Mamaroneck School Board Seeks New Applicants For Two Vacant Seats
The Mamaroneck Selection Committee is vetting new candidates for two soon to be open seats on the Mamaroneck School Board.
Mamaroneck Union Free School District board members Anant Nambiar and Linnet Tse will not be running for reelection this year, and Board President Robin Nichinsky's second term is ending, leaving three vacant seats on the school board.
Board members are elected to three-year terms, and are involved in policy-making, developing district goals, adopting the annual budget, decision-making in the timing and sizing of bonds, determining facility needs and approving the school calendar.
The Mamaroneck Selection Committee—24 elected residents who volunteer to recruit and endorse candidates for the School Board—is accepting applications for the open positions, which are due on Feb. 17.
Once the Selection Committee has vetted and endorsed their candidates, the community will vote on Election Day.
Ideally, says the Selection Committee, the candidate will be a district resident who has a deep concern for school issues, can analyze and synthesize large quantities of information, a team player and articulate communicator. The candidate should also be able to commit approximately 10 hours per week to board duties and be able to attend two Tuesday evening and two Tuesday morning meetings per month.
“These are trying times and the children and community are looking for your assistance in keeping the Mamaroneck school system on top,” said a press release sent out by the Selection Committee.
If interested in applying for the school board, please contact Janine Marallo Montoni of the Selection Committee at 914-315-1103. For more information, go to www.selectioncommittee.org or email: janinemontoni@verizon.net.
Editor's Note: Three board seats are vacant, not two. The article has been corrected to reflect the change.
rick buzin
6:46 pm on Wednesday, January 25, 2012
why not allow candidates to go straight to the voters instead of a "selection" committee?
JS
8:31 am on Thursday, January 26, 2012
The selection committee members were voted in by the public by a separate ballot during the school budget vote. They represent each of the elementary districts so theoretically they are representative of the community.
The committee vets candidates on behalf of their constituency. The selection committee simply endorses candidates, it does not determine the slate.
This method although not perfect significantly helps to reduce the burden on the individual running since they do not have to go directly to the public. Making your case directly to the public is difficult and potentially expensive. In concept this process allows someone interested to have an easier time of making their case for inclusion.
Candidates are not required to go through the selection committee. Anyone can run for the school board. The selection committee process is simply a more effective way of helping candidates get their message to the public since the committee vets the candidate and publishes their reasons to the community for its endorsements. Voters then make their own decision based on the information presented.
More information is in the FAQ on the committee web site at: http://www.selectioncommittee.org/FAQ.html
rick buzin
2:28 pm on Thursday, January 26, 2012
Having worked in Mamaroneck for 32 years, I cannot recall EVER having a "non-endorsed" candidate win a seat, let alone ever come close. While it sounds nice that this process makes the candidate's task less daunting, isn't anything worth having worth working for? Why aren't there many other districts that do it this way? I believe this is the PERFECT place for grassroots democracy to take place.
I thank you, JS, for your explanation. As an aside, I served 9 years on the Blind Brook BOE..........and ran independently from any group, except the community that chose to elect me.
Stan Futterman
10:40 am on Thursday, January 26, 2012
Actually there are 3 openings this year, not two, although at least one member may seek re-election.
With Hispanic students comprising 1/6 of the school population, it would be particularly useful to have one or more candidates from that community..
Stefani Kim
12:13 pm on Thursday, January 26, 2012
Hi Stan,
The press release I received indicated that there were two openings. I will correct the article to reflect the change.
Best,
Stefani