School Board Election
Voters to elect 2 members
Voters will elect two members to the Board of Education on May 17. 

The seats up for election are currently held by Catherine A. Lewis and Ann M. Reilly.  Lewis is seeking re-election.  Reilly is not running.

Four candidates are running and will appear on the ballot in the following order:

Vivian Parsons  

I am a life-long city resident and graduate of Schenectady Schools. I have three beautiful children, including one daughter who graduated from the district and another attending now. I currently work as the Director of Admissions for an Assisted Living Facility. I am running for the Board of Education to promote a healthy school environment for all children. That includes supporting the expansion of the community engagement officer program but also pushing for additional community schools funding in order to increase access to health and wellness for our students. Children cannot be expected to learn unless they have proper nutrition, Healthcare, and of course, feel safe. Finally, I believe in setting high expectations for our children and making sure Schenectady Schools offer the most rigorous academic programs rooted in research, data and science. I believe every student can succeed and it is the job of the school board to give them and their teachers the proper tools necessary and create a safe environment to support them. 

Catherine A Lewis  

Catherine Lewis has been a member of the SCSD Board of Education since 2010, serving as its President for her first seven years on the board, and again in 2021-2022. She is also the Area 7 Director for the New York State School Boards Association, representing school districts in Albany, Columbia, Rensselaer, Saratoga, Schenectady, Warren and Washington counties. She has co-chaired the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee since December 2020, which provides advocacy, training, and information to school boards in support of their mission to govern the state’s public schools. Cathy has an extensive record of nonprofit service, including leadership positions on the boards of directors of organizations directly serving Pre-K - 12 students, including the YWCA, Girl Scouts of Northeastern New York, Hometown Health Center, and SAFE, Inc. Her other significant service activities include a term on the Schenectady City Council and officer positions on Habitat for Humanity and the Visiting Nurse Service Foundation.Cathy graduated from Ohio Wesleyan University with a bachelor’s degree, and from Union College with a master’s degree in Business Administration. She is retired after a 44-year career at General Electric. Her and her husband Brad have resided in Schenectady for most of their adult lives.

Kristen M. Holler  

Kristen Holler is a life-long resident of Schenectady and mother of two current students of the district. After earning a B.S. in Community & Human Services Administration, Ms. Holler became the first executive director of Albany Barn, Inc. in 2013, and founded Electric City Barn in Schenectady’s Hamilton Hill neighborhood in 2018. Kristen has worked in both administrative and direct service roles for Planned Parenthood of Greater NY, Schenectady ARC, Bethesda House of Schenectady, and Umbrella Senior Services. Board and volunteer service includes Albany Chefs’ Food & Wine Festival, Rosa Venerini Early Childhood Center, Goose Hill Neighborhood Association, Zonta Club of Schenectady, Mission Accomplished Transition Services, and Habitat for Humanity. Ms. Holler has served as a coach for Schenectady Little League and mentor for the Capital Region Chamber’s executive mentorship program, SUNY Empire Leadership Institute, and UAlbany Emerging Non-Profit Leadership Academy.

Emily Willey-Aulet 

Emily Willey-Aulet is a life-long resident of Schenectady, Schenectady High School graduate, and Mother to many students of the district. Emily is a Foster Mother. After earning a B.S. in Criminal Justice, Emily founded The Emily Willey Foundation, a youth outreach program serving the youth and families in Schenectady. Emily has created access to literacy, winter gear, basic hygiene necessities, and more through her foundation’s Our Community Libraries project. Emily has organized holiday toy drives and breakfast with santa events, celebrating holidays with hundreds of community members. Emily serves as a coach for Girl’s On The Run, at Girl’s Inc. Emily is a Muse for The Working Group on Girl’s. She has served as the Albany Prevention Family Specialist & Teacher at Berkshire Farms Center for Youth, and has been awarded the NYS Assembly’s Woman of Distinction Award, and The Schenectady County’s Human Rights Award.

2022-2023 Budget Vote
Information on the budget is posted here. 

Voting Information
The 2022-2023 Budget Vote and School Board Election will be held on May17, 2022.  Polls are open noon-9 p.m.

Polling Places and Election Districts

• Yates Elementary School, 725 Salina Street, 12308
• Schenectady High School, 1445 The Plaza, 12308
• Howe Elementary School, 1065 Baker Avenue, 12309
• Paige Elementary School, 104 Elliott Avenue 12304
• Woodlawn Elementary School, 3311 Wells Avenue, 12304
• Mont Pleasant Middle School, 1121 Forest Road, 12303
• Fulton Early Childhood Center, 408 Eleanor Street, 12306
• Martin Luther King Jr. Elementary School, 918 Stanley Street, 12307
  
  For more information on polling places and election districts, call the Schenectady City School District Clerk of the Board at 518-370-8100 Ext. 40105.
  
  Voter Eligibility
  You are eligible to vote if you are a U.S. citizen, 18 years or older and a resident of the Schenectady City School District for at least 30 days prior to the vote.
  
  Voter Registration
  Qualified residents can register with the Schenectady County Board of Elections until 5 p.m. on the day of the vote.  For more information, please call the Board of Elections at 518-377-2469.
  
  Absentee Ballots
  Applications for absentee ballot must be received by the district clerk seven days before the election if the ballot is to be mailed, or on the day before the vote if the ballot is to be picked up.  All absentee ballots must be received by 5 p.m. on the day of the vote.  Application for absentee ballot.