
On Tuesday, Could 16, voters throughout New York State will head to the polls of their respective faculty districts to solid votes for 2023-24 budgets, and in some instances different poll initiatives. They may also vote for candidates to fill opens seats on Boards of Schooling.
There are three open seats on the Saugerties Central Faculty District Board of Schooling, with just one incumbent operating for re-election, alongside 4 challengers

Jeffrey Riozzi
Occupation:
Technique Advisor — IBM Consulting
Why did you resolve to run for Faculty Board
Having been born, raised and lived the vast majority of my life in Saugerties, I’ve been lucky to benefit from what our group and faculty district has supplied. I’m at some extent in my life the place I may give again and consider my monetary and consulting background can be an asset to the board.
How do you see the function of the Faculty Board?
On the core, I see the function of the board as guaranteeing that the district is being aware of and assembly the wants of our college students and oldsters.
What are probably the most urgent points going through the college district immediately?
1. Psychological well being — As with society as a complete, this concern continues to develop and have an effect on a higher portion of the coed physique. The district must act accordingly and put actual, significant, packages in place to help these in want. If not addressed, the drain on assets, each from a personnel and monetary perspective, can have a detrimental impression throughout our total scholar inhabitants.
2. Monetary administration — Saugerties is at an inflection level from a price range perspective with reference to state funding, our capital packages and reserves. Making use of the required fiduciary due diligence and administration now might enable us to enhance the general monetary image of the district.
3. Management — choosing the correct particular person to information our district would be the key consider figuring out the success of our district for the foreseeable future.

Andrea Viviani
Occupation:
Spanish Instructor
Why did you resolve to run for Faculty Board?
I needed the chance to supply each the mother or father and instructor perspective to the college district. A seat on the desk as a single mom of three kids within the district who additionally taught within the district provides me a singular viewpoint that will assist the district and the group strengthen their cooperative relationship.
How do you see the function of the Faculty Board?
The Faculty Board is an asset to the district. One that’s meant to supply checks and balances, supply assist and encourage a progressive mindset.
What are probably the most urgent points going through the college district immediately?
Fiscal accountability and faculty group partnership are very important to the success of the college. Nevertheless, probably the most urgent points for me are on the constructing degree. Offering a powerful Character Schooling Program on the elementary degree(to assist SEL wants publish COVID), strengthening our studying packages and offering enrichment alternatives in the course of the faculty day to our college students are just a few of my most urgent issues.

Ashley R. Sanders, P.E.
Occupation:
Civil engineer and building supervisor
Why did you resolve to run for Faculty Board?
My household has at all times believed in group service and I can not consider a higher place to volunteer than in what I take into account to be the place that opens doorways to kids and supplies alternatives for his or her future.
How do you see the function of the Faculty Board?
The function of the Faculty Board is one which ensures that insurance policies meet all of the wants of all of the stakeholders and are constructed in such a means that there are clear steps to the purpose of each coverage.
What are probably the most urgent points going through the college district immediately?
Essentially the most urgent points immediately are the allocation of funds, the power of making an environment of positivity and compromise, addressing the growing variety of wants in a district and lastly approving probably the most extremely certified folks for the essential jobs in training.
Carole Kelder
Occupation:
Elementary faculty principal
Why did you resolve to run for Faculty Board?
I’ve cherished my profession in training, and though I’ve determined to retire to spend time with my household, I really feel that I can proceed to do what I really like by serving my group as a member of the Board of Schooling.
How do you see the function of the Faculty Board
The function of a Faculty Board is to make use of and consider a superintendent, work collaboratively with district administration to evaluation and set insurance policies which can be equitable, approve curriculum and submit a fiscally accountable price range for public approval.
What are probably the most urgent points going through the college district immediately?
I feel probably the most urgent points that we face are the rise within the social-emotional wants of our college students, recognizing the impression they’ve on teachers and implementing programming or assist methods that deal with them.

Timothy Wells (incumbent)
Occupation:
Territory Supervisor for A Montano Firm
Why did you resolve to run for reelection to the Faculty Board
I really feel that there’s nonetheless quite a bit to do right here. There have been some vital adjustments throughout my first time period. I wish to make certain we see them by means of.
The training curve for a brand new board member is steep. Given the problems the district and group face and the data I’ve gained over the previous three years, I’m ready to sort out the problems at hand, assembly the wants of this district and group in these difficult occasions.
How do you see the function of the Faculty Board?
The Faculty Board is meant to be the eyes and ears of the group. We have to actively pay attention and reply to scholar, mother or father, and college want. Concurrently, a board member have to be cognizant of the monetary well being of the district whereas making selections that have an effect on this group.
What are probably the most urgent points going through the college district immediately
What’s the psychological well being of our college students? The COVID pandemic took a toll on our group. We have to proceed to maintain that on the forefront of our minds whereas shifting ahead.
Given the current departure of our superintendent, it’s crucial that the board chooses the proper candidate to guide our district. We’d like a transparent imaginative and prescient, one which makes the district stronger and offers our college students higher alternative for achievement not solely within the classroom however past
Saugerties Central Faculty District price range
The Saugerties Central Faculty District’s (SCSD) proposed price range for the 2023-24 faculty 12 months is $71,192,559, a rise of $4,765,843, or 7.17 %, over the 2022-23 spending plan. The spending plan would include a tax levy enhance of three.96 %, the utmost allowed by the state for the district to have the ability to cross with a easy majority.
By way of each {dollars} and percentages, the district will see the best enhance in its debt service line, which can leap by 152.88 % to $2,502,719. Debt service consists of an Ulster BOCES capital undertaking, with principal and curiosity on a bond anticipation notice due for a July 2023 fee.
Different anticipated will increase in expenditures embody sports activities and co-curriculars (26.78 % enhance to $770,813); services, safety and central providers (11.97 % enhance to $3,841,269); expertise (9.42 % enhance to $1,605,462); transportation (9.04 % enhance to $5,535,280); instruction, together with salaries (4.49 % to $34,553,763); BOCES administration and capital initiatives (4.15 % to $948,014); Board of Schooling and central administration (3.98 % to $1,879,780) and advantages (2.49 % to $19,130,459).
In an effort to make up a spot of $419,474, the district will use $278,110 in fund stability, $25,000 in unemployment reserve and $116,364 in ERS (worker retirement system) reserve.
Essentially the most up-to-date price range info as of press time might be discovered at: go.boarddocs.com/ny/saugerties/Board.nsf/information/CQZRG36DD061/$file/2023-24percent20Proposedpercent20Budget.pdf
Polls will probably be open in any respect three of the district’s elementary faculties on Tuesday, Could 16 from 6 a.m. till 9 p.m.
Candidates’ discussion board Could 10
A candidates’ discussion board for Saugerties Central Faculty Board candidates will probably be held on Wednesday, Could 10 on the Media Heart at Saugerties Excessive Faculty on Washington Avenue.
The discussion board is being offered by the Mid-Hudson Area League of Ladies Voters.
The publish 5 vie for 3 seats on Saugerties Faculty Board first appeared on Hudson Valley One.