Four candidates are running for three seats on the Board of Education.  The seven member board is made up of community volunteers who serve three-year terms. PTSA Candidates' Night will air on ICAT 15 at the following times: Tuesday and Thursday at 7:30 p.m.

Names will appear on the ballot in the following order as drawn by lottery.

Community Involvement: 1999-present, member Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development; 1997-present, member West Irondequoit Board of Education, Policy Board member WI Teaching/ Learning Center, WI Foundation Liaison, PTSA Liaison, Member Monroe County School Boards Association; 1994- 2005, member Rochester Association for the Education of Young Children (RAEYC), 1992-present, member West Irondequoit Central PTSA, 2009 PTSA Honorary Life Award, 1997 President Central PTA; 1992-96 at Listwood Elementary School, Co-Building Representative, Volunteer Coordinator, Co-Chair Family Event, Room Parent.

Family: Husband Bob Schultz; son Benjamin, IHS ‘05, currently senior at Cornell University. Residents of West Irondequoit since 1981.

Candidate Statement: I consider an education, especially at the high school level to be a critical building block to success in life. Being a product of a strong public education system, I saw the importance of this first hand. Consequently when I looked for opportunities give back to my community in a positive and meaningful way I was naturally drawn to the school system. I began slowly with volunteer opportunities at Listwood, my son’s elementary school. Then in the midst of a superintendent change in the late 90’s I again volunteered to be part of the search committee as a parent representative. As my experience and knowledge of the district grew I moved on to become the Central PTA president and eventually a member of the Board of Education. Now in my 12^th year of serving on the board I am still struck by the responsibility and weight of this position. The vision and expectations Board members provide collectively for the distinct helps to ensure each and every child reaches their full potential. It is both challenging and rewarding, especially in a community that focuses on continuous improvement and holds such high expectations for its youth. I can’t think of a more worthwhile way to invest my time.

Community Involvement: West Irondequoit Board of Education, 1997 to present, Board President since 2005, Vice President in 1999, 2000 and 2004, board liaison for at least one year to every school in the district and to the Helmer Nature Center, West Irondequoit Alumni Association, Central PTSA, and the West Irondequoit Foundation. My interests have focused on learning and achievement at all levels, budget and financial issues, passage and completion of the capital project and school community relations.

President of the Monroe County School Boards Association, 2006, member of the Executive, Steering, Legislative and Labor Relations Committees of that organization.

Class of 2006: Senior Party, Co-Chair, Junior After Hours Party, Co-Chair;

WICSD Superintendent Search Committee, 1996; WICSD Committee on Special Education, parent member, 1995–1996; WICPTSA Seneca School Building Chairperson 1995 & 1996, also a volunteer at numerous PTA functions and activities at all of the schools our children have attended; PASSN – Parent Advocates for Children with Special Needs – Active member of the parent group which advocates for children with special needs since 1995; Coach for Boys and Girls IAA baseball, softball and CYO basketball programs; Boy Scouts of America, Cub Scout Pack 220, Den Leader; St. Margaret Mary Church, finance committee member, Athletic Association President 1993/94; The Lewis St. Center, Board of Directors, 1984 – 1998; SEFA – State Employees Federated appeal (United Way) 7^th District Chair 1991 – 1993. Hobbies: reading, writing, being a sports spectator, not much time for anything else.

Family: Wife Laurie; son Geordan, IHS ’06; daughters Carly & Renee, IHS grade 12. Laurie and I have resided at our present address in West Irondequoit since August 1983.

Candidate Statement: In the 12 years I have served on the Board of education, I have continued to experience new challenges and work as part of our Board team to find new solutions, which ultimately benefit the children we serve.  As we face even more uncertain times with challenges we have never faced before, experience and leadership, will be critical skills for Board members to have.

Being a parent of three children who have now completed every grade, I have the perspective to help those who are just beginning. Instead of being complacent about my service, I strive to continue to listen to parents, students, faculty and staff at every level and in every building in the district. An example of this is my leadership as Board President in our current review of the District’s Drug and Alcohol policy and my urging to develop a better way for students to prepare for the SAT, which ultimately led to our successful Community Education approach.

I have been a part of and will continue to be an agent for continuous improvement, which is what I feel, is the best kind of change we can bring. I bring over 30 years of high level governmental experience, managing a process, which involves over 25,000 people every year. I continue to have a passion to serve this community through Board service and hope to continue and grow as our District and our students will.

Community Involvement: Current member (vocalist – tenor) of the Rochester Oratorio Society (volunteer community chorus that regularly performs with the RPO and other groups at The Eastman Theatre, Hochstein Performance Hall, local churches, and other local music venues); Teacher, New York State Motorcycle Safety Program courses at MCC Applied Technology Center as Motorcycle Safety Foundation Certified RiderCoach

Family: Theresa M. (Teri) Miner; Rielyn A. Miner, age 4, attending Southlawn 9/2009; Elora J. (Ellie) Miner, age 3

Candidate Statement: I believe the Board of Education is responsible for maintaining the highest standards of integrity at all levels of the school system. The school system is made of more than the students, faculty, staff, administrators, Board and buildings of the District – an effective school system needs to actively engage our parents, community, and local businesses in the process of educating our students to the highest standards, while emphasizing the core values of Community, Literacy, and Fiscal Accountability in all of our programs. I would very truly welcome the opportunity to serve our students and community in this fashion, and promise to maintain the highest standards of integrity while carrying out my service to you as a Board member.

Community Involvement: West Irondequoit Board of Education, 3 years; Board of Education liaison to the West Irondequoit Foundation, and Colebrook and Briarwood Schools; Manager for Girl’s Travel Soccer in Irondequoit

Family: Husband Jack Crowder; daughter Kali, IHS grade 12; twin daughters Kazimiera and Elizabeth, Dake Jr. High, grade 8

Candidate Statement: The experience and insight I have gained over these last three years as a board member will help me to continue to serve the district and our students more effectively. I would welcome the opportunity to work with the board and continue to support our district’s goals.