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

Left to Right: Cathy Lewis, Alexandria Carver, Amanda Sponable-Pantalone, Nohelani Etienne (Vice President), Superintendent Carlos Cotto, Bernice Rivera (President), Vivian Parsons, Joyce Akhelume (Student Representative), Jamaica Miles

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. 76907

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.

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.

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.

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.

 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.

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.