Selection Committee Seeks Two Candidates for School Board

Marsico Opts for Second Term; Board President Levere Will Step Down

by Joan R. Simon

(February 28, 2008) The Committee for the Selection of School Board Nominees (known as the Selection Committee) is looking for candidates to fill two Mamaroneck School Board trustee positions that will expire in June. Board President Amy Levere will be stepping down after six years of service, but Rick Marsico will seek a second 3-year term.

Since its inception in 1945, the Selection Committee has evaluated and recommended candidates for the Mamaroneck School Board. Candidates seeking the Selection Committee’s support are required to fill out an application which can be found on the committee’s website under “Membership Information.” A final question on this year’s form indicates some of the issues the committee feels are at the top of the school board’s agenda: curriculum, finances, and communication between teachers, administrators and parents.

The Selection Committee has never endorsed more candidates than the number of positions open, although their bylaws do not preclude doing so. The committee typically, but not always, endorses first term candidates who are seeking re-election.The deadline for receiving completed applications is March 15, 2008.

Rick Marsico Seeks Second Term

Rick Marsico, a professor at New York Law School, will be seeking the Selection Committee’s endorsement for one of the two open spots. “I’ve learned a lot and I’ve gained a lot of experience and the community can benefit from someone who’s been on for 3 years,” he said, describing why he decided to run for a second term. He added, “I’ve been deeply involved with the bond and the fields and I’d like to see those projects go through.” Mr. Marsico has been the board’s liaison to the building committee, whose 5-year capital plan is the basis for the bond that now is being discussed. (See:Mam'k School Board Closing in On Major Bond Decision.) He has also been on the subcommittee evaluating plans for renovating fields at Mamaroneck High School and Central School.

A Selection Committee endorsement is not required for school board candidates. All potential candidates, whether or not they are endorsed by the Selection Committee, are required to file a petition with the district clerk in the superintendent’s office. This year each candidate will need to obtain 55 signatures (2% of the number of voters in last May’s school election). The filing deadline is 5:00 pm on Monday, April 21.
By law, a potential candidate must be a U.S. citizen, able to read and write and a resident of the Larchmont-Mamaroneck community for at least one year prior to the election date, which is Tuesday, May 20. In addition, a candidate cannot be an employee of the school district.

Selection Committee Needs New Members

The Selection Committee, which describes itself as an independent, non-partisan and self-funded organization, is elected by the community on the same day as the budget and trustee vote in May. The committee consists of 24 members, six from each of the four elementary school districts, serving staggered 3-year terms. Two seats from each area are voted on every year, adding eight new members annually. Candidates must be registered voters. Applications can be found on the Selection Committee website. The deadline is April 18.

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