Schools

Two Incumbents Not Seeking Reelection To School Board, Others Still Deciding

Nominating petitions are due back next month; The annual election is May 21.

Petitions are beginning to circulate for those planning a run for school board. Nominating petitions are due back to the district clerks no later than April 22 at 5 p.m., about one month before the May 21 budget votes and school board elections.

In the Springs School District, two seats are up and neither of the incumbents are seeking reelection. Kathee Burke Gonzalez, the current board president, and Teresa Schurr are stepping down at the end of June.

Burke Gonzalez has served for nine years. She was first elected to the board in May 2004, and has since been reelected twice. She was elected president of the board first in July 2011, and previously served as the vice president since 2009.

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"From my perspective there is no greater honor than to be selected by one’s neighbors to help guide the education of their children while being responsible for millions of dollars of their hard-earned money," she said. "While it has been an incredibly rewarding nine years, the time is right for myself and my family. But I do hope the time will come when I’ll have another opportunity to serve our community."

Schurr has been on the board for six years. Asked why she decided not to seek reelection, she said, "It is just time for someone else to take over. My daughter is a sixth grader and will be participating in more activities so I want the time to spend with my family." She added, "The families of board members sacrifice time with us and should be acknowledged for that. If they were not so supportive I would have been unable to serve. So thank you to Bob and Sammi," referring to her husband and daughter.

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There are three seats up on the East Hampton School Board. They are held by George Aman, the current school board president, Lauren Dempsey and Alison Anderson. The seats are for three year terms each.

Aman said he has not yet decided whether he will run again. Anderson said she is still considering another run. Dempsey did not immediately return a request for comment.

In Amagansett, two seats are up for grabs for three-year terms on the school board. The seats are currently held by John Hossenlopp and Victoria Smudzinski.

While Hossenlopp could not be reached, Smudzinski said she is planning on running again for a third time. "I have invested a great deal of time in training and learning all about being on a school board and how Amagansett in particular runs that I feel it would be irresponsible of me to leave it at this time," she said. "It's such a great school and I'm so happy to be a part of it! I moved out here full time over 10 years ago just so my children could attend Amagansett school. I am invested in the school heart and soul."

In Montauk, Therese Watson's seat expires at the end of June. It's a five year term. Watson did not immediately return a request for comment.

Lastly, in the Wainscott School District, longtime board president Nancy McCaffrey is up for re-election to the three-person board. McCaffrey said she hasn't made a decision yet, though she is considering stepping down. The length of the term is three years long.

Is there anyone you would like to see run for school board? Tell us in the comments below.


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