Meet the 2023-2024 Board of Education

The Schenectady Board of Education is made up of seven unsalaried citizens elected to serve a three-year term. This page includes Board of Education Members' contact information.  

2023-2024 Board of Education

Left to Right: Erica Brockmyer, Jamaice Miles, Cathy Lewis, Superintendent Anibal Soler, Jr., Bernice Rivera (President) Nohelani Etienne (Vice President), Vivian Parsons, Amanda Sponable-Pantalone

Bernice Rivera

Bernice Rivera

President

Bernice Rivera was elected to a third term on the board of education in 2023.  Her current term runs through 2026.

Ms. Rivera is a member of the Audit Committee, Ad hoc BOE 101 Handbook and Governance Guide Committee. She is also a NYS School Boards Association (NYSSBA) Voting Member and a member of the Teacher Center Policy Board.

Ms. Rivera is liaison to Keane Elementary School, Martin Luther King, Jr. Elementary School, Big Picture Schenectady, and Steinmetz Career and Leadership Academy (SCLA).

Email Ms. Rivera

Nohelani Etienne

Nohelani Etienne

Vice President

Nohelani Etienne was re-elected to a second term on the board of education in 2023.  Her current term runs through June 2026.

Ms. Etienne is a member of the Policy Committee.

Ms. Etienne is liaison to Hamilton Elementary School, Paige Elementary School, and Schenectady High School.

Email Ms. Etienne  

Erica Brockmyer

Erica Brockmyer

Ms. Brockmyer has been a board member since 2021. 

Her current term runs 2021-2024.

Ms. Brockmyer is a member of the Ad hoc BOE 101 Handbook and Governance Guide Committee.

Ms. Brockmyer is liaison to Howe Elementary School and Zoller Elementary School.

Email Erica Brockmyer

Cathy Lewis

Cathy Lewis

Mrs. Lewis has been a board member since 2010.  She served as board president from 2010-2022.   Her current term runs 2022-2025.

Mrs. Lewis is a member of the Audit Committee. She is also a NYSBBA Legislative Liaison.

Mrs. Lewis is liaison to Oneida Middle School and Pleasant Valley Elementary School.

Email Mrs. Lewis

Jamaica Miles

Jamaica Miles

Ms. Miles has been a board member since 2021. 

Her current term runs 2021-2024.

Ms. Miles is a member of the Policy Committee and the Wellness Committee.

Ms. Miles is liaison to Lincoln Elementary School, Mont Pleasant Middle School and Washington Irving.

Email Jamaica Miles

Vivian Parsons

Vivian Parsons

Ms. Parsons was elected to her first term in 2022-2023

Her current term runs 2022-2025.

Ms. Parsons is a member of the Policy Committee.

Ms. Parsons is liaison to Central Park Middle School and Van Corlaer Elementary School.

Email Ms. Parsons

Amanda Sponable Pantalone

Amanda Sponable-Pantalone

Amanda Sponable-Pantalone was elected to the board of education in 2023.  Her current term runs through June 2026.

Ms. Sponable-Pantalone is a member of the Wellness Committee and the Safety Committee.

Ms. Sponable-Pantalone is liaison to Woodlawn Elementary School and Yates Elementary School.

Email Ms. Sponable-Pantalone

Contacting the Board of Education

Correspondence to the members of the board of education can also be directed to the clerk of the board as follows:

Let's Talk:   Contact the Clerk of the Board 

Mail:
Michelle Eden , Clerk of the Board
Schenectady City School District
108 Education Dr.
Schenectady, NY  12303

Email: edenm@schenectadyschools.org

Phone:  
518-370-8100 Ext. 40105

Committee Membership and School Liaisons

The Board of Education maintains an Audit Committee and Policy Committee to meet its legal and fiduciary obligations. Board members also serve as representatives on various district committees and as liaisons to schools to enhance two-way communications and strengthen the connection between the governance of the district, families and community organizations.

2023-2024 Board of Education School Liaisons

BOARD MEMBER

SCHOOL

Erica Brockmyer

Howe Elementary School
Zoller Elementary School

Nohelani Etienne

Hamilton Elementary School
Paige Elementary School
Schenectady High School

Cathy Lewis

Oneida Middle School
Pleasant Valley Elementary School

Jamaica Miles

Lincoln Elementary School
Mont Pleasant Middle School
Washington Irving

Vivian Parsons

Central Park Middle School
Van Corlaer Elementary School

Bernice Rivera

Keane Elementary School, Martin Luther King Elementary School, Steinmetz Career & Leadership Academy

Amanda Sponable-Pantalone

Woodlawn Elementary School
Yates Elementary School

Audit Committee

The audit committee oversees and reports to the board on the annual audit of the district records as required by section 2116-C of Education Law. The role of the audit committee is advisory and any recommendations it provides to the board does not substitute for any required review and acceptance by the board of education. The annual audit report is prepared by an independent public accounting firm, reviewed by the audit committee, but not deemed final until accepted by the resolution adopted by the board of education. As pasted from regulation, it is the responsibility of the audit committee to:

(a)  provide recommendations regarding the appointment of the external auditor for the district;

(b) meet with the external auditor prior to commencement of the audit;

(c) review and discuss with the external auditor any risk assessment of the district's fiscal operations developed as part of the auditor's responsibilities under governmental auditing standards for a financial statement audit and federal single audit standards if applicable;

(d) receive and review the draft annual audit report and accompanying draft management letter and, working directly with the external auditor, assist the trustees or board of education in interpreting such documents;

(e) make a recommendation to the trustees or board of education on accepting the annual audit report; and

(f) review every corrective action plan to be developed by a school district as required by section twenty-one hundred sixteen-a of this article and assist the trustees or board of education in the implementation of such plan.

 

Policy Committee

The policy committee works with district administrators to review existing district policies and to propose new policies as needed. The role of the Policy Committee is to:

(a) Oversee the review of policies adopted by the School Board, and ensure they are in accordance with federal and state mandates;

(b) Establish priorities in policy review and adoption, in consultation with the Superintendent and the administration; Set goals and schedules for policy review and adoption;

(c) Evaluate suggestions for School Board policy and recommend development of policies for adoption.

 

District Wide School Safety

The district wide school safety team develops the comprehensive district-wide school safety plan. Members include representatives from the BOE, students, teachers, administrators, parent organizations, school safety personnel and other school personnel. Health and safety committees are required under Part 155.4(d) and its main purpose is to adopt and amend a comprehensive district-wide school safety plan.

Wellness Committee

 A school wellness committee is an action-oriented advisory group that focuses on the health and well-being of students, staff, and families in a school community. The school wellness committee implements the district wellness policy and leads other health-related initiatives. School wellness committees may also:

• Monitor and evaluate the implementation of district health and wellness policies and programs

• Advise the school board or district on related school or community health issues

• Organize health-promoting programs or events in the district or community.

BOE Handbook Ad hoc or Task Force Committee (New!)

This committee will meet approximately 4 to 5 times to update, revise and complete the BOE handbook. The committee, if necessary, may decide to add additional dates if more time is needed to complete the handbook.

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