Two candidates are running for three open Board of Education seats in the May 21 election. Board members are volunteers. All candidates run at-large. The individuals elected this year will serve a three-year term beginning July 1, 2019. The statements below are provided by the candidates.
Susan Dion
Susan Dion is seeking a first term on the board.
My interest in becoming a member of the Cohoes School District Board of Education is because I felt it was time to give back. This district and community afforded me a gratifying career for over 40 years; one I could not imagine having anywhere else. My daughter attended Harmony Hill Elementary School, Cohoes Middle School, and Cohoes High School. Not only did she receive a quality education, but she experienced a strong sense of community. I continue to be committed to a school community that offers our children the highest quality of education while maintaining that strong sense of community.
Mark Pascale
Mark Pascale is seeking a seventh term on the board.
I am grateful for the opportunity to continue my service on The Cohoes School Board, having served for 20 years. I have been involved in education most of my life, as a school counselor and current college advisor.
Education is crucially important and our students deserve nothing but our very best. I am proud of the instructional progress we have made but am most passionate about an increased emphasis on preparing our students for what comes next. I will continue to be a voice for a comprehensive Career Education Program with the goal of EVERY STUDENT graduating with a PURPOSE and a PLAN.
How will the third seat be filled?
Because there are only two candidates for three seats, the third seat will be filled by virtue of a write-in process. Once it’s determined who received the most write-in votes, the district will contact the winner, determine their eligibility to serve as a board member and ask if they want to serve.
The requirements to be a board member are:
- Must be able to read and write
- Must be a qualified voter of the district (which means, citizen, at least 18 years of age, not adjudged to be an incompetent)
- Must be and have been a resident of district for a period of one year immediately prior to election
- May not have been removed from any school district office within the preceding year
- May not reside with another member of the same school board as a member of the same family
- May not be an employee
- May not simultaneously hold another incompatible public office
If the write-in winner refuses, the seat can remain vacant until the 2020 election or the board can appoint someone to fill the seat.