Below are candidate biographies, provided by the candidates, in the order they will appear on the ballot. Click on the names linked below to skip to that candidate.

Justin Murphy | Ed Gorr | Dan Johnston | James Buck | Elizabeth Williams | Nicole Park | Tasse Niforatos | Tom Ward | Joe Langan | Kourtni Guzzo | Chris Tuleweit | Amy LeRoy | Jill Smith | Gary Dahlman | Roy Rogers | Shawn Dutcher | Dan Smith | Rick Martin | Amanda Krause

My name is Justin Murphy, I am the father of 3 amazing children that all attend RCS and will be lifetime students of the new combined school district. My wife Kelly and I are both RCS graduates. I have been a NYS Correction Officer for almost 12 years, and I run a small landscaping and handyman business. Between these 2 careers I encounter people from all walks of life and have developed exceptional decision making and people skills. On the subject of the merger of RCS and LMCS districts I'd like to say this.

Essentially, from what I understand, is both school districts found themselves under intense financial crisis due to the way state aid is calculated and the cost of handling education with today's regulations. Both districts found themselves at a crossroads not just financially but educationally and have decided to act for the betterment of the education of current and future students. The decision has been made and it's time to move forward and ensure what's best for the students is made the top priority at ALL times. With that being said, I am running for a position on the new board of education. I will have open eyes and ears to all involved with the entire school system. There will be many difficult decisions to be made in the coming months and years that will build the foundation and future of the newly formed district. I will approach making these tough decisions as I do with every large decision I encounter in my life, very cautious and carefully. I will do my best to view every issue from all sides and make sure I understand fully what the decision means to all the people it affects currently and in the future.

Admittedly I was skeptical in the early stages of this process. I wasn’t satisfied with the amount of information I was receiving and needed more questions answered before I could vote yes on such a sensitive issue. This skepticism is exactly why I feel I’ll make an excellent B.O.E member. I simply am not satisfied with making the easiest choice without first understanding all of the consequences. I have been intently involved with this process from the beginning stages, I was a member of the original merger committee, have spent countless hours in discussions with current and past board members and the administration, ensuring every single question was asked and thoroughly answered and will continue to do so as a board member if elected. For the future of our beloved communities and children please consider me on the ballot on February 13th . Feel free to reach out to me as well if you have any questions on my stances on any specific subjects, I'm open and honest. Thank you.

As a lifelong resident of Livingston Manor and a proud parent of two high school students, I am deeply invested in the success of our schools and community. Since joining the Board of Education in July 2024, my goal has been to bring transparency, accountability, and open communication to our district. I believe that our students, families, and all stakeholders deserve to be informed and have a voice in the decisions that shape our schools.

One of my biggest priorities has been pushing for livestreaming board meetings so that families can stay engaged and informed. I believe that accessibility and transparency are key to building trust and ensuring that our community is involved in the educational process.

Now, as we move forward with the merger of our district, we are faced with an incredible opportunity but also a great responsibility. The creation of a new school district must be carefully thought out, ensuring that we remain fiscally responsible while also providing the best possible opportunities for our students. Every decision we make must prioritize both financial sustainability and student success.

I am not afraid to ask the tough questions. If you’ve attended any LMCS board meetings, you know that I never settle for the status quo. I take my role seriously, asking critical questions before making decisions, because I believe our students and community deserve thoughtful, well-reasoned leadership.

As we navigate this transition, I am committed to making sure that every aspect of the merger is considered from academics and extracurriculars to facilities and staffing. This is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to create a district that truly serves our students and community, and I want to ensure it is done the right way.

I ask for your support so that together, we can build a strong, transparent, and student-centered new district.

My name is Daniel K. Johnston, and I am running for a position on newly merged Livingston Manor Roscoe school board. I am a Roscoe Central School graduate and proud alumni. After graduating from RCS, I attended and graduated from the Villanova School of Business with a degree in finance.

After graduating from Villanova, I returned home and worked for 30 plus years for my family’s wholesale bluestone and hardwood lumber corporation, Johnston & Rhodes. I now own and operate my own wholesale bluestone company, Springbrook Bluestone. I have been a volunteer assistant coach for the Livingston Manor Roscoe modified football and basketball teams. I have served on the Roscoe Central School Board for the past 4 years and hope to continue that commitment for the newly merged district. I raised my hand in favor of both merger votes as I firmly believe it is the best thing for the children and taxpayers of both communities. In running for the new board, I want to be accountable to the students and taxpayers. During my 30 years of being involved with private business, I am very familiar with budgets, payrolls and personnel. I have learned a lot in the time I have already spent on the school board and look forward to continuing to make the merged district the best it can be for the students it serves. My biggest concern facing the newly formed district is the short term financial decisions that need to be made to impact the students immediately. There is a lot of work that needs to be done between now and the start of the 2025-26 school year so the students can reap the benefits of the merger immediately, while managing the tax burden on the community, especially those on a fixed income. I am not opposed to the possibility of using experienced efficiency experts and accounting firms to realize the best use of the district funds without being wasteful. It is important that both districts are represented in the voting and I believe experience is valuable during this crucial transition. Please consider voting for me on February 13.

I am a lifelong resident of Livingston Manor and a proud 1996 graduate of LMCS. I understand the values and needs of our communities. As a father of three and an engaged community volunteer, I care deeply about ensuring that our students receive a top-tier education. My own public school education, as a student at both Livingston Manor and Roscoe Central schools has shaped my life and I want to ensure that today’s students have access to strong academics, athletics, and a variety of extra-curricular activities.

With six years experience on the Livingston Manor Board of Education and the last three years as Board President, I bring essential experience to the newly formed Board of Education. I have firsthand knowledge of a board’s role and responsibilities, budgeting, education funding, and education law, which are all critical for ensuring a smooth transition for our new district. My experience as a small business owner and my position as an Environmental Specialist with the NYS Department of Transportation give me valuable insight into fiscal responsibility, problem solving, and long-term planning.

I have a long history of community service and leadership, including:

• Former Captain of the Livingston Manor Fire Department

• Past Member of the Livingston Manor Volunteer Ambulance Corps

• Past President of the Sullivan County Volunteer Firefighter’s Association

• Former AYSO Regional Board Member, representing Livingston Manor/Roscoe youth

  soccer programs

• Current Livingston Manor Rotarian, serving four terms as president over the past 25 years

The new Livingston Manor - Roscoe School District presents opportunities and challenges, and we need experienced leadership to navigate them successfully. My priorities include ensuring that students receive a high quality education that prepares them for success, prioritizing school safety and student well-being, providing support for teachers and staff, and making smart financial decisions that keep our schools strong without overburdening taxpayers.

Some of the greatest challenges facing the new district are merging operations and administration, determining the best use of our facilities and transportation logistics, uniting two communities with distinct traditions, rivalries, and identities, aligning teacher contracts between the two districts, ensuring that our students have access to a broad range of courses and electives, and evaluating and managing state funding impacts and potential cost savings from the merger.

This is a pivotal moment for our district, and it requires experienced leadership. My record of collaboration, problem-solving, and putting students first makes me uniquely qualified to guide this transition successfully. I am committed to ensuring our newly formed district is stronger together and provides the best possible education for all students. I look forward to working with the community to build a unified, thriving school district. I ask for your support in this important election.

I am Elizabeth Williams, running for a seat on the newly merged School Board.

I am the mother of three LMCS students who benefit from the wonderful opportunities at both LMCS and Roscoe.  I am a small business owner, the daughter of an educator, and an engaged community member.  As a student, my school merged, changing its name and mascot; I understand the complex feelings that accompany this transition.  

My background in the performing arts has taught me the invaluable skills of listening, collaborating, problem-solving, and leadership—qualities that are essential to navigating the challenges and opportunities of this merger.

To merge successfully we will need to work together to ensure no one is left behind.  Many students previously experienced an interruption to their education due to the pandemic.  Therefore, it is essential that this merger be executed with precision, so they don’t miss further educational milestones and so families feel supported.

I will advocate for the arts which help our students develop critical thinking, empathy, and self-esteem, while  enhancing academic performance and offering safe spaces for expression.  I believe in meeting each student where they are and recognize that schools that offer training to support learning differences become leaders in education and are recognized as such.

I support programs that help our children navigate emotional and mental health challenges, including informed conversations about substance use and dialogues about screen-time and social media.  Facilitating group discussions empowers our children to navigate this terrain responsibly, supporting one another along the way.

This stands as a moment for our town to inspire a new legacy for generations to come.  Dialogue now and moving forward should embrace everyone in our school community: parents, teachers, athletes, artists, performers, and scholars, because the decisions of today directly impact the world tomorrow.  Our Children Are Our Future.

I'm a Livingston Manor graduate with many fond memories of attending a small k-12 school district. However the new district will not bring us to the number of students that attended LMCS when I was in school. I hold a Bachelor's degree in Human Ecology Child and Family Studies, and a Masters Degree in Education. I am a certified teacher in three different areas ranging from birth-12th grade. I received my first teaching job from LMCS, unfortunately the school fell on hard times in 2010 and I was excessed due to budget cuts. So I understand the feelings of uncertainty that teachers might be feeling with the new merger. I've been the Early Childhood Education Teacher at Sullivan BOCES Career and Tech program for the last 10 years. I currently educate juniors and seniors and give them a glimpse into the world of teaching.

Before joining the LMCS board in 2023 I was part of the 2022 Merger Study committee. This school year marks my 2nd year as an LMCS board member. I have always been pro merger because I've seen what students are missing out on due to the lack of opportunities in their district. So although I am fairly new as a board member I feel that the knowledge I have gained throughout both merger studies will make me a great asset to the new board. I think that one of the biggest challenges that the new district faces is the loss of the old districts. I think that as we move forward it is extremely important for the community to continue to play a part in the Merger decisions and to make sure that they are heard. Items like the district name, mascot and school colors played a giant part of our school history. Therefore meetings should be set up for ALL community members to come in and have open discussions relating to these topics with the new board members. I feel that this would help to unite the two communities.

So why run for the new board? I think my teaching background as well as my connection to the LMCS and RCS communities gives me a uniquely different viewpoint. I have children, nieces and nephews that attend both of these districts. I want to make sure that what we promised the community during the merger meetings is what happens.

I want to ensure that our children receive the best possible education that we can provide them by offering more opportunities than they previously had. To support our teachers and TA's with the transition process of the merger (moving, class sizes and salaries) all while being financially responsible. Lastly but equally important is that I promise to continue to be the voice of the community.

I, Tasse Niforatos, a proud Roscoe resident for 55 years, have been deeply involved in our community, both personally and professionally. My family has owned the Roscoe Diner since 1969, and I’ve had the privilege of being its owner since 1988. A graduate of Roscoe Central School in 1985, I have dedicated the past 19 years as a school board member and 15 years serving on the Riverview Cemetery Board. As a hardworking family and business man, my commitment to our community runs deep.

As a school board member, I always tried to make decisions with the best interests of our students, staff, and community in mind, always striving to balance fiscal responsibility with academic excellence. I am certain that with the right leadership, our school merger will bring enhanced education and extracurricular opportunities that will attract new families to our district and help grow our student population. I would be honored to continue serving as a member of the Board of Education in the newly merged district.   I ask for your vote on February 13th to help guide our schools toward a successful future.

In 1979, one of my first memories as a child, I recall walking with my mother to the Livingston Manor Central School (LMCS) for a kindergarten registration event for some purpose that I do not recall. I was a four (4) year old child on a mission. I met a classmate that day, with who I became friends for a time. The closeness did not last all that long in years, but we were always friendly, familiar, and respectful of each other through our high school graduation. I had many friends and acquaintances between kindergarten and the twelfth grade that I will never forget. At graduation in 1992, when we all departed on our independent life assignments, I promised myself that I would never forget the experiences with my classmates and the school community. I fulfilled that statement, as I am honored to live, work, and raise my children in our communities.

I have a son with special education needs in the district, who benefits from a qualified staff and administration. I also have a daughter who excels in class, sports, and music that benefits from the same supportive school.

Pertaining to the responsibilities of the new school board, I respect and wish the best for all students from the valedictorians(s), kindergartens, and special education children, considering budget, efficiency, and opportunity.

As we approach this new combined school district as one (1) whole community that is united to support the young, ambitious, and curious boys, girls, young women, and young men, I want the two (2) communities to inspire a group of dependable men and women to enforce the desires of the new district. As a new school board member, I will prioritize the education and opportunities for the children in an effective, efficient, and financially responsible way, utilizing any and all means, resources, and infrastructure available to best serve the children and communities.

Joe Langan is a dedicated educational advocate who is running for a position on the Board of Education (BOE) for the newly merged Roscoe-Livingston Manor School District. A long-time resident of the area, Joe is committed to ensuring that the newly unified district provides high-quality education and fosters an environment of collaboration and growth.

Joe’s background is in K-12 education as both an Industrial Arts teacher and a central office administrator. He brings a practical, solutions-focused approach to his work. With a strong belief in the power of education to transform lives, Joe had a 32-year career in public schools located in New York State. His focus was always on programs promoting academic success, mental health, and extracurricular opportunities. He takes great pride that he is still in contact with many of his former students.

As a candidate for the new Livingston Manor and Roscoe CSD Board of Education, Joe’s priorities include enhancing academic standards, ensuring financial transparency, and creating a more inclusive and supportive environment for all students, teachers, and staff. He is particularly passionate about advocating for students with diverse learning needs and pushing for greater resources to support them. He also aims to strengthen communication between the district and the community, encouraging community involvement in shaping the district’s future.

Joe’s approach to leadership is one of collaboration, believing that effective education is the result of strong partnerships between schools, families, and local businesses. He has served on the Roscoe Central School board for the past two years, gaining valuable experience in decision-making, budgeting, and navigating complex issues directly related to the Roscoe district.

If elected, Joe is committed to working tirelessly for the success of all students in the newly merged district, helping to build a stronger, more united educational community for Roscoe and Livingston Manor.

For those of you that may not know me, my name is Kourtni Guzzo. I am a born and raised Roscoe native. My parents, brother, sister, and cousins are all Roscoe School graduates. It is a place I hold near and dear to my heart. It is one of the places that have helped to shape me into the person I am today. After high school, I ventured south to North Carolina for about 10 years. Through that journey I was able to reflect on what an incredible life I had here in the Catskills, and wanted to return to our community to give my son the same wonderful experience.

I am not a college graduate, I have never held a fancy corporate position, I am not what you would call a conventionally professional person, but I am a down to earth hard working person, and I care deeply about my community. I currently hold a managerial position at a local business. Having held other positions in the past, I have developed different skills and experiences which have allowed me to be the well-rounded person I am today. I have done everything from waiting tables, to landscaping and being a veterinary technician for 6 years.

I have decided to run for school board for numerous reasons. Many of my friends, like me, have kids in the current Roscoe School system. I want to ensure our voices are heard and to be able to help facilitate the new merger with LMCS with as much positive support as we can. I am first and foremost a mother, a mother of an incredibly smart young man. His future and that of all students is my greatest concern. We all want the same thing for them, and we must remember that as a board, that’s what we are here for. I want to be able to see firsthand that the issues most important to parents and students are top priority with our board. I believe subjects like art and music are a crucial part of the school program for a lot of kids. It is an outlet for them to be free and expressive in a time when creativity feels like it’s at an all-time low. Making sure the “extras” are available to all children is of utmost importance. Opening and expanding their minds through the programs we can provide them with will only help them later in life. Offering more advanced programs for advanced students would ensure even our most brilliant youth can feel academically challenged and appreciated. There are a lot of other schools across the country that have more advanced curriculum than our current program allows for, and I want to help us get on that level! Being from a rural area should not discount the potential of these incredible kids.

It was truly one of the greatest pleasures of my life being raised here, around a community that cared for and looked out for me. From small classrooms with teachers who knew your middle names, to small communities that told your parents when you were up to no good, this new Roscoe/Manor merger will be that for our kids too. Our once rival communities will now be one, and that is a great feeling to know that my child will have an even bigger community by his side. It is my hope that we can take on this opportunity and many others together for the betterment of our children.

I have been a lifelong resident to Livingston Manor. I have made my career as a chef at the Riverside Cafe Lodge in Roscoe for more than 27 year, as well as 30+ year self-employed owner of TNT Landscaping.

My Commitment to the community is evident by my volunteering in various organizations.  I am an  active 29+ year member of the Livingston Manor Fire Department. My roles there have included the duty of Chief and Training Officer. Both have required hours of classroom training and hands on experience, and retraining for a safe team.  I'm also a member of the Livingston Manor Rotary Club and currently hold the position of Treasurer. Other previous volunteer memberships have included the Livingston Manor Volunteer Ambulance (EMT, Driver & past treasurer) and St Aloysius Church Council.

I am currently a 1st year Board member of the Livingston Manor Central School District.

In the role of School Board Member, I'm for the Students: from academics to athletics, looking to ensure students have community involvements.  Our communities are proud of our schools and their students from the architecture to its educators.  I am a team player with financial experience, I understand the need to be fiscally responsible. 

Our children are our future. I will support and ensure they are set up for success.

I reside within the district with my wife and stepchildren.

My name is Amy LeRoy. My family and I moved to Livingston Manor in 2009. Two of our children graduated from the Manor school, and we currently have a daughter who is a junior.

For the past two years, I have faithfully attended and participated in the Manor school board meetings, many times being the only community member/parent in attendance. I have not been afraid to speak out on issues or propose solutions.

I have been employed at New Hope Community for the past 16 years and I currently serve as the Director of Staff Training and Advocacy. My past and present experience provides me with a variety of skills that I feel will be helpful as we move to bring two distinct communities and educational cultures together into one viable school system.

As an advocate, I have had to fight the Medicaid system to ensure people with disabilities have services that improve their quality of life. This requires me to be creative, resourceful, and solve problems that don’t have clear solutions. As a board member, I will ensure that I use these same qualities to advocate through the merger process, to include the input of staff, teachers and students to ensure all parties have a voice.

As an auditor for the Joint Commission, I had to apply complicated regulations in a fair and consistent manner and have a critical eye for detail. As a board member, I will work to ensure that we are good stewards of funding so that it is used appropriately and in ways that can be sustained long term.

As a previous educator, and someone who has worked for the past 27 years with people with various disabilities, I understand the difficulty of meeting the social, emotional and educational challenges of students. As a board member, I will work to ensure that teachers and students are provided with the support they need to be successful, and that additional educational opportunities will be implemented and expanded upon.

I apologize that I am unable to attend the meet and greet sessions, as I’m currently in Colorado spending time with my first grandbaby, but I would certainly love to answer any questions you might have. Please do not hesitate to reach out to me at amiamicane@yahoo.com.

As the current Vice President of the LMCS Board and a candidate for the newly formed Livingston Manor-Roscoe Board of Education, I have consistently prioritized the well-being, safety, and inclusivity of our students. My dedication to these principles is deeply personal, as I am a parent to both a special ed student and a child in general education. This dual perspective has given me firsthand insight into the diverse challenges and triumphs experienced by children across the educational spectrum.

In addition to being a former teacher, I have successfully run a small business for the past 11 years. This background gives me a unique combination of experience—I understand the inner workings of a school from an educator’s perspective, while also bringing strong skills in public relations, marketing, and creative problem-solving as an entrepreneur. These abilities have been particularly valuable during my time on the board, helping me communicate effectively, navigate challenges, and advocate for practical, forward-thinking solutions.

Although I have long supported the merging of our two districts, I fully recognize the challenges that will arise, particularly in the first few years of reorganization. I’ve thoroughly familiarized myself with the recommendations from the 2022 merger study, but I am equally committed to listening to the community. I want to ensure that the voices of parents, students, and community members shape our district's future.

As a current board member, I have made it a priority to stay informed on the struggles and solutions modern schools face. I attend the New York State School Boards Association (NYSSBA) annual conference each year, as well as seminars relevant to our district’s needs, ensuring that I bring fresh perspectives and up-to- date knowledge to every decision we make.

Throughout my tenure, I’ve been committed to accessibility—responding to emails and phone calls, addressing concerns, and providing support where needed. If reelected, I will continue to be an available resource and a dedicated advocate. For me, this is so much more than being a board member. It's about being a responsive public servant, ensuring that your voice is heard and your concerns are addressed.

I have been a member of the Roscoe Board of Education for 26+ years. I have seen the cost of education along with everything else rise dramatically over the years. The state funding has not kept up with the rate of increase and has made it increasingly difficult to survive as a small school district.

The number of children that families have, the state population continuing to decrease and the lack of employment opportunities have all added to the decrease in the number of students in schools all over rural New York state.

Livingston Manor and Roscoe have worked together for many years to save money in areas that would not affect educational programs. But that has not been able to keep up with increasing costs. All of this is what hasbrought us to where we are today.

By merging together both communities have shown the importance of a quality education. If elected to the newly created Board of Education I bring many years of experience and hours of training to work towards something that I believe in very strongly. We have an opportunity to not only maintain but to increase the quality of education in both communities.

My name is Roy Rogers Jr. I am running for the Livingston Manor-Roscoe Central School board of education. I’m a lifelong resident of Livingston Manor.

In 2002 I graduated from Livingston Manor and furthered my education at SUNY Delhi with a degree in applied science. For the past eleven years I have been a full time employee of Sullivan County. While being employed by Sullivan County I have had the honor to be elected as the Secretary as well as the Treasurer for the union that I represent. In addition I am the owner of a small business that specializes in logging and construction.

Providing all the students with the very best education at the lowest cost to the taxpayers is why I am running for the board of education. The immense time it will take to make this school the best is something I am prepared to dedicate to.

Part of the duties of that board are to be fiscally responsible to taxpayers and dedicating every cent for the best education for our future, our children. I, myself, have three children. One has already graduated from Livingston Manor and two more are currently enrolled there. Education is of utmost importance while striving to offer extracurricular activities like sports and clubs. The new board of education should be able to offer extracurricular activities while remaining financially responsible to the taxpayers. Our students are our future, so providing them with the tools for success is a necessity.

The entire act of building a new school district in five months will be an immense challenge in itself. From hiring staff to educate the students, to figuring out how to provide transportation to the students while not having to be on the buses for hours. If elected to the Livingston Manor - Roscoe Central School board of education I will make sure to work with the elected board and the community to ensure this new school district is a renowned place of education.

A normal school board has the duty of making important decisions. This new school board is tasked with starting a whole new school district in a very short time frame considering the monumental task needed to be achieved.

Residents are urged to come vote on February 13, 2025. I am asking for your vote so I can be part of making this new school the very best it can be. Thank you in advance.

I am Shawn Dutcher and I am excited to announce that I am running for the School Board of Education. I’m a parent with three children currently in the district and a long-standing member of the Livingston Manor community. In our community I have volunteered as an AYSO Soccer coach and Cal Ripken Little league Coach for many years helping our young children learn teamwork and self-confidence.

I have served our country for the last 28 years in the Airforce and Air National Guard as an Aircraft Maintainer, Supervisor and, First Sergeant.

As a currently serving member of the military, I know firsthand the importance of good leadership, service, commitment, and a good work ethic. I will work tirelessly in the formation of our new school district, and I believe practical, common-sense based solutions will address issues directly and efficiently.

I am committed to improving the quality of our children’s education and want to expand educational courses and extra-curricular activities to promote student advancement and encourage growth for students and staff. While the merger has provided additional funding, I feel we need to be fiscally responsible when creating the newly formed schools budget.

During this critical time with many important decisions to be made I will ensure open lines of communication with students, administrators, parents and staff to support what the community, Staff and students want for the merger of the two schools. I understand that taking two individual schools that each have their own identities and uniting them as one will be one of the biggest challenges the Board will face but I also feel that this will offer so many new opportunities for our children. In closing, I am devoted to making decisions that are in the best interest of our children and the future of our school.

Fellow community members and voters, I am looking forward to the opportunity to serve on the school board of our newly combined district. I am a lifelong resident of both Livingston Manor and Roscoe. I have attended both school districts and I am a graduate of LMCS. I have previously served on the LMCS board and am a past president of the board. The task of the seven individuals elected to these positions will have ap tremendous responsibility in making sure that things are done with an open mind and the best interest of our students and community in mind.

I look forward to the input from what I’m sure will be several committees, that will be established in order to provide insightful ideas on how to help form the new district.

Going forward, I hope all seven members elected Will work together with open minds and no preconceived notions or agendas of what needs to happen next.

We have wonderful schools here with great staff, and I’m sure there will be many ideas provided from the community and staff. With these ideas we can put together a well-conceived plan moving forward.

My wife and I have raised our family here and both of our sons are proud graduates of LMCS and have careers strongly rooted in the community. I believe serving on a school board is a great responsibility and the opportunity to give back to your community with the time and effort it will require to do the job properly.

I currently am a retired NYS Correction Officer having served 27 years. I now work as an Armed Security Officer with Garnet Health in Harris, NY and an armed security guard for a private contracting firm. I currently have the enjoyment of working within LMCS school in this capacity.

I have previously served as a member of our local ambulance corps along with numerous years of coaching within our community’s youth sport teams. Being a volunteer within our community has always been a great source of pride and is a rewarding feeling. I would appreciate the opportunity to serve our new school district if elected by our community voters.

My name is Rick Martin, and I am running for the board of education in the new Roscoe – Livingston Manor merged school district. A little bit about me. I have lived in Roscoe for almost 10 years. I am a college math professor at SUNY Broome in Binghamton and my wife teaches in the high school in Fallsburg. We currently have two kids in the elementary school here in Roscoe, we have another who will start pre-K next year and a fourth who should be born next month, so we are very invested in this district!

Much of our extra time is spent in church activity. We attend church at Vine and Branch Free Methodist in Liberty, NY. These parts of my life have given me many experiences that I believe would help me if I am chosen to serve on the new board of ed, including:

• I have served on policy making committees in my college as a

  representative of all of the STEM Faculty.

• I currently serve on the board of administration in my church

• I am the sound tech at church and lead the team that manages

  all of our sound, video, streaming, website and app work.

• I led and operated a home church of around 25-30 people that

  met in our living room on Mondays for a year and a half.

• I have been actively involved in the PTA for the last 2-3 years.

• I have attended most of the board of ed and merger related

  meetings in Roscoe for the last 2 years.

In these roles I have had experience working with groups of people to achieve common goals, I have had to determine what policy should be and how it should be written to work most effectively, I have had to make budget decisions and determine when the church should and should not spend the money that people give it stewardship over, and I have had to do these things while representing the interests of diverse groups of people. And as an educator with elementary-aged kids, I value the education we can provide and am personally invested in this new district.

I believe the most difficult thing we will need to overcome in this process is community identity. We will need to embrace the fact that we are a new district, representing two proud communities. Making sure that the interests of both communities are heard and given importance in the decision-making process will be crucial if we are going to fairly use the funds and resources that the district will have. If elected I promise to use social media to leave a channel of communication open to members of both communities so that every voice can be heard. Both communities bring a lot to this table, and I want our kids to be as proud of this new district as many of you are of the schools you grew up in.

I am running for this position because I believe it is a very important time for our kids. As an educator and a parent, I value the education we can provide. I want to make sure that the merger is focused on the benefit of our kids. I want to make sure it is fair and reasonable to people from both communities. I want to make sure that our plan for moving forward is fiscally responsible, both in the short term and with an eye on the long term. I want to make sure that in this new district we protect a parent’s rights to know what is happening in the school, and I want to make sure parents can teach their own children about certain socio-political issues in line with the culture of their own home and at a time that they deem to be age appropriate. If you vote for me, I will do my best to see all of these things happen.

My name is Amanda Krause, and I am proud to live in Livingston Manor with my three children. I am a phlebotomist at Garnet Health Medical Center - Catskills, where I have developed a strong commitment to serving our community. As a parent and dedicated professional, I am running for a position on the Livingston Manor-Roscoe Board of Education because I believe it is essential to ensure that the transition to our newly merged district occurs with minimal disruption to our children’s education. I am deeply committed to promoting equality for all families in our community, ensuring every student has the resources to thrive and prepare for their future.

I graduated from Livingston Manor High School and continued my education at SCCC, where I earned a degree in Hospitality and Business Management. After completing my studies, I married my husband, who was from Livingston Manor and attended LMCS. He proudly served in the military and was honorably discharged.

Together we decided to raise our children in Livingston Manor, where they would attend LMCS. I wanted my children to experience the same sense of community and belonging I cherished during my upbringing.

As a parent of two children who have graduated from LMCS, one of whom graduated a year early as the salutatorian. I have firsthand experience with the educational programs and opportunities offered in our district. I currently have a daughter in the fifth grade, which keeps me connected to the needs of our younger students. I have also navigated the complexities of supporting a child with a 504 plan, as well as advocating for my other child, who took advantage of college courses available to him. These experiences give me a unique perspective on the educational landscape and the variety of needs within our student population.

If I were to be elected to the new Livingston Manor-Roscoe board, I would be committed to ensuring that every student has access to high-quality education that meets their individual needs. I believe that educational equity is fundamental, and it is essential to create an environment where all students, regardless of their background or circumstances, have the resources and support necessary to succeed.