Warwick Valley School District Board of Education candidates

The Warwick Advertiser asked the seven candidates running for the three open three-year seats in next the Tuesday, May 18, election three broad questions as a prelude to the contest.

Those questions were:

Personal information. This can include information about work, family, community service, what is (are) your passion(s), etc.

Why are you seeking this position?

What is the most critical issue facing the district and what do propose doing about it.

There was a 200-word limit to their responses. Keep in mind that a writer can cover a lot of ground within 200 words: The Lord’s Prayer, for instance, is 66 words while the Gettysburg Address is 286 words.

The candidates and their responses are presented in alphabetical order.

Sharon Davis

Twenty-two years ago, my husband and I returned to Orange County, and chose Warwick to raise our children; Hannah, a Cornell sophomore pursuing computational biology, and Sarah, a student-athlete preparing to make her impact in her college years.

Embracing community service as a coach, scout leader and PTA president nurtured my desire to impact the lives of children. As a college counselor supporting students through the college admissions process, I am aware of what colleges seek from today’s students and have a discerning understanding of what students need to prepare for their future.

For many years I advocated for Warwick schools to receive our deserved state aid. I am gratified that our NYS foundation aid has improved.

Now let’s work to end the $10,000 federal cap on state and local tax (SALT) deduction which costs Warwick families thousands of dollars annually.

My primary goal will be to continue to have all K-12 students attending in-person classes through the end of this school year and to ensure we are ready to have all students back in class including full participation in extracurricular activities this Fall.

Dave Eaton

My wife Robyn and I have lived in Warwick for 32 years. Our two children graduated from the Warwick schools.

Having been a member of Warwick’s school board for 16 years, five as president, a member of the Orange-Ulster BOCES school board for four years, a delegate to the Orange Ulster School Boards Association for most of those years, and past president of the Warwick Valley Rotary Club verifies my commitment to the Warwick community.

I am seeking another term to insure that the hard work that has been done to create a collegial, respectful, student centric, and forward-thinking board continues as we implement our district’s strategic plan. The School Board and our Administration have achieved a positive and mutually respectful relationship that is focused on our students.

The most critical and immediate issue facing our schools is getting our students safely back into the classroom full time. I pledge to pursue any and all avenues to accomplish this including conversations with my established connections with colleagues from other school districts.

At the end of the day we are all there for our children.

I am asking for your vote on May 18th.

Bill Fanos

My name is Bill Fanos, Town of Warwick resident for 45 years and volunteer coach for the Warwick Soccer Club.

My wife, Jaclyn, is a Special Education teacher. I graduated Cum Laude, B.A. in History from St. Bonaventure University and currently serve as a Lieutenant on the FDNY.

Let me start by extending my gratitude to the Warwick teachers, tirelessly working throughout the pandemic, keeping our children’s education and well-being their top priority.

As a parent of three school-aged children, it’s crucial to have a current stake in our public education system. There is intrinsic value to having a fresh perspective, on the Board of Education, in order to tackle the current challenges facing the District.

I’m committed to being a voice for parents who want a seat at the decision-making table. Too often, decisions are made behind closed doors ultimately affecting your children’s future and personal finances.

Therefore, transparency is imperative for strong, honest leadership. This will ensure the Superintendent of Schools has the support and constructive criticism required to make difficult decisions; specifically, maintaining in-person learning and informing parents about the details of any curriculum shift in standards from the NYS Education Department and Board of Regents.

Tiffany Howell

My name is Tiffany Howell and I moved here to beautiful Warwick ten years ago. My husband and I are raising two children who are currently enrolled at Park Avenue Elementary and the Middle School.

For more than 13 years, I have been employed as a police officer. I currently work in Youth Strategies, which aims to keep young people out of criminal justice system by referring them to resources and services. I have earned degrees in Criminal Justice (AS), Government (BA) and Criminology and Justice (MA).

I have also been a Rotarian since 2007 and a member of the Holy Name since 2010.

I am currently seeking election to the board mainly because I witnessed my own children and other Warwick children struggle immensely over the last year. I want to be a part of the solution. I want the schools open, fully, period. Enough with the excuses and passing the buck.

I think that the most critical issue that the district faces right now is fiscal responsibility. The 2021–22 budget has $4.2 million increase over last year. After a year where the high school has barely been open for in-person learning, how can anyone argue that this is fiscally responsible? Even though there is no tax levy increase this year, what is going to happen in the following years when there is no stimulus money?

Any increase at all, after the year that we have had, is completely unacceptable.

Bob Larsen

I own a vCIO/IT Services Company and hold a NYS Realtors license. I have a Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting. I sponsor and coach in the local little league and rec soccer league and have done so for the past four years. My wife is a fift- grade teacher in Port Jervis. My oldest daughter is finishing up her sophomore year at Mount St. Mary College where she is enrolled in the five-year teaching program. My two youngest daughters attend Sanfordville where they are both enrolled in the PIE Program.

Our family have enjoyed planting our roots in this community and love all the great things Warwick has to offer. We promote life-long learning so education is a lifestyle for us. We put as much emphasis on our children’s formal education as we do teaching them how to be good human beings. We encourage our children to ask questions, to exhibit a pure interest in understanding how things work, to exhaust all options while problem solving, reinforce why failing is an important step in achieving success and encouraging them to dream big because with honest effort and hard work, their wildest imaginations could ultimately become a reality one day.

Learn something new every day, be kind, help people and have fun.

Lynn Lillian

I am a 30-year Warwick resident, a proud mother of three graduates, and a College Counselor who supports students and their families through the college admissions process.

The education of our children has never been more critical. I know from my work and my board service that Warwick’s record of high academic achievement prepares our students well for life after high school. It is imperative that we sustain and expand that growth to ensure all students are prepared for their futures.

The impact of the pandemic on our students and barriers to our state aid will be the most immediate challenges to our progress. Thanks to extensive planning, Warwick has provided more in-person learning this school year than any comparably sized district in our region.

Moving forward we must remain fully open for the remainder of this school year and in 2021/22 while devoting ongoing attention and resources to eliminating any student learning loss due to the pandemic.

I have spent years successfully advocating for Warwick schools to get its fair share of State Aid. Now it’s time to end the federal cap on state and local tax (SALT) deduction which costs Warwick families thousands of dollars annually.

Joseph Melder

Joseph Melder has lived in the Warwick community for 58 years. A former school teacher of 40 plus years, Joe taught and was athletic director at Sugar Loaf Free School for 21 year. He retired after going on to teach at Middletown City School for another 19 years. He has coached and counseled many students. His degrees – Bachelor’s degree of Science in Physical Education, Master’s degree of Science in Physical Education, Master’s degree of Science in School Administration and Supervision. Joe has chosen after his 40 plus career in teaching to retire in Warwick a community he loves.

Joe chose to retire in Warwick where he lives in Warwick with his wife Frances (Tomaselli) Melder, a long-time resident of Warwick. Joe has two children and three stepchildren; all attended the Warwick Valley School system. Joe has eight grandchildren, four of whom living in the Warwick School district. Joe has chosen to dedicate his time to helping the community in any way he can. With Joe’s background he would be a great asset to the Warwick Valley School System.

My goal is to give back to the community I love, to utilize my experience and education to insure the highest quality educational experience for our children, as well as help provide support to our staff and administration.

The most critical issue facing the district is geting our children and staff back in the schools in a safe and financially sound environment. When that is accomplished, we can move to other issues of concern to the district.