fbpx
  • Subscribe & Support
  • Sign up for Free Newsletter
  • Print Edition
    • Get Home Delivery
    • Read ePaper Online
    • Newsstand Locations
  • HV1 Magazines
  • Contact
    • Advertise
    • Customer Support
    • Submit A News Tip
    • Where’s My Paper?
  • Manage HV1 Account
  • Free HV1 Trial
  • Movie Night Gift Subscription
Hudson Valley One
  • News
    • Schools
    • Business
    • Sports
    • Crime
    • Politics & Government
  • What’s Happening
    • Calendar Of Events
    • Featured Events
      • Art
      • Books
      • Kids
      • Lifestyle & Wellness
      • Food & Drink
      • Music
      • Nature
      • Stage & Screen
  • Opinions
    • Letters
    • Columns
    • Editorials
  • Local
    • Special Sections
    • Local History
  • Marketplace
    • All Classified Ads
    • Help Wanted
    • Post a Classified Ad
  • Obituaries
  • Podcast
  • Log In
No Result
View All Result
  • News
    • Schools
    • Business
    • Sports
    • Crime
    • Politics & Government
  • What’s Happening
    • Calendar Of Events
    • Featured Events
      • Art
      • Books
      • Kids
      • Lifestyle & Wellness
      • Food & Drink
      • Music
      • Nature
      • Stage & Screen
  • Opinions
    • Letters
    • Columns
    • Editorials
  • Local
    • Special Sections
    • Local History
  • Marketplace
    • All Classified Ads
    • Help Wanted
    • Post a Classified Ad
  • Obituaries
  • Podcast
  • Log In
No Result
View All Result
Hudson Valley One
No Result
View All Result

Three run unopposed for School Board in New Paltz

by Mike Townshend
April 14, 2016
in Education
0
Michael O’Donnell, Brian Cournoyer and Alison Easton.
Michael O’Donnell, Brian Cournoyer and Alison Easton.

New Paltz Central School District voters will see three candidates on the ballot May 19. Brian Cournoyer, the Board of Education president, is running with two newcomers — Alison Easton and Michael O’Donnell.

All three are running for three vacant seats with terms ending in 2018. They’re running unopposed, unless a challenger can mount a successful write-in campaign.

Here is what the three candidates had to say about why they decided to run.

 

Alison Easton

Alison Easton first moved to New Paltz from Vermont back in 2001 with her husband. She’s a chemical engineer and former IBMer who has volunteered locally with the PTA and Boy Scouts. Easton has two kids in the district — one in kindergarten and one at the middle school.

 

Why did you decide to run for the New Paltz school board?

Having spent many hours within the elementary schools — as well as having two children far apart in ages — I have directly seen the impacts of state policy and budgetary stresses on our school system. As someone who was a beneficiary of an excellent public education, I want my own children, as well as the children of the community, to equally benefit. I want to help ensure that can happen.

 

What skills, experiences or qualifications do you have that make you believe you would make a competent member of the board?

I have spent several years on the board of the Duzine-Lenape PTA. I also have several years’ experience working as both a manager and project manager.

I personally understand the work and patience required to navigate diverse opinions, regulation and build consensus.

The changes that are coming down from the state require that everyone be invested, as well as be willing to do the homework to understand the impact these changes will have. I’ve navigated many situations like this both professionally and as a volunteer.

 

What do you see as the top three challenges facing the New Paltz Central School District?

I believe the top challenge facing the New Paltz School District is budgetary, as unfunded mandates continue to come from the state while state funding is stagnant despite rising costs.

As a parent and a taxpayer, it has been extremely frustrating to see the continual cut of programming and teachers while property taxes continue to rise, as the tax burden has shifted to local homeowners.

The other top challenges the school district has is managing the impact of high-stakes testing and Common Core on both the children and the teachers.

While I do strongly believe that as a district we can always improve, I do not believe that the implementation of high-stakes testing is helping drive the improvements in education our community or country needs despite its best intentions.

The school district does not exist in a vacuum, and one of the most important things I believe the board can do is clearly articulate the impact state budgetary and policy decisions are having on the education of our children in order that we, as parents and citizens, can demand change.

 

If elected, what would be your top three priorities?

If elected, my first priority would be to work with the current board members on oversight of the recently approved capital project. The board and district has been entrusted with funds to help upgrade the school systems, and it has to be a priority to ensure the work happens as seamlessly as possible.

My second priority would be to preserve as much diversity as possible in our education system. There are many types of children with whom the district is entrusted to teach, and diversity of programming ensures not only a well-rounded education but that programs exist where each child can be successful.

The third priority would be continuing the work the current board has in understanding and combatting the impact high-stakes testing is having on our school districts, students and teachers.

 

Brian Cournoyer

During his three years on the Board of Education, Brian Cournoyer has served on the district’s Policy Committee and Legislative Action Committee. He became school board president last year, leading the board during the build-up to the $52.9 million capital improvement vote.

Cournoyer has lived in New Paltz for 13 years, works at Dutchess Beer Distributors, and he has a son attending Wappingers Junior High School and a step-daughter at New Paltz Middle School.

 

Why did you decide to run for the New Paltz school board again?

Schools are our most important public service. I’ve found the past three years to be very challenging, but also very rewarding. I’ve gotten to work with some really bright, hardworking people and learned a lot about the way a school district is run.

There’s a very steep learning curve here. I’m coming to the end of my first term, and I feel like I’m just finally getting conversant with everything. I think we’ve done a lot of good things, and this is something I want to keep being a part of. It’s fulfilling work, and I’m giving back to my community. Hopefully, people think I’ve done a good job in the last three years. Even though we’re three people running for three seats, I don’t take the public’s support for granted, and I hope I’ve earned it.

 

Page 1 of 3
123Next
Join the family! Grab a free month of HV1 from the folks who have brought you substantive local news since 1972. We made it 50 years thanks to support from readers like you. Help us keep real journalism alive.
- Geddy Sveikauskas, Publisher
Previous Post

WiFi or not WiFi

Next Post

Sawyer Legends: Randy Nilsen

Mike Townshend

Related Posts

Kingston students head back to school next week
Crime

School “swatting” strikes Kingston High as police issue statewide advisory

March 31, 2023
Trump’s taking back trans kids’ protections won’t change local approach
Education

Saugerties School District works to overcome small budget deficit

March 29, 2023
What do the results of an equity and climate culture survey mean for Kingston City Schools?
Education

What do the results of an equity and climate culture survey mean for Kingston City Schools?

March 29, 2023
Onteora High School students participate in Harvard Model Congress
Education

Onteora High School students participate in Harvard Model Congress

March 30, 2023
Meet newly appointed District Superintendent of Ulster BOCES Jonah Schenker
Education

Meet newly appointed District Superintendent of Ulster BOCES Jonah Schenker

March 28, 2023
Turning the Covid corner
Education

School districts need to spend wisely and quickly before the money runs out

March 20, 2023
Next Post

Sawyer Legends: Randy Nilsen

Trending News

  • After months of speculation, Uptown Kingston’s Market Basket reopens for business 1.7k views
  • School “swatting” strikes Kingston High as police issue statewide advisory 1.5k views
  • Students sent to hospital after Rosendale crash involving school bus 1.3k views
  • Stony Run deal passes, not everyone is celebrating 1k views
  • Best barbecue in the Hudson Valley? Native Arkansawyer brings smoking skills to area’s hottest bars 689 views
  • New Paltz Planning Board considers proposal for feline-themed café 645 views

Weather

Kingston
◉
43°
Cloudy
6:38 am7:21 pm EDT
Feels like: 43°F
Wind: 0mph NNW
Humidity: 99%
Pressure: 29.54"Hg
UV index: 0
SunMonTue
48/27°F
61/41°F
64/45°F
Weather forecast Kingston, New York ▸

Subscribe

Independent. Local. Substantive. Subscribe now.

  • Subscribe & Support
  • Sign up for Free Newsletter
  • Print Edition
  • HV1 Magazines
  • Contact
  • Manage HV1 Account
  • Free HV1 Trial
  • Movie Night Gift Subscription

© 2022 Ulster Publishing

No Result
View All Result
  • News
    • Schools
    • Business
    • Sports
    • Crime
    • Politics & Government
  • What’s Happening
    • Calendar Of Events
    • Featured Events
      • Art
      • Books
      • Kids
      • Lifestyle & Wellness
      • Food & Drink
      • Music
      • Nature
      • Stage & Screen
  • Opinions
    • Letters
    • Columns
    • Editorials
  • Local
    • Special Sections
    • Local History
  • Marketplace
    • All Classified Ads
    • Help Wanted
    • Post a Classified Ad
  • Obituaries
  • Podcast
  • Subscribe & Support
  • Contact Us
    • Customer Support
    • Advertise
    • Submit A News Tip
  • Print Edition
    • Read ePaper Online
    • Newsstand Locations
    • Where’s My Paper
  • HV1 Magazines
  • Manage HV1 Account
  • Log In
  • Free HV1 Trial

© 2022 Ulster Publishing