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BOE Election Candidates Bios Available
All candidates are running for a three-year term on the Newburgh Enlarged City School District Board of Education. You will select 3 candidates on the ballot. Click a candidate's name below to view their bio...
Years in District: 45
Employment: IT Manager at Columbia University
Education: Balmville School, North Junior High School, Newburgh Free Academy class of 1984, AB Harvard College 1988
Spouse/Occupation/Employment: Homemaker
Children/Ages/Schools:
Two children currently at NFA. They previously attended Washington Street Pre-k, Horizons on the Hudson, South Middle, and Heritage Middle schools.
NECSD Committees/Community Committees Served On:
I have served on the Finance, Buildings & Grounds, Personnel, Curriculum and Save committees. In recent years I have worked most consistently on the Policy and Library committees of the NECSD.
How would you complete the following sentence?
If I could achieve any one education accomplishment while serving as a Board of Education Member it would be...
...to promote improvement in the academic achievement of all students.
What do you view as the Board of Education's top priorities:
- Supporting and prioritizing improvement in student academic achievement -- literacy and specifically reading is the key to this.
- Restoring confidence in the school district following the April 2019 Grand Jury report on attendance and Apex issues.
Years in District: 6
Employment: New York City Department of Education
Education: Doctorate; In-progress, Master of Science; Education Leadership Administration & Policy: SBL/SDL
Spouse/Occupation/Employment: Juanella D. Colbourne/ Science Teacher/ Bronx New York
Children/Ages/Schools: Leilani N. Colbourne/ 2 years/ N.A
NECSD Committees/Community Committees Served On:
Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity Incorporated
New York State Unified Teachers Union
The New Democratic Committee
How would you complete the following sentence?
If I could achieve any one education accomplishment while serving as a Board of Education Member it would be...
to continue the development and sustainability of foundational literacy programs/instruction that transitions our students from learning to read, to reading to learn.
What do you view as the Board of Education's top priorities:
• Ensure our schools are safe and supportive learning hubs for all members of the community. Free of barriers that can hinder educational growth and student success.
• Work collaboratively to establish policies, and regulations that continue to create equitable teaching and learning environments for all scholars, teachers, and community members.
• Facilitate the development of an Integrated Learning Program that supports scholars who are over-aged and under credited.
• Take a hard look at “quick fix” educational solutions that rob our students of quality instruction and tangible learning experiences.
• Clear and concise budgetary communications that are driven and supported by data and aligned to resources needed to bolster high levels of equitable achievement for all students, teachers and administrators
• Develop a partnership with local higher educational institutions teacher preparation programs, creating a sustainable pipeline program that continuously outfits our schools with highly qualified diverse, and culturally responsive teachers.
• Support the development of a socially responsible 21st, century learner.
Years in District: 71
Employment: Retired
Education: BS Degree + 90 Credits
Spouse/Occupation/Employment:
Children/Ages/Schools:
NECSD Committees/Community Committees Served On:
BOE Facilities, BOE Policy, BOE Curriculum, Parrish Council (past), Compact (past).
How would you complete the following sentence?
If I could achieve any one education accomplishment while serving as a Board of Education Member it would be...
...be part of an initiative to raise the reading levels of our scholars to enable them to excel in their educational journey to be productive adults on all levels.
What do you view as the Board of Education's top priorities:
Writing and reviewing policies, Aid in Budget priorities, help the district to run well for all, true reading program for the elementary students, enlarge CTE center and others initiatives to give the Newburgh scholars the best possible chance for success
Years in District: 31
Employment: US. Dept. of Veteran’s Affairs- VA Hudson Valley
Education: B.S. –Biology Major, Chemistry Minor-SUNY Oneonta-2008
Doctorate of Physical Therapy-SAGE Colleges School of Health Sciences- 2011
Spouse/Occupation/Employment: N/A
Children/Ages/Schools: Ella Henderson -8- Balmville Elementary School
NECSD Committees/Community Committees Served On:
How would you complete the following sentence?
If I could achieve any one education accomplishment while serving as a Board of Education Member it would be...
...To improve college & career readiness amongst all NECSD students in order to improve equity, society, community & economy of Newburgh.
What do you view as the Board of Education's top priorities:
Foster cooperative & productive relationships with educators of the NECSD
for students with disabilities as well as marginalized student population
Ensure that all of our students receive an equitable education regardless of background
Improved safety amongst students & staff
Increased community involvement with NECSD
Expand extra-curricular activities with emphasis on College/Career readiness
Fiscal responsibility in budget planning while advocating for improved upgrades & needed materials.
Years in District: Lifelong
Employment: Retired Teacher from NECSD-35+ years
Education: B.S. El. Education-Oneonta, MS El. Ed. New Paltz
Spouse/Occupation/Employment:
Children/Ages/Schools:
NECSD Committees/Community Committees Served On:
Various Committee on Curriculum & Reading (District Wide)
Taught In-service on Literacy
Co-Chair Instructional Support
How would you complete the following sentence?
If I could achieve any one education accomplishment while serving as a Board of Education Member it would be...
To focus more on district wide early intervention literacy assistance to help children in need. Helping children with early literacy skills can prevent the vast problems that develop from lack of reading skills.
What do you view as the Board of Education's top priorities:
Teaching good literacy habits by highly training teachers can give children the tools to be successful readers.
Often Children are not getting help until they have seen struggle and failure. Research tells us this can lead to a variety of problems: anxiety, behavior issues, lack of confidence in school. With more early intervention, we could hope to create the opportunity for our students to be readers for life.
Years in District: 27
Employment: North Point Carpet Supplies
Education: Associates degree OCCC
Spouse/Occupation/Employment: Teacher Aide - NECSD
Children/Ages/Schools:
Aliya, Graduate of American University - Rebecca, Graduate of University of Albany - Michael, Binghamton University- Matthew, NFA (11th grade)
NECSD Committees/Community Committees Served On:
NECSD: Capitol Bond Project Advisory, Newburgh Teacher Center Policy Board, Finance, Personnel, Curriculum, Building & Grounds, Library, & Compact Committees
Temple Beth Jacob Trustee. Jewish Federation of Greater Orange County Trustee
How would you complete the following sentence?
If I could achieve any one education accomplishment while serving as a Board of Education Member it would be...
...To partner with parents and educators to create better outcomes and opportunities for the children of the Newburgh School District.
What do you view as the Board of Education's top priorities:
To ensure a safe and secure environment for the children of this district, so our educators can provide to the best education possible. Strive to make sure that our students graduate, and that they are College or Career ready, and Civic-minded young adults.
ATTENTION: Are your scholars or colleagues doing something great? Please contact the district Communications Team at communications@necsd.net. We’d love to visit your class or event and/or post your pictures and recap to highlight the amazing accomplishments throughout our district!
