Four Running for Two Seats at SCS

By David Avitabile

SCHOHARIE VALLEY - Four people will be seeking two seats in Schoharie, including three newcomers.

The public vote will be on Tuesday, May 21.

Incumbent Lynda Lewandowski is running for re-election. Also running are newcomers: Brad Bruno, Ph.D., Steven Underwood, and Laura Rosenthal

Two seats are expiring, currently held by Ms. Lewandowski's and Lance Hellstrom.

The seats are for three years.

Lynda Lewandowski is running for re-election to her second term on the school board.

She previously worked in the high school for 10 years as a teacher aide, substitute teacher, attendance office, ISS room, business office, study hall, cafeteria and library aide before accepting her current position at SUNY Cobleskill. She is also employed by the Schoharie County Election Board as an election inspector.

She has volunteered for many years to chaperone sporting events, school dances, bonfires, musicals, graduations and other school functions.

Her seven children are all graduates of Schoharie High School.

Brad Bruno is seeking his first term on the board.

Bruno is employed by Union College as a professor of mechanical engineering. He has been at Union in this role since 2002. He teaches courses in thermodynamics, fluid mechanics, heat transfer, internal combustion engines and design. He conducts research in aerogel-based catalysts for automotive pollutant mitigation. He has served three-year terms as the chair of the Mechanical Engineering Department and as a member of the Faculty Executive Committee.

Mr. Bruno is a graduate of Holmdel High School in Holmdel, New Jersey. He has a bachelor of science degree and a Ph. D. degree in mechanical engineering from Penn State University. He also holds a master of science degree in mechanical engineering from the University of Michigan.

He has coached some of the Schoharie’s Odyssey of the Mind teams, and has coached T-ball for Schoharie Little League. Mr. Bruno has two children that attend Schoharie CSD, Teddy and Maddy.

He said he is running for the board because "II know how important education is; it has been transformative in my life.  I’m a big supporter of public schools and want to do what I can to ensure every child gets the education they need to maximize their opportunities in life. I’m proud that our school system is a core of our community, a place where our children can grow academically, artistically, athletically, and in so many other ways. I also know that it takes a lot of work to do anything well; building and maintaining a successful school system is no exception. And, in a small town like ours, everyone must pitch in to help as best they can. I think my background as both an engineer and an educator (I’m a professor of Mechanical Engineering at Union College) puts me in an excellent position to contribute to the vital work of the SCS board."

He added, "My focus on the board will be to maximize the opportunities for all of our children given the realities of limited resources. Core academics, vital arts programs, technical education, strong athletics, and rich extracurricular activities together contribute to the development of important life skills for our students and help to strengthen our community. The key to maximizing the opportunities we can provide is to ensure that every decision, and every expenditure, contributes as efficiently and directly as possible to furthering these central activities."

Mr. Bruno said would be a asset on the board "I’m an engineer and engineers are trained to solve difficult problems. We break down complex situations, ask tough questions, gather data, use logic, conduct careful analysis, and apply creativity to reach solutions. We optimize, we streamline, we economize. I know those skills will serve the Board of Education well. I’m also an educator so I understand the challenges involved in teaching firsthand. I know that, at its core, teaching is the art of finding a way to get each student whatever it is they need most in the moment to help them to grow. I know it takes dedicated professional talent, resources, and support to allow that. That perspective will be invaluable as I work collaboratively and creatively with community members, school administrators, teachers, parents, and students, to make SCS as strong as it possibly can be." 

Steven Underwood is seeking his first term on the Schoharie CSD Board of Education.

Mr. Underwood is employed at the Walmart Distribution Center and works as a replenishment/machine operator. He operates forklifts to select products to be distributed to stores.

He has a Regents Diploma from Schoharie CSD.

Mr. Underwood is member of the Central Bridge Fire Department, the Schoharie County Hazmat, Search and Rescue and Fire Prevention teams.

He has three children that attend Schoharie CSD.

"I'm running to represent the unheard voices of the taxpayers and students in our school district community," Mr. Underwood said. "To help remodel the spending budget so it doesn't have a negative impact on our communities/families. 

"I want to bring change to the current sports/liberal arts programs to promote better future opportunities for our students. I want to address the lack of funding for school supplies and stress on teachers that supply out of pocket. We need to do better for our children in this school system."

He added, "I feel I'm a great candidate for the board as I represent the community as being an alumni from SCS. I have the perspective of a student and taxpayers in our school district. Seeing the structure from both ends, I feel I can create a change that is needed."

Laura Rosenthal is seeking her first term on the Schoharie CSD Board of Education.

Ms. Rosenthal is employed by the New York State Department of Health and is the bureau director for nursing home and other long-term core rate setting. She manages a bureau responsible for Medicaid reimbursement.

She is a graduate of Lafayette High School and holds a bachelor of arts degree in International Studies from Kenyon College, as well as a masters degree in public administration from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

Ms. Rosenthal served on the board and as president of the Schoharie Free Library. She has coached Odyssey of the Mind and SYStem Soccer. She actively supported the school musical and Little League.

She has a child that attends Schoharie CSD.

Ms. Rosenthal said she is running because, "It has always been important to me to give back to my community by being an active community participant, demonstrated by a decade on the Schoharie Library board, and coaching Odyssey of the Mind and SYStem Soccer. In a small community, such as ours, I feel that it’s vitally important that we support and strengthen our community institutions by being involved. As the parent of a child attending SCS, I see the School as the heart of our community and I want to do my part to help it continue beating strongly."

She has several priorities for the district.

They are, "My number one priority is that the education provided to our children meets the needs of where they are in life, through technical, academic, and special education. I believe it is also important to support strong athletics and arts programs that help develop critical life skills and enrich the school experience. One of the achievements that Schoharie Central Schools can boast is that our kids can be scholars, athletes and artists all at once! My commitment to our schools is driven by a belief that every child deserves access to a high-quality education that nurtures their individual talents and prepares them for a successful future."

She said she would bring a strong background to the board.

"Beyond loving our community and our school, I have a strong analytical and fiscal background with over 20 years of experience in fiscal analysis working for the State and collaborating with a broad array of private organizations. If elected, I will bring these same skills to work with parents, teachers, students, school administrators, and the community to set a student-focused agenda and collaboratively solve any issues that our school faces. I’ve seen my son blossom into a capable young person, and I credit all that our school has done to foster his interests and abilities. If elected as a member of the school board, I will strive to help the school continue to support our youth, now and into the future."