Candidate Information
Four NECSD Candidates Vie for Vacancies in Upcoming Election
On Tues., May 19, 2009, the Newburgh Enlarged City School District residents will vote for three of four candidates to fill vacancies on the NECSD’s Board of Education. This year the four candidates are incumbents Runston T. Lewis and Pamela R. Resch, and local residents Nathan F. Vesely and John N. Giudice.
Runston T. Lewis, the current Board of Education President, has been a member of the NECSD’s Board of Education for 19 years and has served as President for 13 years. Lewis, who has lived in Newburgh and Vails Gate for the past 60 years, attended schools in the NECSD while participating in the CWA’s (now Glenn Hines Boys and Girls Club) sports programs. According to Lewis, he earned his Associate’s Degree from Dutchess Community College and his Bachelor of Science Degree from SUNY New Paltz. Eager to learn more, Lewis went on to receive his Masters in Social Work from Fordham University.
After serving for three years in the US Army as a paratrooper, he returned to the area to settle with his wife and raise their three children. Lewis worked for three years at Mastic Tile Corporation in Newburgh, served five years on the City of Newburgh Police Department and went to work with the New York State Department of Social Welfare. In addition to being an entrepreneur in the City of Newburgh over the years, Lewis is a member of numerous civic organizations. Lewis is a strong believer in public education and is firmly convinced that with involvement from parents and the entire community, all children will receive a quality education and become productive members of our community. In addition, he feels that with joint commitment and involvement, the school environment will be safe for children, teachers, and staff alike.
This year’s other incumbent Pamela R. Resch, if re-elected, will be starting her third term on the school board. According to Resch, she has been a resident of the area for 21 years and is involved in numerous community groups and organizations such as Safe Homes and the Food Bank of the Hudson Valley. She currently has two children attending Newburgh Free Academy and has two older children that are college graduates who are also products of the NECSD. Her family background includes a family of educators with her father, brother, and daughter all being involved in education. Resch explained that she attended college to pursue a degree in education, but eventually began her business Pamela’s on the Hudson instead. As Executive Chef and Owner, Resch has also been the recipient of numerous community awards of the years thanks to her work with local organizations.
Nathan F. Vesely, a 5th generation Newburgh resident, is a graduate of the NECSD school system. After working for the NECSD for 18 years, he was forced to retire because of a disability. Vesley spent a year and a half involved with CSEA Local 836 as 1st VP and Executive VP. According to Vesely, he comes from a union oriented family. His father, who recently passed away, was Executive VP of IBEW Local #2218 for Central Hudson. His grandfather was employed by the NECSD and his mother is currently still on the job with the NECSD after 25 years or service. Vesely is a graduate of SUNY Delhi and Cornell University and majored in Entomology.
John N. Giudice a former Newburgh City Council Member and mayoral candidate is currently employed by the City of Newburgh Water Department. According to Giudice, his major goal if elected is to try and stabilize taxes and help alleviate the burden on area homeowners.
Runston T. Lewis, the current Board of Education President, has been a member of the NECSD’s Board of Education for 19 years and has served as President for 13 years. Lewis, who has lived in Newburgh and Vails Gate for the past 60 years, attended schools in the NECSD while participating in the CWA’s (now Glenn Hines Boys and Girls Club) sports programs. According to Lewis, he earned his Associate’s Degree from Dutchess Community College and his Bachelor of Science Degree from SUNY New Paltz. Eager to learn more, Lewis went on to receive his Masters in Social Work from Fordham University.
After serving for three years in the US Army as a paratrooper, he returned to the area to settle with his wife and raise their three children. Lewis worked for three years at Mastic Tile Corporation in Newburgh, served five years on the City of Newburgh Police Department and went to work with the New York State Department of Social Welfare. In addition to being an entrepreneur in the City of Newburgh over the years, Lewis is a member of numerous civic organizations. Lewis is a strong believer in public education and is firmly convinced that with involvement from parents and the entire community, all children will receive a quality education and become productive members of our community. In addition, he feels that with joint commitment and involvement, the school environment will be safe for children, teachers, and staff alike.
This year’s other incumbent Pamela R. Resch, if re-elected, will be starting her third term on the school board. According to Resch, she has been a resident of the area for 21 years and is involved in numerous community groups and organizations such as Safe Homes and the Food Bank of the Hudson Valley. She currently has two children attending Newburgh Free Academy and has two older children that are college graduates who are also products of the NECSD. Her family background includes a family of educators with her father, brother, and daughter all being involved in education. Resch explained that she attended college to pursue a degree in education, but eventually began her business Pamela’s on the Hudson instead. As Executive Chef and Owner, Resch has also been the recipient of numerous community awards of the years thanks to her work with local organizations.
Nathan F. Vesely, a 5th generation Newburgh resident, is a graduate of the NECSD school system. After working for the NECSD for 18 years, he was forced to retire because of a disability. Vesley spent a year and a half involved with CSEA Local 836 as 1st VP and Executive VP. According to Vesely, he comes from a union oriented family. His father, who recently passed away, was Executive VP of IBEW Local #2218 for Central Hudson. His grandfather was employed by the NECSD and his mother is currently still on the job with the NECSD after 25 years or service. Vesely is a graduate of SUNY Delhi and Cornell University and majored in Entomology.
John N. Giudice a former Newburgh City Council Member and mayoral candidate is currently employed by the City of Newburgh Water Department. According to Giudice, his major goal if elected is to try and stabilize taxes and help alleviate the burden on area homeowners.