Note: Deadline to submit petitions for Board of Education candidacy is Monday, April 21, 2025 by 5 p.m.

Introduction

• To elect three members to the Board of Education, as follows: three members for three-year terms, commencing July 1, 2025 through June 30, 2028, created by the expiration of the terms of office of Joseph Flaherty, William Cooper and Vanessa Wight.

• A drawing to determine the order of the candidates’ names on the ballot will take place in the central administration office on Tuesday, April 22, 2025 at 9 a.m.  You are invited to attend this drawing in person or by proxy; however, attendance is not required. If you or your proxy are not in attendance, I will make the drawing for you. The election will be held on May 20, 2025 during the hours of 6 a.m. to 9 p.m.

• Candidates: Be advised that current board meetings begin at 6:30 p.m., however, future meetings may begin at an earlier time. Please be sure that your schedule allows for this change should it take place. 

Additional details

• Petitions for nominating candidates for the office of member of board of education must be filed with the clerk of the district by Monday, April 21, 2025.

• Vacancies on the Board of Education are not considered specific offices.
  Candidates run at large.

• Nominating petitions must be signed by qualified voters of the district, shall state the name and residence of each signer and the name and residence address of the candidate.

• Nominating petitions with information about disclosure of expenditures by board candidates are available to be picked up from the district clerk’s office from  8 a.m. to 3 p.m. on days when school is in session.

Board candidate eligibility requirements

• Must be able to read and write.

• Must be a qualified voter of the district. A member does not necessarily have to be a taxpayer, but must be a district resident for a period of at least one year prior to the election.

• No more than one member of an immediate family may serve as a member of the board of education at one time.

• May not be a current employee of the school district.

• May not simultaneously hold another incompatible public office.

• May not have been removed from any school district office within the preceding year.

Requirements for all newly elected Board of Education members

For any school board of education member appointed to a term beginning on or after July 1, 2005, New York State now requires them to complete, within one year, at least six hours of training in financial oversight, accountability, and fiduciary responsibilities. The areas covered are:

• School district finances: Roles and responsibilities

• Revenue sources and the budget process

• Building school district fiscal fitness

• Monitoring district fiscal fitness

• Preventing fraud, waste, and abuse of district resources.

In addition to the above, beginning on or after July 1, 2011, New York State also requires any newly elected board members to complete, within the first year of service, training that will acquaint them with the powers, functions and duties of boards of education, as well as the powers and duties of other governing and administrative authorities affecting public education, with consideration given to the board of education role in educating all students, encouraging the attainment of a higher level of student achievement, and ensuring that students have the opportunity to achieve an education that prepares them to succeed in college or career.

The district will forward any information received regarding upcoming training that has been approved by the commissioner of education in consultation with the comptroller.

Expenditure statements

There is an expenditure form that needs to be completed and returned to Dawn Molnar, District Clerk, on or before each of the following dates: April 21, May 15, and June 9, 2025.

Note: Even if you haven’t spent any money up to the required date, you must submit a form.

Dawn Molnar, District Clerk
Phone: 845-355-5115
Email: dmolnar@minisink.com

Forms
Prospective Board of Education Candidate Packet

Useful links:

• OCSBA to hold annual 'Workshop for Prospective Board Members' on March 25 and 29

• To learn more about becoming a Board of Education member: The School Board Member Experience

• Board of Education meeting agendas and minutes are available on BoardDocs.