In SCHALMONT, four candidates will run for three open seats on the board this year, with Sandra Beloncik running for her sixth term, Michael DellaVilla running for his third, Robert Sheehan running for his third and John Dicocco running for his first.
Robert Sheeham
Biography
Robert Sheehan is running for his third term. He is a pharmacist with the Bureau of Pharmacy Policy and Operations for the State of New York. Sheehan is also a member of the American Society of Health Systems Pharmacists, Northeast Society of Hospital Pharmacists, American Pharmaceutical Society and Professional Employee Federation. He serves as a soccer official for Section II and is a member of the Eastern Board Approved Soccer Officials Association.
After graduating from Schalmont High School, he received a bachelor’s degree from Union University, Albany College of Pharmacy. He and his wife, Sharon, have three children: two daughters, who are both Schalmont alumnae, and a son, who is a 2009 Schalmont alumnus and a freshman at Hofstra University.
0. Why are you running for school board? My education experience at Schalmont paved my way to a college education. The guidance provided at Schalmont enabled me to select my career. I want to continue to give back to this community to provide our children a greater competitive edge as they enter this very competitive world upon graduation.
0. If elected, what do you hope to accomplish? I would like to continue to maintain the level of pride that has again been instilled back into our school system as well as our community.
0. What is you opinion of the 2010-11 school budget? Staff reductions hurt! But this budget is honest and realistic. It maintains the educational core programs enjoyed by our students at a reasonable cost to the tax payers. Community members, the Board and Administration have worked together in developing this budget.
0. What would you bring to the school board? I bring my time and attentiveness to the BOE. I enjoy attending school events featuring our students and do so regularly. This gives me the opportunity to have sustained interactions within the Schalmont community and allows me to bring the voice of the parents and students to the BOE process.
0. Free response. Take 50 words to say anything you’d like on any topic.
0. We have an honest budget for 2010-2011. 2011-2012 will be a much tougher year
0. for all schools in New York. District residents need to involve themselves in
0. upcoming issues confronting Schalmont. They need to become part of the
solutions. I hope to help facilitate this need.
John Dicoccio
Biography (100 words or less, please):
My name is John DiCocco, I’m 41, married with three children. It’s my first time running for a seat on the board. I am a graduate of Draper High School and Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute with BS in Mechanical Engineering. I work in General Electrics Global Projects Operation as a Contract Manager. Outside of work I enjoy golf, softball, watching my kids play sports, spending time with family, and Cub Scouts with my son. I have been a resident in the district for 10 years and have served on the Community Budget Advisory Committee the last two years.
50 words or less each:
Why are you running for school board?
The current boards approach isn’t working for students, taxpayers, or teachers. In 2003 Schalmont spent less than $31,000,000 to serve 2200 students, this year (09-10) we’re spending over $42,000,000 to serve less than 2000. Teachers have been laid off, class sizes have increased, and residents’ taxes have increased over 50%.
If elected, what do you hope to accomplish?
Refocus spending and resources towards smaller class sizes in the elementary and middle schools and increased advanced placement opportunities in the high school. Work with students, teachers, and residents to agree on a long term plan that makes sense for all.
What is your opinion of the 2010-11 school budget?
Staff reductions, retirements, a shrinking student body, increased class sizes, and course eliminations have combined to allow the district to get by this year and postpone tough choices to 2011. Absent change, the tax increases of the last 10 years will return and deep cuts will have to be made.
What would you bring to the school board?
As a parent of 4th, 6th, and 9th graders, a taxpayer, and an outsider never having served on the board, I would offer balanced and fresh eyes, new ideas, and 18 years of professional experience working with people from all around the world to find solutions to tough problems.
Free response. Take 50 words to say anything you’d like on any topic.
We all need to acknowledge the new reality our and all school districts are operating in and agree on a plan that is sustainable long term by district residents and provides students and teachers the environment they need.
Sandra Belonick
Biography (100 words or less, please): I graduated from Mohonasen HS and attended Brockport University. I married my husband, Michael, over 36 years ago. We have two children, Jack and Cheryl, both Schalmont graduates. I have served on the Schalmont’s School Board for 15 years. I was VP 2004-05 and 2005-06 school years.
I am very active with the NY State School Boards Assoc., having served as a voting delegate for 10 years. I was given two medals for being a Board Member of Distinction from the NY State School Board. I began service as a board member on the Capital Region BOCES Board in 2000; I have been the president the past two years. I began on the TVHS Operating Board in 2006. I was active in the 3 Schalmont’s Parent Teacher Organizations, elementary, MS and HS. I also served as secretary for the Friends of Music. I served as the Vice-Chair of the Town of Rotterdam Ethics Committee. In little league I held many officer positions. I served as a board member for Rotterdam DARE.
50 words or less each:
Why are you running for school board?
I am running to help keep Schalmont running efficiently both academically and fiscally. We seven board members along with the administrators and staff here at Schalmont try to work collaboratively to produce the best Schalmont graduate possible.
If elected, what do you hope to accomplish?
I would like to help Schalmont to continue to improve communications and opportunities with the community. I want to be sure that we keep up with the facilities plan and the long-range financial plan. I want to be sure that we continue to look into plans for a bus garage.
What is your opinion of the 2010-11 school budget?
Schalmont’s school budget is extremely sound. With the help of our administrators, the budget advisory committee members, Mark Kellett (Business Agent), Valerie Kelsey (Superintendent) and the board members we all have worked very diligently to produce a very fiscally sound and academically balanced budget despite the 1.2 million dollars decrease in state aid.
What would you bring to the school board?
I bring to the school board many things. I have a good math, financial background.
I attend numerous workshops, seminars and conferences. Some are for board member self-improvement the rest is very informational. I bring back many ideas that Schalmont very often puts into place. One suggestion that I brought back was to create the Wall of Distinction. Another suggestion was applying for a music grant. We applied and received the grant from VH1 Save the Music.
Free response. Take 50 words to say anything you’d like on any topic.
I made a commitment to the Schalmont community in July, 1995, when I became a Board member, to help provide the best education in the safest environment in the most fiscally responsible way. Since that time I have attended concerts, sporting events, honor society inductions, graduations, classroom invitations, summer school events and HS Graduations. I will always remember the faces of the students and their parents and relatives because those are my rewards.
Michael Della Villa
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