Meet the Peekskill City School District Board of Education Candidates

The following information has been submitted to the Peekskill City School District by each candidate. The District does not endorse any individual over another. Please exercise your right to vote at our annual School Board Election and Annual Budget Vote on Tuesday, May 16, 2017.

Two, three-year seats are up for election: Incumbent Douglas Glickert and Incumbent Richard Sullivan. Voters will elect two members to the Peekskill City School District Board of Education.

Richard Sullivan (Incumbent):

My name is Richard Sullivan and I am running for the Peekskill City School District Board of Education. I am a theatrical engineer on Broadway and have been a resident of Peekskill for almost 15 years. Previously, I served the children in Pre-K through 1st grade as PTO President from 2012 – 2014. Throughout the last three years as a board member, I have supported an equitable education for all students, regardless of immigration status. In collaboration with my colleagues, I have helped to ensure that we are in compliance with New York State educational policies with respect to our dual language and bilingual programs. I have been active in advocating for funds to support the growing needs of our district, communicating often with elected officials. I have been an active participant in our children’s education.

Each year I spend countless hours in our schools promoting literacy. I have been personally involved in helping to reach the district goal of all students reading at or above grade level. Yes, I am the one our children call “Book Fair Guy!” Not only have I volunteered my time to organize and run all the book fairs at Woodside, Oakside, and Hillcrest, but I have also participated in the district’s reading initiatives and challenges. This included dressing up as Captain America for Super Readers, playing “dad” in a student skit for the literacy kickoff, and frequently visiting elementary classrooms as a guest reader.

I’ve lifted our children’s spirits by being Santa Claus's special helper, dressing as him and visiting the children at Woodside. I've even dressed as Clifford for book fairs at Woodside. I support and endorse as many clubs and activities as possible by either volunteering my time or by making financial contributions. You can find me cheering on the robotics team at competitions, routing for the Red Devils at sporting events, appreciating the fine talent of our children in the drama program with a standing ovation, and applauding student academic success at National Honor Society induction ceremonies, just to name a few. I have also made financial donations to the PTO and the drama clubs at the middle and high school.

My three years on the board have been dedicated to bringing transparency to the district and working with all stakeholders to ensure that our children’s education is the number one focus in decision making.

My efforts have also been recognized at the state level as I am a recipient of The New York State School Board Association’s “Board Excellence Award.” I look forward to continuing my service to the children as a member of the Peekskill City School District Board of Education.

Branwen MacDonald:

Branwen and her husband Jim have lived in Peekskill for ten years, eight of those as proud parents of Maisie, now in third grade, and Cleo, now in kindergarten. She began her involvement with the school district when her oldest child was still a toddler, volunteering on the Citizens’ School Budget Committee. Since then she has continued to volunteer and advocate within the schools, as well as at the statewide level for increased and more equitable funding for our district. She is a founding member of Peekskill Community for Schools, a group dedicated to strengthening our schools through statewide and local advocacy. She has also served on hiring committees for two building leaders in the district. Branwen brings her experience in graphic design and marketing to efforts to boost communications within and outside of our schools, and aims to increase opportunities for parent and community involvement.

Branwen is running for School Board to make sure all students in Peekskill receive the high quality education they deserve.

Sam North:

Sam North and his wife Julie have lived in Peekskill for twenty years. They are the proud parents of Theo, a fourth grader, and Sage, an eighth grader, both attending the Peekskill City School District. Sam has been a social studies teacher at Ossining High School for the past 17 years, teaching Regents, college level, and Advanced Placement courses. He currently serves on the Ossining Schools Superintendent’s Equity Task Force. Sam was instrumental in bringing a University at Albany course to Peekskill High School through the University in the High School Program. He brings his experience as a parent, an educator, and a Peekskill homeowner and taxpayer to his board candidacy.

Anabeli Gonzales Pomalaya:

My name is Anabeli Gonzales Pomalaya. I'm 40 years old; currently I am full-time mom and part- time independent contractor- volunteer at HRHcare, and I have been a resident of Peekskill for nine years. It is precisely in this city where I have had the most remarkable experiences of my life. In Peekskill, I was able to expand in my professional horizons, to attain the satisfaction of making new friends and the joy of discovering the meaning of true love.

I have been married for one year to my beloved husband and best friend, Galo. As a result of that love our son, Galito, was born. Undoubtedly, becoming a mother has been the greatest propeller in my desire to be part of everything that stimulates developing minds. It was my passion for learning that led me to enter the National University of Central Peru, where I obtained a degree in Pre-School Education. After graduation, I achieved the rewarding experience of being able to work as a preschool teacher for five years in Peru, my home country.

For two consecutive years, 2013-2015, I volunteered for the AmeriCorps Federal Program at the Community Health Corps office that operated at the Hudson River Health Care Center in Peekskill. My role there was to organize health programs and workshops. These programs and workshops were offered at no cost to residents of Peekskill. Their purpose was to educate, integrate and empower the residents of city. Thanks to this service I had the opportunity to participate in the opening of the WEDC Business Development Program in Peekskill. Part of my duties was to offer guidance and assistance to the public, concerning various social and health services. From 2015 to 2016; I functioned coordinating the Health Promoters Program and the Latino Committee Coordinator that operates at the Hudson River Health Care Health Center; which extended upon the position and work that I started as a volunteer.

During my service as a volunteer and being part of the staff at the Peekskill Health Center; I could establish close relationships with the community. By doing so, it deepened my empathy for the people of Peekskill and all of their various needs. With that previous experience, and now in a different role: a mother and educator; it is my greatest aspiration to continue to serve the entire community of Peekskill.

In order to reach that goal; I am committed to working vigorously to promote a more active participation of the parents in the school environment. I am convinced that working in teams: the schools, parents and community; we will ensure that every student reaches their full potential; guaranteeing improvement in the academic performance of all schools in the City of Peekskill.

Mi nombre es Anabeli Gonzales Pomalaya. Tengo 40 años de edad; actualmente soy mama a tiempo completo y contratista independiente-voluntaria en HRHcare por algunas horas. Hace nueve años que resido en la Ciudad de Peekskill. Es precisamente en esta ciudad donde he tenido las experiencias más hermosas de mi vida. Aquí logré ampliar mis horizontes profesionales. También he tenido la satisfacción de hacer nuevas amistades y descubrir la dicha que brinda conocer el verdadero amor. Actualmente llevo un año unida en matrimonio a mi adorado esposo y amigo, Galo. Producto de ese amor hoy tenemos un niño maravilloso a quien llamamos, Galito.

No cabe duda de que convertirme en madre ha sido el mayor propulsor para querer ser parte de todo aquello que estimula a las mentes en desarrollo. Fue precisamente mi pasión por el aprendizaje lo que me llevó a ingresar a la Universidad Nacional del Centro del Perú, donde obtuve una licenciatura en Educación Preescolar. Tras mi graduación alcancé la gratificante experiencia de poder trabajar como maestra pre-escolar durante cinco años en Perú, mi país de origen.

Durante dos años consecutivos, 2013-2015, ofrecí mis servicios como voluntaria al Programa Federal AmeriCorps, en la sede llamada Community HealthCorps que operaba en el Centro de Salud Hudson River Health Care. Mi rol allí consistía en organizar programas y talleres de Salud, entre otros. Dichos programas y talleres se ofrecían sin costo alguno a los residentes de Peekskill. El objetivo de dichos programas era educar, integrar y empoderar a los residentes de Peekskill. Gracias a esa labor tuve la oportunidad de participar en la apertura del Programa de Desarrollo Empresarial de WEDC en Peekskill. Parte de mis obligaciones era ofrecer orientación y ayuda al público concerniente a diversos servicios sociales y de salud. Desde el año 2015 hasta el 2016 trabajé Coordinando el Programa de Promotores de la Salud y del Comité Latino que operan en el Centro de Salud Hudson River Health Care, extendiendo la labor que inicié como voluntaria.

Durante mi servicio de voluntaria y siendo parte del personal Centro de Salud de Peekskill logré establecer relaciones muy estrechas con la comunidad y al hacerlo ha profundizado mi empatía por sus diversas necesidades. Con esa previa experiencia y ahora en un rol diferente: madre y educadora es mi mayor deseo continuar sirviendo a toda la comunidad de Peekskill. De alcanzar la meta me compromiso a trabajar activamente para impulsar una participación más activa de los padres de familia dentro del ámbito escolar. Estoy convencida de que trabajando coordinadamente en equipo: escuela, padres y comunidad, lograremos que cada estudiante alcance su máximo potencial, enalteciendo el desempeño académico de las escuelas en Peekskill.