Consider Serving on Board of Education

Although school districts nationwide are seeing a decline in the number of people interested in serving on school boards, we in the Rush-Henrietta Central School District have been lucky to have dedicated, well-qualified board members serve our community.

Our Board of Education consists of seven citizens, each serving three-year terms. While mindful of doing what is best for our children, we advocate on behalf of the community. We ask that you consider volunteering your time and talents to serve as a member of our local school board.

As school board members, we shape the school district by creating policy, choosing the superintendent and guiding district leadership, setting academic expectations for students, and approving the proposed budget presented to voters each May. We set high standards for achievement and help establish ways to measure student success, making sure that resources are reallocated as necessary to keep students advancing.

Being a school board member is gratifying, but the work isn’t easy or glamorous. Duties include visiting schools early in the morning, and attending meetings late at night. Some people who consider a school board run are discouraged at the thought of this heavy workload. We’d be happy to talk to you and lend advice based on our experiences.

We encourage you to consider running for the Rush-Henrietta Board of Education. We’re especially seeking people who will bring energy and new ideas, and a desire to serve the community as a member of a team. If you’d like more information, please call Scott Adair, board president, at 329-9182 or e-mail him here. Thank you for your continued support.

School Board Member Qualifications

Per School Law, to qualify for membership on a school board in a common, union free, central, central high school, or small city school district, an individual:

• Must be able to read and write.
• Must be a qualified voter of the district; that is, a citizen of the United States, at least 18 years of age or older, and not adjudged to be an incompetent. (Note: a convicted felon is barred from running for a seat on a school board if his or her maximum prison sentence has not expired or if he or she has not been pardoned or discharged from parole.)
• Must be and have been a resident (but need not be a taxpayer) of the district for a continuous and uninterrupted period of at least one year immediately before the election.
• May not have been removed from any school district office within the preceding year.
• May not reside with another member of the same school board as a member of the same family.
• May not be a current employee of the school board.
• May not simultaneously hold another incompatible public office.

If you have questions, please contact Cheryl Castronovo, school district clerk, at 359-5010.