Board of Education Candidates

2023-24 SCHOOL BOARD CANDIDATES

Voters will elect three members to the WVCSD Board of Education on Tuesday, May 16, 2023. Polls open from 7:00 am until 9:00 pm. Board members are unpaid and serve three-year terms. The candidates, in the order they will appear on the ballot, are:

• Robert Howe (i)
• Dory Masefield (i)
• John Garcia (i)
• Angel Maysonet
• Adrienne Tveter
• Luis Abramson

Robert Howe

• Length of residency in the Warwick school district:
  • 42 years
• Do you have an immediate family member (spouse or child) who currently works in the Warwick school district?
  • No
• Do you currently have children or grandchildren who attend WVCSD schools?
  • No
• Are you currently employed? If so, please give your title and briefly describe your job:
  • Owner of Abundant Energy, Inc. in Pine Island
  • Make aluminum frames for skylights, greenhouses & sunrooms.
• What is your educational background, including high school and college(s) attended, degree(s) received and in what subject areas degree(s)?
  • BA in Business
• Have you ever served, or do you currently serve, on the WVCSD Board Education?
  • Yes, 30 years on the Board of Education
• Have you held in the past, or do you currently hold, other elected or appointed town, village, or county public office?
  • No
• Please list WVCSD school district volunteer groups you are active in (PTA, arts booster, sports boosters, district, or school committees, etc.)
  • BOE Audit Committee
  • BOE Facilities Committee
• Please list community activities or volunteer groups in which you are involved (rec. sports, Scouts, church groups, civic/political organizations, etc.):
  • Community Coalition for Teenage Drug & Alcohol Prevention
• Please provide a brief statement explaining why you wish to be a member of the WVCSD Board of Education:
  • With my many years of experience on the Board, I’m able to provide a valuable perspective to our decision-making process – why we do things certain ways; what has worked; what has been tried, and why it didn’t work. I’m also keenly aware of finding the balance between curriculum improvement and the cost to our property owners.
• What do you see as the biggest challenge currently facing Warwick schools?
  • Moving forward with our academic excellence in the face of reduced state support.
• Assuming you win the election, what goal(s) would you want to accomplish during your three-year term on the Board?
  • Continue to find the balance between providing the best educational opportunities for all students and keeping property taxes low.

Dory Masefield

• Length of residency in the Warwick school district:
  • 21 years
• Do you have an immediate family member (spouse or child) who currently works in the Warwick school district?
  • No.
• Do you currently have children or grandchildren who attend WVCSD schools?
  • Three children graduated 2022, 2020, and 2009.
• Are you currently employed? If so, please give your title and briefly describe your job:
  • Current Employment
    • Tuxedo Park School – Science Department Coordinator, Science/Math Teacher Grades 5-9, Volleyball Coach, Grade 8 Advisor.
  • EARTH Summer Camp – Co-founder and Instructor: Building character and confidence in campers through ecology, artistry and horsemanship.
• What is your educational background – including high school, college(s) attended, degree(s) received and in what subject areas degree(s)?
  • University of Maine, Orono, ME – Ph.D. Candidate in Physical Oceanography, Physics of Estuarine Circulation and implications for transport of contaminants.
  • S.U.N.Y. College of Environmental Science and Forestry, Syracuse, NY – M.S. in Environmental Science/Chemistry
  • Dartmouth College, Hanover, NH – B.A. in Biology, modified Environmental Science
  • Earl L. Vandermeulen High School, Port Jefferson, NY
• Have you ever served, or do you currently serve, on the WVCSD Board Education?
  • Board Member 2014-2023
• Have you held in the past, or do you currently hold, other elected or appointed town, village, or county public office?
  • No.
• Please list WVCSD school district volunteer groups you are active in (PTA, arts booster, sports boosters, district, or school committees, etc.)
  • Warwick Soccer Club, Coach and Referee, 2007-2019.
  • WVCSD PIE Program Volunteer 2008-2015.
  • Stage Manager/Set Construction for Sanfordville Drama Productions 2012-2015
  • WVCSD 20/20 Committee Member – 2009-2014
• Please list community activities, volunteer groups which you are involved (rec. sports, Scouts, church groups, civic/political organizations, etc.):
  • Orange County Arts Council
  • Warwick Historical Society
• Please provide a brief statement explaining why you wish to be a member of the WVCSD Board of Education:
  • During my time serving on the School Board, the policy choices I collaborated to enact have resulted in Warwick becoming an exemplary district that always puts students first. This path was purposeful, based on strategic planning and community outreach that defined the portrait of a Warwick graduate. We have brought career and technical education programs back to our schools and have established multiple pathways for graduation. We have overseen safety upgrades to our school buildings to create a safe and secure learning environment. We built the largest school operated solar farm in the state, and have incorporated environmental literacy into our curriculum. During my tenure, this was accomplished while keeping taxes below the cap by planning ahead, looking for non-tax revenue, and maintaining diligent fiscal responsibility. People now chose to move to Warwick to raise a family due to the quality of the education in our public schools. I’m proud to have played a role in this success, and I want to continue to build on the progress we have made.
• What do you see as the biggest challenge currently facing Warwick schools?
  • There are several challenges currently facing Warwick schools. We need to establish and maintain civic discourse among all the stakeholders in our district so that we can continue to make smart decisions in setting policies and formulating budgets. School safety is always a top priority, and we need to continually assess and upgrade the systems we have in place to keep our students safe. We need to stay focused on attracting and retaining the best faculty and staff to work with our students.
• Assuming you win the election, what goal(s) would you want to accomplish during your three-year term on the Board?
  • If re-elected, I want to continue to put the best interests of all students first, building on the progress we have made toward educational excellence. Specific goals I would like to accomplish are to continue to provide transparency and build trust between the community, the school board and the administration. I want to be proactive in assessing and improving the mental health program, adjusting to students’ social and emotional wellness needs, while ensuring that appropriate effective supports are in place. I would like to find ways to continue to upgrade facilities for increased efficiency and cost savings.

John W. Garcia

• Length of residency in the Warwick school district:
  • 67 years – lifelong resident, born and raised
• Do you have an immediate family member (spouse or child) who currently works in the Warwick school district?
  • Yes
• If yes, please provide name and title:
  • John N. Garcia – High School Special Education Teacher, 7 years (son)
  • Brad R. Garcia – Middle School Physical Education Teacher, 5 years (son)
• Do you currently have children or grandchildren who attend WVCSD schools?
  • No
• Are you currently employed?
  • No, Retired Warwick Valley Middle School Physical Education Teacher and coach – 35 years (1979-2014)
• What is your educational background – including high school and college(s) attended, degree(s) received and in what subject areas degree(s)?
  • Warwick Valley High School – 1974 Graduate – Regents diploma
  • Slippery Rock State College – BS in Education – 1978 – (Physical Education, Health, Driver Education)
  • Iona College – 1985 – Masters in School Administration
• Have you ever served, or do you currently serve, on the WVCSD Board Education?
  • I currently serve on the WVCSD Board of Education. I was elected in 2017.
• Have you held in the past, or do you currently hold, other elected or appointed town, village, or county public office?
  • Yes. I was the Recreation Director for the Village of Warwick for 25 years (1979-2004)
• Please list WVCSD school district volunteer groups you are active in (PTA, arts booster, sports boosters, district, or school committees, etc.)
  • Purple Champions
  • Warwick Football
  • Hall of Fame Committees
• Please list community activities or volunteer groups in which you are involved (rec. sports, Scouts, church groups, civic/political organizations, etc.):
  • Warwick Little League Baseball
  • Warwick Youth Football
  • Recreational Warwick Basketball
  • CYO Basketball
  • Old School Baptist Church Ceremony
• Please provide a brief statement explaining why you wish to be a member of the WVCSD Board of Education:
  • I wish to be a member of the Warwick Valley Central School District Board of Education because I feel I have a knowledgeable understanding of the community as a lifelong resident. Teaching in the Warwick schools for 35 years gives me a perspective on how teachers think. My master’s degree in School Administration also allows me knowledge from that point of view. Warwick schools are the place that my parents and children graduated from and my wife taught for 33 years. I have great pride in the school and community and would love to contribute in a positive way as a Warwick School Board Member.
• What do you see as the biggest challenge currently facing Warwick schools?
  • One of the biggest issues of the Warwick Valley School District is to provide our students with the necessary tools to be successful after they graduate from high school. Preparing them for college or a good job after they graduate is essential to their success in building a productive and happy life. The Warwick School Board, with the assistance of the School Administration, must chart an effective course of action. Working together with parents, teachers and students will be of upmost importance. This will be a process of continual evaluation and re-evaluation. I feel this will elevate our students and help in making them productive future citizens.
• Assuming you win the election, what goal(s) would you want to accomplish during your three-year term on the Board?
  • If I win the election, I would work to be a successful and positive member of the Board of Education, bringing my experience and pride in the community and school to best meet the needs of both the community and our outstanding students.

Angel L. Maysonet

• Length of residency in the Warwick school district:
  • 17 years
• Do you have an immediate family member (spouse or child) who currently works in the Warwick school district?
  • No
• Do you currently have children or grandchildren who attend WVCSD schools?
  • No
• Are you currently employed? If so, please give your title and briefly describe your job:
  • Corporate Security Department Manager
  • In charge of investigations and tactical operations for a major utility. Conduct threat assessments, vulnerability assessments, active shooter drills, investigate employees, threats to employees, oversee contract guard force, work closely with the capital projects team on budgets and allotment.
• What is your educational background, including high school and college(s) attended, degree(s) received and in what subject areas degree(s)?
  • Dodge Vocational HS in the Bronx
  • Bachelor of Science Degree, Criminal Justice, Capella University, Summa Cum Laude
• Have you ever served, or do you currently serve, on the WVCSD Board Education?
  • No
• Have you held in the past, or do you currently hold, other elected or appointed town, village, or county public office?
  • No
• Please list WVCSD school district volunteer groups you are active in (PTA, arts booster, sports boosters, district, or school committees, etc.)
  • I coached WVHS Freshman football in 2017
• Please list community activities or volunteer groups in which you are involved (rec. sports, Scouts, church groups, civic/political organizations, etc.):
• Please provide a brief statement explaining why you wish to be a member of the WVCSD Board of Education:
  • The circumstances that prompted me to run for the school board were multifaceted. First and foremost, due to the uptick in recent active shooter events targeting schools around the country, I recognized the need for an expert’s perspective on matters related to safety and security in our schools. My extensive background in law enforcement, including my experience with counterterrorism investigations, provides me with a unique skill set to assess and address potential security risks and ensure that our schools remain safe and secure learning environments for our children. Secondly, I have always been passionate about giving back to my community and contributing my skills and knowledge to make a positive impact. Serving on the school board presents an opportunity for me to utilize my expertise and experience to contribute towards enhancing the safety measures in our schools and ensuring that all of our children are provided with the best possible education in a secure environment. Lastly, as a Puerto Rican child raised by a single mother, poor, having been on welfare and witnessed domestic violence, I recognize the struggles many of our parents and youth experience today. My mother being a constant driving force in my education, always involved, engaged and holding myself and my teachers accountable in spite of the challenges she faced, led me to recognize the importance of parent involvement and ultimately to a life of service. Putting my own children through the WVCSD schools helped me understand the importance of having fair, strong leadership and decision-making on the school board. I am committed to being a voice for all parents and community members, advocating for their concerns and actively working towards solutions that prioritize the safety and security of our children with an open heart and a protector’s mindset.
• What do you see as the biggest challenge currently facing Warwick schools?
  • Our children need better physical protection.
• Assuming you win the election, what goal(s) would you want to accomplish during your three-year term on the Board?
  • If elected to the school board, my top priority would be to enhance school security and safety measures to ensure the well-being of all children in our district. I would focus on several specific changes to achieve this goal. I would advocate for a comprehensive review and assessment of the existing security protocols and procedures in our schools. This would involve working closely with law enforcement agencies and security experts to conduct thorough evaluations of our school facilities, identifying potential vulnerabilities, and implementing necessary upgrades or enhancements. This could include measures such as improved access controls, surveillance systems, and emergency response plans. I would work towards implementing mental health and well-being programs in our schools. Addressing the social and emotional needs of our students can play a vital role in preventing potential safety issues by identifying and addressing underlying issues that may contribute to disruptive behaviors or concerns. I would advocate for increased collaboration and communication between the school district, law enforcement agencies, and other relevant stakeholders. This would involve establishing strong partnerships with local law enforcement, emergency responders, and community organizations to foster a proactive approach to school safety. Regular meetings, drills, and joint training exercises would be instrumental in building effective safety protocols and response plans. Lastly, I would prioritize an inclusive and transparent approach, actively seeking feedback from parents, students, and community members on school security and safety concerns, and incorporating their perspectives into decision-making processes.

Adrienne Tveter

• Length of residency in the Warwick school district
  • 8 years
• Do you have an immediate family member (spouse or child) who currently works in the Warwick school district?
  • No
• Do you currently have children or grandchildren who attend WVCSD schools?
  • Yes. My daughter is in 5th grade and my son is in 4th at Sanfordville.
• Are you currently employed? If so, please give your title and briefly describe your job:
  • Yes. Full time position as a medical billing supervisor. I oversee an accounts receivable department for an ambulatory surgical center.
• What is your educational background – including high school and college(s) attended, degree(s) received and in what subject areas degree(s)?
  • Regents diploma from Albertus Magnus High School, Bardonia, NY
  • Part time attendance at Rockland Community College.
• Have you ever served, or do you currently serve, on the WVCSD Board Education?
  • No
• Have you held in the past, or do you currently hold, other elected or appointed town, village, or county public office?
  • No
• Please list WVCSD school district volunteer groups you are active in (PTA, arts booster, sports boosters, district, or school committees, etc.)
  • PTA volunteer
• Please list community activities or volunteer groups in which you are involved (rec. sports, Scouts, church groups, civic/political organizations, etc.):
  • Member of St. Stephens, Warwick
  • Parent volunteer with Warwick rec sports
  • Fundraising for the Warwick Valley Humane Society
• Please provide a brief statement explaining why you wish to be a member of the WVCSD Board of Education:
  • I want to ensure that every student in the district receives the gold standard of education that we offer in Warwick. I want to make sure that parents always have a seat at the table when it comes to policy and procedure that directly affects their children. I will encourage a team effort approach to the education process.
• What do you see as the biggest challenge currently facing Warwick schools?
  • Budget. There will be a concern for maintaining the standard we have set in the region due to inflation. I want to support the great work our district has achieved and participate in fiscal oversight to ensure we continue offering the best educational experience for our students.
• Assuming you win the election, what goal(s) would you want to accomplish during your three-year term on the Board
  • Restore and strengthen parental decision-making rights in education, ensuring parents have a meaningful role in shaping policies.
  • Increase transparency through open communication, transparent budgeting, and decision-making processes.
  • Maintain and enhance academic rigor in the curriculum, prioritizing critical thinking and academic excellence.
  • Uphold laws and freedoms while creating a safe and inclusive learning environment for all students.
  • Foster a collaborative approach among all stakeholders, including board members, administration, parents, and the community.

Luis Abramson

• Length of residency in the Warwick school district
  • 14 years as a Warwick resident
• Do you have an immediate family member (spouse or child) who currently works in the Warwick school district?
  • N/A
• If yes, please provide name and title:
  • N/A
• Do you currently have children or grandchildren who attend WVCSD schools?
  • We have two children, Elizabeth who attended and graduated from the school district in 2021, and our son who currently is at the Sanfordville Elementary school Special Education program.
• Are you currently employed? If so, please give your title and briefly describe your job:
  • Retired NYPD Officer, I am the Founder of a charity named “CHJI Support Services Inc”. a nonprofit organization -that I initiate with my wife Karen after my cancer diagnosis back in 2020 when running the first time for school board- I give one hundred percent of my time along with my family, friends great volunteers to provide free prostate cancer screening services, we have a food pantry for the families in need through Orange County as well as Sensory Christmas with Santa and Sensory Easter Egg Hunt for kids and young adults with Disabilities . I collaborate with different organizations such as Independent Living Inc., WMC Health, Mount Sinai Hospital, etc to bring free screening to men from all walks of life.
• What is your educational background, including high school and college(s) attended, degree(s) received and in what subject areas degree(s)?
  • I hold a degree in Architecture Technology and graduated from City Tech (New York City College of Technology).
• Have you ever served, or do you currently serve, on the WVCSD Board Education?
  • No
• Have you held in the past, or do you currently hold, other elected or appointed town, village, or county public office?
  • N/A
• Please list WVCSD school district volunteer groups you are active in (PTA, arts booster, sports boosters, district, or school committees, etc.)
  • I participated as the SEPTA vice-President and then President.
• Please list community activities or volunteer groups in which you are involved (rec. sports, Scouts, church groups, civic/political organizations, etc.):
  • I Volunteer for the Special Olympics as part of the Law Enforcement Torch Run (LETR); I proudly am part of the: Community Outreach Engagement (CEA) Mount Sinai Tish Cancer Institute; Advisory Council for The Center on Aging and Disability Policy (Pro-Active Caring Initiative) at Mount Saint Mary College; Advisor for the newly formed Orange County Asian American Advisory Committee, member of the Knights Of Columbus council #8637 ; member of the FOP and SHIELDS and proud former member of the Hudson Valley Family Council Advisory member for LIFEPlan CCO NY, and Central Hudson Region NYS PTA Diversity Chair.
• Please provide a brief statement explaining why you wish to be a member of the WVCSD Board of Education:
  • As a parent of a child with Autism in Special Education. I believe that including a special needs parent on the school board can be valuable, as we parents can bring first-hand experience and offer valuable insights into supporting special needs students. I will advocate for the needs of our district students and ensure that their voices are heard, while also bridging the gap between school and home and encouraging empathy and understanding. Moreover, I believe that special needs parents we can serve on the school board and can advocate for other parents and students, demonstrating that individuals with special needs can contribute meaningfully to our community. Many community members that knows me personally, know that special education is very personal and dear to me, because of my son and I do believe that I can be help to promote greater inclusivity and empathy in our schools and communities and voice the needs of our general and special education students. My son’s resilience and needs motivate me to run to advocate for a stronger, inclusive and appropriate educational curriculum for our students at every level.
• What do you see as the biggest challenge currently facing Warwick schools?
  • The rise of Autism spectrum diagnoses presents a challenge for schools, as parents and staff require more training to better understand and support students with intellectual disabilities. The current classroom setup is not meeting goals, and additional resources like mindfulness, yoga, and special needs music therapy and continued staff training are needed to support aides. However, the Warwick community cannot afford unnecessary tax increases (due to a landmark court case. The case is Perez v. Sturgis Public Schools, 21-887.) , so changes must be made carefully and with consideration of financial impact.
• Assuming you win the election, what goal(s) would you want to accomplish during your three-year term on the Board?
  • 1) Looking for ways to increase the school budget (very limited right now) for Special Education and look for much more suitable services/contractors than the ones we currently have for special education students.
  • 2) Correcting the negative and working on advocating for continued funding on Special Education, Mental Health programs, safety and strong educational programs.
  • 3) suggests creating tool kits for teachers to provide them with comprehensive training on managing and de-escalating behavior in students with emotional disabilities and implementing school-wide procedures like Crisis Prevention Intervention or Positive Behavior Interventions and Support to prevent and reduce the use of seclusion rooms for handling escalating behaviors.
  • 4) Contract Center for Spectrum Services to provide continued training/services/staff development training that is so much needed for special education.