Incumbent will not seek reelection
CLIFTON PARK, N.Y. >> Nineyear Shenendehowa Board of Education incumbent Mary Blaauboer Tuesday announced she will not seek reelection for another term.
Blaauboer made the announcement at the conclusion of a testy board meeting that revealed numerous positions on how to proceed with the disposition of a surplus 34 acre district parcel near Shatekon Elementary School.
“When I came on the board I said I wanted to do what’s right for kids,” she said. “That’s been my primary goal. I have discussed this with my family and have decided that this is my last term. I will not seek reelection.”
Blaauboer was one of four board members who voted to sell the 34 acres to developer BBL in December. At Gowana Middle School gym last Tuesday as the permissive referendum was underway, she said she had all the forms to run for the seat filled out at her home but had not turned them in to the district office. She had no comment when asked whether she wanted to run again.
In addition to Blaauboer’s announcement Tuesday, incumbent board member Bill Casey distributed a press release announcing his intention to run for another term.
Casey led the minority side of the board’s vote on the land sale issue on Dec. 6 making an emotional request that one member change their vote to squash the sale.
“The whole land sale discussion was an eye-opener for me,” he said in a statement. “I have learned many lessons from this recent experience –first and foremost is the need to listen and respect the will of the residents – and to be as transparent as possible – even when making tough decisions.”
Casey is a retired assistant deputy comptroller for the State of New York with 35 years of state employment. He is a 12 year school board member with three years as board vice president and four as the president.
Also announcing her intention to run for a seat on the board was newcomer Alexandra Blais. She turned in all the required paper work to district headquarters Tuesday.
Blais is a former Shenendehowa student and director of public policy for the Home Care Association of New York State. She is married to a Shen teacher.
In a statement announcing her candidacy she said she is a mother of two children under three years of age and feels that the school board should include representation from parents of future Shenendehowa students.
“Decisions made now take time to implement and have lasting impact,” she said in a statement. “I have a vested interest in the strategic direction of this school district. While many Board candidates each year are part of the existing district establishment, that is what sets me apart. I represent a large cohort of parents with young children, not yet formally engaged with the district, and also the community at large.”
Anyone wishing to run
for the two seats on the board must have their nominating petitions in to the district office by 5 p.m. April 18. Forms can be picked up in the office. Each seat carries a three year term. There is no salary.
The school budget vote and board of education election will be held on 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. May 16 in the Gowana Middle School gym.