School board ballots shaping up in eastern Niagara County districts
Apr. 24—School trustee contests in local non-city school districts are taking shape on the May 21 ballot.
Elections for school board seats are competitive in several school districts in eastern Niagara County. In all districts, a full term of office for a school trustee is three years.
In the Barker district, there will be five candidates running for three open seats. Incumbents Randy Atwater, board president, Candice Gancasz and Virginia Voss are all seeking re-election. They will face challengers Jessica Stewart-Rohring and Stephanie M. Williams, according to district clerk Mary Eadie.
In the Newfane district, incumbents Anthony Casinelli and Emma Oudette, Rachel Maziarz and Corrie Murray are vying for three open board seats, according to district clerk Crystal Frank.
Incumbent Margaux Benoit is not running for re-election.
Among all candidates in the Newfane race, the two who receive the most votes will be elected to three-year terms of office that take effect July 1. The candidate who receives the third highest number of votes will serve a one-year term of office that takes effect immediately after the election. The one-year trustee will complete the term of former trustee Noah Everett, who resigned in June 2023.
In the Starpoint district, four candidates are running for three board seats, those held by Gregory Brehem, Michelle Leuer and Jason Madden.
Madden and Leuer are running for re-election and will face challengers Lisa Kankolenski and Jonathan Kinmartin, according to district clerk Dorothy Szpaicher.
In the Royalton-Hartland district, incumbent trustee Jason Wilhelm and newcomer Alan Casey are the candidates for two open board seats, according to district clerk Jenna Snell. Incumbent David Huntington is not running for re-election.
In the Wilson district, incumbent Christopher Carlin, board president, and Bethzaida Hart are the candidates for two open board seats. Incumbent Tracey Kent is not running for re-election.
