Melstein Seeks Seat On Ossining School Board

OSSINING, NY — The annual school board elections are coming up May 17, and five people are running for two seats on the Ossining Board of Education.

Maureen Boozang-Hill, Christine Mangiamele, Robert Melstein and Aidan Venuto are on the ballot, as is Melissa Banta, seeking a second term. Trustee Aaron Spring is not running for re-election.

Melstein, father of an elementary-schooler, said on his website he would bring his communications background to the board to encourage the district to detail more clearly what's going on in the schools academically and socially and show how these efforts are leading to specific data-driven learning and mental wellness goals.

Melstein answered some questions from Patch about his candidacy.

PATCH: Why are you running for school board?

MELSTEIN: My wife and I have been Ossining residents since 2010. We have one son in third grade at Claremont School. And if you ask our son this question, he would answer, “Daddy is running so my friends and I can have more recess and lunch time!” But broadly, I’m running because my wife and I want to give back to our wonderful community and support all children of the Ossining School District.

While I am new to the prospect of elected office, I have been highly engaged with our excellent schools since our son started in kindergarten and I have participated in most Board meetings since early 2020. I have also been involved in a variety of local volunteer activities including AYSO Soccer as an Assistant Regional Commissioner and Head Coach, JCYS Baseball Assistant Coach, Ossining Recreation Center Basketball Coach, PTA Board Delegate and Class Parent and a former member of the Ossining Business Development Council.

My 25+ years of marketing, communications, data and project management experience, combined with my community involvement gives me the opportunity to bring a fresh set of ideas and perspective for Ossining schools.

PATCH: What are the top issues facing the Ossining school district?

MELSTEIN: We have great schools in Ossining. We are fortunate to have an excellent staff that’s caring, kind and dedicated to the success of our students. Like many school districts, there is always a balance between being fiscally responsible and ensuring our students and staff have what they need to succeed.

Key parts of my platform include:

• Improving literacy, especially around reading, math and personal finance
• Expanding skilled trade and vocational education, through BOCES and local internships
• Holding the line on school taxes, while maintaining a fiscally responsible budget with appropriate reserves that supports student success
• Using data to direct resources to initiatives that are working and redirect from those that aren’t
• Supporting energy efficiency, including money-saving solar panels
• Ensuring students and staff have a safe learning environment and mental health support
• Creating stronger connections and enhancing communication between the families, the District and School Board and elevating successes of our schools beyond Ossining

PATCH: If you are running against an incumbent, what has he or she done or not done with which you disagree?

MELSTEIN: There are two seats up for election on the Ossining School Board during this cycle. One incumbent is running for reelection and the other seat is vacated.

Every decision that the Board makes should be based on facts, data and careful analysis. We owe this to our children, staff and taxpayers. This is the approach I will take. We all may have differences of opinion and we should be able to have spirited, healthy dialogue. I have attended some Board meetings that have gotten heated; the issues brought to the Board are important and can lead to passionate discussion. But I believe we can partner more effectively to come to resolutions. I’ve done this effectively throughout my personal and professional life.

I will work with and listen to all stakeholders – including families, teachers, staff and taxpayers – and bring an independent, non-partisan, problem-solving and collaborative mindset to the Ossining School Board.

Please come out to vote on May 17 at Ossining High School. For more information on my candidacy, please visit my website or Facebook page. You can also email me
at rob@robforboe.com

Editor's Note: Christine Mangiamele is one of the people running for school board in Ossining. Her name was misspelled in the original version of this report. Patch regrets the error.