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Election 2006 for Members of the Committee for the Selection of School Board Nominees for the Mamaroneck District

The following information was supplied by the Selection Committee.

Since its inception in 1945, the Selection Committee has served the community by identifying and recommending candidates deemed highly qualified to serve on the Mamaroneck School Board. This independent, non-partisan and self-funded organization is made up of 24 private citizens who are elected representatives from each of the four elementary school districts.


Below are the candidates who ran for the open seats on the Selection Committee. There were no contested races.

Central

Kimberly Larsen
Karen Spiridellis

 
Chatsworth Avenue

Lawrence B. Charny
Lisa Lipman
John Steigerwald

Mamaroneck Avenue

Margaret Cook
Donna Samuel

Murray Avenue

Jose A. Reynoso
Joy Zelin

Kimberly Larsen

larsen

Background:

  • Colgate University – BA
  • Columbia University , MBA
  • IBM Corporation
  • NYNEX Long Distance
  • US West Communications
  • Junior League of Westchester on the Sound (President 2005-06)
  • Board of the Friends of the Larchmont Public Library (Secretary 2005)
  • Central School PTA (Committee Chair 2004-present)
  • Neighborhood Association (Co-President 2002-05)
  • Larchmont Avenue Church Deacon 2000-03

Statement:

I am committed to being an active and contributing member of my community. Since the Mamaroneck School Board makes important decisions that affect the quality of our school community, I would like to apply my energy to helping find the most highly–qualified candidates for the BOE.

 
Lawrence B. Charny
charny

Background:

  • New York University – MA Educational Administration
  • New School – MA Communications and Media Studies
  • NYC DOE Special Projects Director – Medicaid Audit Unit
  • ARI of Connecticut – Director of Clinical, Medical and Educational Services
  • CUNY – Center for Workers Education- Adjunct Professor, Special Education.
  • Parent/Principal Advisory Committee –Hommocks

Statement:

My daughter has received her entire public school education in the Mamaroneck school system. Each year of that academic and emotional journey has been filled with growth and pleasure. I would like to serve on the Selection Committee as a way of contributing to the continued excellence of this community’s educational establishment.

Margaret Cook

cook

Background:
  • SUNY Oneonta
  • Queens College, Flushing, New York
  • Legal Assistant/Office Manager @ NYC Law Firm
  • Aide with Pre-K Eco Kids
  • Pre-K P.A.C. Committee Chair
  • Mamaroneck Avenue Silent Auction

Statement:

After having teachers in our home and working with teachers to enhance our children’s education, I feel this would be a wonderful and fulfilling commitment on my part to further enhance the community’s children’s future and to be involved further in our children’s education.

 

 
Jose A. Reynoso

Reynoso

Background:

  • B.S Cornell University (Industrial and Labor Relations)
  • J.D., LL.M ( NYU School of Law (Taxation)
  • Vice President, Wealth Advisory Group, The Bank of New York
  • Member, Larchmont Garden Civic Association
  • Participant, Parents Functions ant the Larchmont Temple Nursery School

Statement:

My wife and I moved to Larchmont in 2002 for many important reasons. One main reason was the quality of the schools and the commitment that the community has to the education of our children. We have two children who will be attending Murray Avenue school soon. I see a position on the Selection Committee as an excellent way to be involved in our children’s education. I whole-heartedly support and believe in the mission of the Selection Committee and the way it has a real impact on our schools. We care deeply about the education of our children and were raised in households that place an extremely high value on education. I intend d to continue to be very involved in the education of my children and if elected to the Selection Committee I hope to have a positive impact.

Karen Spiridellis
spiridellis

Background:

  • San Diego State University – BA
  • Burson-Marsteller, Public Relations
  • Brodeur & Partners, Public Relations
  • Kidder Peabody Asset Management
  • Mamaroneck Community Nursery School Board of Directors: Facilities Coordinator (2003-04), Co-President (2004-Present)
  • Central School PTA member
  • Classroom Representative
  • Junior League Westchester on the Sound

Statement:

It’s important to me for the children in our community to have the best education and school experience possible,. This position would allow me to be directly involved in realizing that goal.

 

 
Lisa Lipman
lipman

Statement:

Members of the BOE face serious and complex issues as they represent the best interests of the students and their families in our schools. Over the last six years, I have attended Board Meetings to watch and question, the Board during its budget deliberations and have seen the Board engage in thoughtful and sophisticated discussion of nuanced issues. I have been impressed by the level of discourse and the level of civility among Board members and in their interactions with members of the administration and the community.

My work as an employment lawyer and as a former elementary school teacher, and being a parent of two school aged children has provided me with exposure to many perspectives on the issues encountered by the Board.

I would consider it an honor to contribute to the process of maintaining a thoughtful, high level BOE by being a member of the Selection Committee.

Donna Samuel

samuel

Background:

  • SUNY New Paltz - B.S. Elementary Education
  • CUNY Hunter University – MS Elementary Education and Reading Specialist
  • NYC Department of Education – 19 years PS 13, Elmhurst, queens Reading Specialist
  • Executive PTA Board 1999-2001
  • VP Fundraising Mamaroneck Avenue School

Statement:

The school system is the center of a community. I love our town and our schools. I am happy to have a turn in making our town and schools continue to be great by helping to find talented, qualified people to serve on our Community’s Board of Education.

 

 

 
Joy Zelin

photo unavailable

Background:

  • SUNY Buffalo
  • Accountant Executive, A.C & R Advertising, Grey Advertising
  • PTA After School Clubs: Hommock’s Year book, Grade Level Rep-Nominating Committee

Statement:

Being involved in Murray Avenue and the Hommocks in numerous areas has brought to light strengths and weaknesses in our schools. I feel my experience would be valuable in evaluating candidates for the Board of Education. Additionally, after volunteering in the district for the past ten years, I know many hard working people who could be considered for positions on the BOE.

I would consider it an honor and privilege to help recommend and/or introduce candidates to the community, It’s how we give back and watch our district grow.

 

 
John Steigerwald
photo unavailable

Background:

  • University of Maryland – BA Economics
  • Financial Advisor, Sr. Mortgage Banker, fidelity and Trust Mortgage
  • Member of Sound Shore Medical Center Friends Board
  • Member of Mamaroneck Schools Foundation Advisory Board
  • Fundraiser for Various Non-profit Organizations through Ironman Triathlon

Statement:

I would like to serve on the Selection Committee in order to serve the community; education is very important to me. I would like to help make our schools even better than they are. I can use my skills as an effective fundraiser, planner and as a well organized person to good use. I am aware of key issues regarding our schools and would like to work to expand health and athletic programs.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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IMPORTANT FACTS ABOUT SELECTION COMMITTEE MEMBERS:

  • They are residents of a local elementary school district

  • They are voters in the school district

  • They are elected by the voters in the elementary school district they
    reside and represent (the committee is made up of 24 members, 6 from each of the 4 elementary school districts)

  • They fund the committee through annual dues (last year, $40) that goes mostly for communications, fliers, election expenses.

  • They serve one 3-year term

  • They attend monthly meetings

  • They educate themselves on educational issues affecting the school
    district

  • They network and outreach into the community searching for qualified
    candidates for the school board