The Board of Education is the official policy-making body of our school district. Nine members serve on the Board, without pay, and are elected to three-year terms. Board elections take place in May along with the annual school budget vote.
The Ichabod Crane Board of Education can be reached via email at boardofeducation@ichabodcrane.org
Emails sent to the above address go to the Board Clerk for further distribution to Board members.
2021 Board of Education Election
The Ichabod Crane Board of Education Election and 2021-2021 Budget Vote are scheduled for May 18, 2021.
Board Petitions for 2021
Petitions for candidates for the Ichabod Crane Board of Education are currently available. Petitions can be obtained through the District Clerk, Mindy Potts, in the Central Office (2910 Route 9, Valatie, NY). Completed board petitions are due back to the District Clerk by 5 PM on Monday, April 19, 2021. On March 8, 2021, Governor Cuomo signed legislation into effect which reduces the number of signatures board candidates need for petitions this year. This legislation states candidates must gather whichever of the following is the greater number: 25 signatures or 2% of total voters in the district’s 2019 election. This means Ichabod board candidates must have a total of 26 signatures on their petitions this year. Please note, this change is only in effect for this year.
Board Vacancies for 2021
Three (3) vacancies available this year, each for three-year terms. The board members with expiring terms are John Antalek (term expires June 30, 2021), Susan Ramos and Ruth Moore (both terms expire May 18, 2021).
Board Eligibility
Individuals are eligible for election to the Board if they are qualified voters of the district (district resident for at least one (1) year, a U.S. citizen and at least 18 years old). New York State Education Law does not limit the number of terms of office a member may serve. Board members receive no salaries or other compensation.
Questions?
Questions about serving on the Board of Education or the candidate petition process can be directed to the Ichabod Crane District Clerk, Mindy Potts at 758-7575 ext. 3001 or via email at mpotts@ichabodcrane.org.
The Next Board of Education Meeting(s) Are:
Date: Tuesday, April 13 (Regular Meeting)
Time: 7:00 PM
Place: Primary School Auditorium. A limited number of socially distanced seats will be available, but members of the public are encouraged to attend via Zoom if possible to avoid a large number of people in an enclosed space.
Agenda: Check back closer to the meeting date
Supporting Documents:
The Next Board of Education Committee Meetings Are:
Date: April 9 (Budget & Finance)
- Meetings will be virtual. Anyone interested in attending (ie: viewing online) Committee Meetings should email Mindy Potts (mpotts@ichabodcrane.org) or call 518-758-7575 x3001
Time: 10:30 AM (Budget & Finance). The meeting is earlier than usual since it takes place during Spring Recess.
Supporting Documents:
2020-2021 Board of Education Members
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- John Antalek (2021), Vice President of the Board
- Elaine Berlin (2023)
- John Chandler (2023)
- Kelly Firmbach (2023)
- Ruth Moore (2021)
- Matthew Nelson (2022), President of the Board
- Jeffrey Ouellette (2022)
- Elizabeth Phillips (2022)
- Susan Ramos (2021)
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Student Board Representative(s)
The 2020-2021 Student Board Representative(s) are:
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- Erin Curry
- Eric (Tismark) Boham (Alternate)
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Board of Education Meeting Dates, 2020-2021*
*Please note dates are subject to change
View the full schedule of the 2020-2021 board meeting dates here. These dates were approved at the Annual Board Organizational Meeting on July 14, 2020.
Board Meetings During COVID-19
Meeting Electronically
Governor Cuomo’s Executive Order 202.1 has suspended the provisions of the Open Meetings Law requiring school boards to conduct their business at meetings that allow for in-person attendance by the public. Due to that Executive Order, school boards can meet electronically using video and teleconferencing. Read more in Frequently Asked Questions from NYSSBA on Implementing the Open Meetings Law during the COVID-19 Outbreak.
Therefore, Ichabod Crane board meetings will be held on Zoom for public health and safety reasons. Members of the public will be allowed to view these meetings, but please be advised the district cannot guarantee information provided to Zoom by public attendees will be kept confidential nor do we guarantee that the data transmitted is secure.
Public Participation
At this point, the Board would like it noted that due to the new meeting format and concerns for security during meetings, there will not be a live public comment section in Zoom board meetings. However, the public is encouraged to continue reaching out to the Board via email boardofeducation@ichabodcrane.org at any time. Messages sent to this email address go to the Board Clerk for further distribution to all Board members.