are critical and I am open to additional initiatives, such as contracting with crisis intervention and counseling services for students or resource officers, if supported by the community and particularly if externally funded.
Anything else you would like to add?
The role of the school board is to govern the district, while ensuring responsiveness to values, beliefs and priorities of the community. I would like to improve processes to open dialogue. I will pursue input from the community and will approach all issues with an inquisitive, collaborative and open mind.
