On May 18, 2021, residents elected Jared Widjeskog, Jennifer Allard and Anne Schaefer to the Board of Education. Each seat on the board is for a 3-year term. The terms for Mr. Widjeskog and Ms. Allard begin on May 19, 2021, while Ms. Schaefer’s term begins on July 1, 2021.
Residents also approved a $43,878,924 budget for the 2021-2022 school year by a vote of 874 (yes) to 402 (no).
Ichabod Crane High School’s Participatory Government Class hosted a virtual “Meet the Candidates Night” on Monday, May 10. We invite you to watch the Zoom recording of it below if you missed it.
You can find more information below about the individuals running for the three (3) seats opening on the Ichabod Crane Board of Education. The term for two of these seats begins on May 19, 2021, while the remaining seat’s term begins on July 1, 2021. Board terms are for three (3) years.
The names of board candidates shall appear on the ballot as follows:
- Regina Rose
- Jared Widjeskog
- Resa Dimino
- Jennifer Allard
- Anne Schaefer
The Ichabod Crane Board Election and Budget Vote are taking place on Tuesday, May 18. Find information about voting for the 2021-2022 Budget and Board Election here.
About Regina Rose
Born and raised in the Bronx, I attended St. Helena’s HS and Hunter College. I met my husband and married in 1968. We settled in Niverville in 1972, and I have been here ever since. I have two children and three grandchildren, two of whom attend Ichabod Crane. The third lives in Brooklyn.
My interest in education began when my daughter entered kindergarten in 1975, and my work as a volunteer parent led me to return to school and pursue a career as a teacher. I hold certification as an Elementary teacher (K-6), a Special Education teacher, (all grades), and as School District Administrator. I have experience at almost every grade level, but most of my career was spent as a special education teacher in ICHS. I also enjoyed two years of reading intervention work with first graders at the Primary School.
As a teacher, I participated in many district wide committees, and also served as the local Union President for eight years. Upon retirement I immediately won a seat on the Board of Education. I am a mother, a grandmother, and I am currently a Senior citizen living on a fixed income. All these roles have given me a broad perspective. However in every role concern for what is best for the children of the district has always been my focus and my motivation. As a Board member I have advocated especially for literacy in the early grades; most recently I argued for the return of cursive writing instruction. I believe I have always tried to balance what the children need, what the teachers can do, and what the district can reasonably afford to provide when casting my Board vote. I am hoping to be able to serve the district and the community for another three years.
About Jared Widjeskog
Hello, my name is Jared Widjeskog, and it is my pleasure to have the opportunity to potentially serve the Ichabod Crane district. I will listen carefully, ask questions, and learn as much as possible in order to help the Board to maintain and improve its high standards for all students, employees, families, and community members.
Ichabod is my alma mater, as it is for my wife, and as it will be for our children, aged 5 and 6. Having attended ICC since Kindergarten, my wife and I were intent on providing our kids with the well-rounded and healthy experience that Ichabod provided for us. In addition to academics and membership in the National Honor Society, I participated in tennis, cross country, band/jazz, and chorus.
Before returning to my hometown of Stuyvesant, I graduated from SUNY Binghamton (Bachelor’s in Management) and worked in public schools directing after school programs in underserved communities. For the last eight years in Columbia County, I’ve been supporting people with special needs, where I am currently administering programs as a Fiscal Intermediary.
In the spirit of “Learning, Teaching, and Growing – Together” I’ll be honored to support the school that’s done so much to support my family.
About Resa Dimino
I am the mom of an ICC tenth grader who has been a Rider since kindergarten. We moved here in part for the school and we have not been disappointed. Through all the challenges the district has faced, from budget cuts to the pandemic, the focus has remained on the needs of the students. I am running for school board to ensure that the district I love continues to provide the best education and the best educational experience for our kids.
I have met and worked with many ICC students, teachers and families as a PTA volunteer, as a girl scout leader, and as assistant coach. In my professional life, I have worked in local and state government, in not-for-profits and in businesses. I understand how to get things done, whether working in a bureaucracy, or on a neighborhood project.
ICC supports a range of activities that help students discover their interests and find their place. As we adapt to life post-pandemic, we need to take lessons from what we’ve been through and use those to build programs that provide the students with the diversity of opportunities and experiences that will prepare them for life in a changing world.
About Jennifer Allard
As our community moves into the new school year and beyond, we must engage all stakeholders to ensure our children have a quality education. I am a parent of a fourth-grader and have been a classroom teacher for 17 years. My involvement in education extends beyond the classroom through collaboration with educators from across NYS to develop regents exams and the statewide social studies curriculum. I am an active education advocate through the New York State United Teachers Social Studies Subject Area Committee. These roles have provided me with a unique perspective, witnessing the transformative impact the pandemic has had on our school community. It would be a privilege to work on behalf of the students and families to advocate for and support their needs as education continues to shift due to the ongoing changes that profoundly impact every one of us.
About Anne Schaefer
I am seeking election to the Board of Education because I believe it offers one of the most meaningful ways to contribute to the strength and success of our local community.
I’m a daughter of public school teachers, a mom of toddlers (future Riders), an artist and collegiate art educator. My husband and I live in the Village of Valatie with our two children.
It is my intent to support fiscally responsible decisions that further the excellence of our district. My background as an art educator provides me insight into the classroom and the complicated tasks of teaching. My experience serving community and academic organizations will help me work collaboratively with the Board and administration to support our students, teachers, and the role the district plays in our community. I am committed to supporting education that recognizes the individuality of all students and empowers them to engage the world as informed and multi-faceted individuals.
The resiliency of the entire ICC community during the pandemic is impressive. I believe there’s much to glean from the successes and frustrations of this experience that will improve our adaptability and capitalize on our resourcefulness to provide exceptional educational opportunities for all ICC students.