3
Southern Ulster Times, Wednesday, July 3, 2019
Marlboro welcomes new school board members
By MARK REYNOLDS
[email protected]
On July 1 the Marlboro School Board
held their first meeting of the 2019-20
school year. Two new board members
were sworn in for three year terms;
JoAnn Reed reclaimed her seat at the
May budget vote with 591 votes, having
lost in the previous cycle, and newcomer
Karen Brooks won her seat on the board
with 457 votes.
When running for the board, Reed
promised to closely watch the fiscal
bottom line and would hold the district
responsible to the taxpayers and the
business owners. Reed said women,
“bring an equal voice to the table. As
taxpayers we should have an equal say.”
She went on to add that sitting on the
school board is not simply about showing
up twice a month for a meeting, but it is
about supporting the students, the staff
and the community.
Brooks promised to work as a team
player on the board. She said she ran
for the board in order to give back to her
community where she has lived for the
past 36 years.
Brooks said it is critically important
that the school board provide the students
with, “critical thinking skills and the
learning opportunities in order for them
to compete in the global job market they
are going to be working in and to become
productive and successful members of
our society.”
At the end of this first board meeting,
Brooks said, “I am looking forward to
the process, working to help better meet
the students needs, looking at policies,
looking at fiscal responsibility and
helping to offer more programs for the
kids.”
Reed is looking forward to coming back
and getting involved, “with our students,
our teachers and our community and
being there supporting them. I am
looking forward to this year; I’m a little
nervous too, coming back because there
are always new challenges with that.”
Reed referenced the Vision 2020 project
that was approved by voters last May,
“and I am proud to be part of that.”
The School Board also voted to keep
Frank Milazzo as their President and
Susan Horton as Vice President.
The Board unanimously approved six
new teachers; Harrison Colandrea has
certifications in Earth Science grades
5-9 and also 7-12. He holds a BA in
Geology from SUNY New Paltz, a Masters
Degree also in Geology from Idaho State
Three (of six) new teachers were appointed at Monday night’s Marlboro School Board. L-R
William Besimer, Andrew Mayce and Brittany Toapha.
University and a Masters Degree in Earth
Science from Empire State College. He
will be teaching at the Middle School at a
salary of $58,410.
Andrew Mayce is joining the Music
Department at the Middle School at
a salary of $58,410. He is a k-12 music
certified teacher and holds BA and
Masters degrees in Music Education from
SUNY Fredonia.
Brittany Toapha is Elementary
certified from birth through grade 2;
Childhood Education grades 1-6; Students
with disabilities grades 1 through 6 and
Remedial Reading through grade 6. She
has a BA in Early Childhood and Childhood
Education from SUNY Fredonia and a
Masters Degree in Literacy and Special
Education from SUNY New Paltz. She will
be teaching at the Elementary School at a
salary of $58,410.
William Besimer is a Physical
Education k-12 certified teacher and will
be teaching at the Elementary School. He
earned his BA in Physical Education from
SUNY Brockport and a Masters Degree
in Sports Management and Athletic
Administration from the Southern New
Hampshire University. He will be a .4 level
teacher on prorated salary of $58,410.
Eric Baulsir was unable to attend the
board meeting, but has been working in
the district for two years as a part-time
Social Studies teacher and will be full-
time starting this fall. He holds a BA
in History/Social Studies from Sienna
College and will be paid $62,708.
Karleigh Kowalski, who also was unable
to attend, holds certification in Childhood
Education grades 1-6 and earned her BA
in Elementary and Special Education
from Syracuse University. She will be
teaching at the Elementary School with a
salary of $58,006.
Superintendent Michael Brooks is
pleased with the official start of a new
school year.
“We’re kicked off to continue moving
forward,” he said. “We’ve got a great
group of people that lead the district, a
great team of individuals collectively and
everybody brings a lot to the table. We’re
poised for another great year.”
Marlborough to host
Friday Night Concerts
JoAnn Reed (L) and Karen Brooks were sworn in as members of the Marlboro School Board on
Monday evening.
The Town of Marlborough is
hosting a series of free concerts
every Friday evening in July at 7:30
p.m. at the Cluett Schantz Park. The
series kicks off on July 5 with a soul
rock night with the Nellybombs and
the Jason Gisser Band.
On July 12 there is a R&B night
starring the Drizzle and Soul Purpose;
on July 19 a classic metal night gets
underway with Rapture and Bloated
Toad and the series concludes on
July 26 with an evening of country
music with Lucky House and David
Kraal & the Saddle Tramps.