Current BOE Candidate Biographies

Board of Education Candidate Biographies

Each candidate wrote their own biography

 

Amy Roe-Ryan

I grew up in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, moved to South Carolina for graduate school, and then moved to LaFayette with my husband 20 years ago.  LaFayette has been a wonderful community to raise our two children, who both attend LaFayette
Junior and Senior High School. I have watched our community support neighbors in need, come together in celebration, and volunteer their time and expertise to help LaFayette and neighboring communities.   
 
My purpose for serving on the LaFayette Board of Education is to give back to our community by advocating for our children. I have served on the LaFayette Board of Education since 2021 and have gained incredible experience and enjoyment working collaboratively with my Board of Education colleagues and everyone at our school district. The LaFayette Central School District has a fantastic Mission and I want to contribute to the continued success of that Mission: "At LaFayette, we put students first. Our mission is to educate, honor, and develop students to have self-respect, a commitment to the community, and a passion for excellence";
 
My overall goal is to be an advocate for a solid educational foundation for all our children. I believe that everyone can be at their best when they are treated with dignity, respect, and compassion and are given a supportive and safe environment in which to learn and work. I understand the need for a cost-effective approach to efficiently and effectively run a school district and I do not take the duties of appointment to the Board of Education lightly. My plan to support and advocate for our students includes listening and learning from current board members, our Superintendent, Principals, Teachers, Staff, Parents, Students, and LaFayette community members to help the Board of Education make informed decisions to meet the needs of our children. I want the best for each child and to nurture, challenge, and inspire. LaFayette is a wonderful community, and it is a privilege to work alongside so many dedicated community members in a volunteer capacity.  I would be honored to continue serving our community as a LaFayette Board of Education member.

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Mark Whitney

I grew up in the Valley section of Syracuse. I graduated from Christian Brothers Academy and attended LeMoyne College. I spent my career working in IT and Information Security/Cyber Security retiring as a Chief Information Security Officer.  During my career I earned several professional certifications including Certified Information Systems Security Professional, Credit Union ENterprise Risk Management Expert, and NAFCU Certified Risk Manager.

I have lived in LaFayette for forty years. My son attended Grimshaw Elementary and graduated from LaFayette High School.  I enjoy baseball, basketball, cross country skiing, mountain bike riding, golfing, kayaking, and hiking.  LaFayette is a great place to live with countless opportunities for children to learn, grow, excel, and develop leadership skills.  Residents are blessed with qualified, talented, caring and dedicated teachers that help to make our school system one to be proud of.

I am an active member of our community. My qualifications and community involvement past and present include: 

• LaFayette Town Planning Board Member

• School Board of Directors Trustee

• Youth T-Ball and baseball coach

• Youth basketball coach

• Cub Scout Den Leader

• LaFayette Community Council (LCC) board member

• Valley Little League coach and board member

• Saint Joseph’s parish member

• Apple Festival volunteer (St. Joseph’s, LCC)

• Earth Day clean up volunteer

I previously served on the LaFayette School Board from 2010 to 2019.  During that time, the Board hired our current Superintendent, Jeremy Belfield, who exuded outstanding excellence in the district.  The Board ensured that finances were fiduciarily managed and led other area districts by implementing high-level, state of the art physical security and information security/cybersecurity improvements designed to meet industry standards.  The district maintained high student passing and graduation rates, expanded educational opportunities, offered college courses and scholarships, and invested in building, educational and athletic capital projects.  

My focus is to ensure that taxpayer dollars and district finances are effectively managed.  I am passionate about students striving for excellence, receiving a high-quality education, having opportunities to participate in extracurricular activities to become the best they can possibly be in all areas of their lives and have fun doing it.  I support approving the use of resources and teacher, coach and staff member professional development, enabling them to help students excel in all areas.  

I plan to support students through policy making and approving curriculum standards to ensure that students receive a comprehensive and relevant education, and to support special education and student counseling services. 

As a fiduciary, I plan to oversee the school district's budget.  I plan to ensure that strong physical and data security controls are implemented, maintained and appropriately managed.  I plan to approve hiring and staffing decisions to ensure that student excellence is a high priority.  I plan to approve capital improvements to ensure that the district has resources to ensure that students have conducive learning and extracurricular activities. I ask for your vote for a seat on the school Board of Education.                       

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Margaret ( Peggy ) Durant 

Lifetime educator who puts education first. 

I am a graduate of Bishop Ludden High School. Graduate of Onondaga Community College. Graduate of The State University of New York. ( history and education) Masters degree from LeMoyne College (special education) Course work in school administration at Syracuse University. 

My husband John and I moved to LaFayette in July of 2016. 

I proudly and happily worked for the Syracuse City School District for over 30 years. I served as a daily substitute while completing my teaching degree. I was a teaching assistant in grades kindergarten and third as well as in a SRA reading lab at the high school level. I then taught all levels of social studies at the secondary level, my favorite years were teaching seniors Economics and Participation in Government. For five years I had the privilege of working as the career and college counselor at Corcoran High School where I organized and worked with my peers at the other city high schools to take hundreds of juniors and seniors to almost every college campus in New York State. In addition, I was the first coordinator (where I was responsible for the staffing, budget, programming and discipline) of a unique alternative education program called Twilight which ran daily from 3-7 pm. Lastly I worked for six consecutive years as summer school administrator handling arrivals, dismissals, classroom observations, staffing concerns and student behavior. 

I am currently employed by Onondaga Community College as a student advocate for Liberty Partnership. This program supports students in a variety of ways including academic, career/workforce readiness, mentoring, college prep and social/emotional well being. 

I am the treasurer of The LaFayette Athletic Booster Club 2014-present 

Member of the Assessment Grievance Board of Review 2023-present 

Founding advisor for the chapter of Morgan’s Message at LaFayette Jr/Sr High School 2021- present 

I enjoy spending time with friends as well as family vacations, hosting all holidays. Spend many hours volunteering in the community including with the VFW auxiliary for the annual Veteran’s Day dinner. 

I have a strong belief in public education for current and future students. Since taking my current position with Onondaga Community College, I see continued proof of what wonderful students, staff, programming and traditions are here in LaFayette. I would like to share my knowledge and experiences in and out of the classroom to make LaFayette the best district in New York State.

I will continue to encourage and support students and staff if elected to the board. I would like to increase parent involvement. I would make it a goal to be available to the school community, and would be open to suggestions and incorporate best practices for student success. 

Finally, I am a lifetime educator who has served in the capacity of a teaching assistant in grades K, 3rd and 9-12. Teacher of social studies grades 9-12. College and career counselor. Administrator for summer programming for 6 years, and an alternative programming coordinator. I believe I can clearly explain my vision and listen to people's concerns and come up with viable solutions. I am actively involved in the LaFayette community. I am extremely organized and can prioritize scheduled events. I consider myself a strong leader and team player who sets goals and works them through to completion. 

It would be my pleasure to work for the good of the children in our community and sit on the LaFayette Central School District School Board of Education.
 

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Colleen Cameron

I am a graduate of Amherst Central High School.  I attended Erie Community College, Syracuse University, the University of Chicago, and the University of Nevada.  I received an undergraduate degree in Psychology and went on to earn graduate degrees in Special Education, Human Development and Family Science.  My areas of training focus on the healthy development of children and families in schools, medical and community-based settings.  

My family and I have lived in LaFayette since 2017.  I enjoy cooking, skiing, and community volunteering.  I have served as a parent volunteer on the school district’s Comprehensive Support and Improvement Plan and served as a parent helper for the Grimshaw Musical.  I am active with the LaFayette Community Council (LCC), volunteering at both the LCC Apple Fest Booth and Community Days, serving hot chocolate at our annual tree lighting event, and have assisted with our town's Ski and Snowboard Program.  I also volunteered with the LaFayette Afterschool and Early Childhood Program in both the pre-k room and the after school program until Mrs. Oliver retired from the program.

I am a Certified Child Life Specialist and a Special Education Teacher.  I have taught across the developmental continuum as a pre-k teacher for Head Start, an elementary school Special Education teacher, and a high school tutor.  I am currently a Professor of Practice at Syracuse University, teaching students who are interested in pre-medical and health professions.  I love my job working with college students.  I have served in several leadership positions at Syracuse University, leading strategic evaluation and planning initiatives, serving on the Chancellors Committee for Disability Access and Inclusion, the Center for Disability Resources Faculty Advisory Council, and as University Senator on the Student Experience and Research and Creative Scholarship Committees.

I have experience as a board member, serving the Street Addiction Institute, a community-based organization that aims to support children and youth at risk for community violence here in Syracuse.  In addition, I served on the Board for the LaFayette Afterschool and Early Childhood Program for many years.  I have done extensive committee work at Syracuse University, The Association of Child Life Professionals, and the Child LIfe Academic Society. 

My interest in serving as a board member is rooted in my personal and professional interests in serving children, families and communities.  In addition, my gratitude and appreciation for my neighbors and the LaFayette community serves as motivation.  I would welcome the opportunity to support the needs of students, their families, our teachers and administrators, aiming to ensure our school environment is one where people can reach their full potential.  

I would support the needs of students from pre-k to 12th grade, including the needs of students in both LaFayette and Onondaga Nation.  I would listen and learn from students, families and community members hearing their thoughts, concerns and recommendations.  I would also incorporate interdisciplinary guidance that aims to promote the healthy development of children and youth in all developmental domains, focusing on academics and beyond.  I support any model where students and family members are part of strategic evaluation and planning sessions, to ensure the voice of those who are impacted the most are at the table.  I understand that fiscal operation is a critical component as we look to the future.  I would work to ensure the maintenance of a healthy budget, providing conscientious oversight and approval of resource allocation and spending initiatives that promotes student learning, health and wellness. 

I have dedicated my whole life to working with and for children, families and communities.  I would be honored to serve our community as a member of the Board of Education, thank you for your consideration.
           
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