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League of Women Voters of New Castle2021 Voters Guide for theOssining Union Free School District Board of Educationand Library BoardNote: The candidates themselves supply candidate information in this Voters Guide. The League takesno responsibility for the content or accuracy of the responses. School Board and Library Boardresponsibilities are included at the end of this Voters Guide.Ossining Union Free School District Board of EducationTwo seats up for electionTerm: 3 years; volunteer positionElection: Vote in-person on Tuesday, May 18, 2021 from 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. at the Ossining HighSchool gym, or vote by Absentee Ballot – Ballot due by 5:00 p.m. on May 18, 2021Candidates (in ballot order): Christine Mangiamele, Roger Battacharia, Juanda Dabbs, Myrna Forney,and Katherin Crossling*Katherin Crossling is an incumbent. Her submission reflects her individual views and not the views of theOssining School District or School Board.Christine MangiameleRoger BattachariaJuanda DabbsCurrent School Boardposition, if applicable:N/ACurrent School Boardposition, if applicable:N/ACurrent School Boardposition, if applicable:N/AEducation:Bachelors: Music Education &Applied Percussion (SUNYFredonia, 2007) Masters:Humanistic & MulticulturalEducation (SUNY New Paltz,2010)Education:MBA, Entrepreneurship, BabsonCollege, FW Olin School ofBusinessBS, Accounting, New YorkUniversity, Stern School ofBusinessEducation:I am an OHS graduate of 2003. Ithen went to further myeducational career at MonroeCollege and Berkeley College.Residence: (town only and forhow long)14-year Ossining VillageresidentResidence: (town only and forhow long)Town of Ossining, 14 yearresidentResidence: (town only and forhow long)I have been a resident ofOssining for 36 yearsOccupation:TeacherOccupation:Director – Strategic Sourcingand Procurement at RegeneronOccupation:MRI Technologist Aide1April 28, 2021
Prior Civic and VolunteerService:-Made and distributed masksduring pandemic-Volunteer for PTA (classparent, event help)-Ossining for Fair FundingAdvocate-Parent board member at CircleSchool-Fundraising organizer at CircleSchool- Website manager at CircleSchoolPrior Civic and VolunteerService: Volunteer tutor forunderprivileged children inthe East Ramapo schooldistrict. I tutored over 35children (ages 7 – 16) inmath, reading, writing andscience since 1990 Donated over 15,000 masksto various organizations inunderserved communitiesthroughout Westchester,Rockland and Fairfieldcounty Sourced free computers forOssining Padres Hispanosand personally donated newprinter Local small business mentorproviding free marketingservices including creation ofpromotional videos, web andsocial/digital marketing Founder, Clarkstown SouthMemorial Scholarship since2014 Volunteer Head CoachAYSO since 2015 Midnight Run - Volunteer Feeding Westchester Volunteer Gullotta House - Volunteer Stash the Trash - VolunteerPrior Civic and VolunteerService:I’m a dedicated member of theJuneteenth Council in Ossining,New York. I’ve volunteeredlocally and internationally with atribal based organization thatengaged me in work that wascentered around the goal ofimproving conditions and lifequality for people in Senegal andNigeria. The organization givesback to the children and elders inthe Babalawo.1. What experiences and skillsdo you have that will enableyou to be an effective memberof the School Board?There are currently no educatorsserving on the school board, andI am the only teacher candidate.I am certified to teach k-12music and have workedextensively with k-8th gradestudents, including a year at ourown Anne M. Dorner MiddleSchool. Filtering the school1. What experiences and skillsdo you have that will enableyou to be an effective memberof the School Board?I bring over 25 years of businessexperience in marketing,financial management andanalytics. I have been inleadership roles managing largeteams. Being a leader, to me,means actively listening,learning and managing others tocreate win-win solutions. I am1. What experiences and skillsdo you have that will enableyou to be an effective memberof the School Board?As someone who is invested inthis community, I work in anindustry that is cutting edge,always looking for ways toevolve, and had to figure outunknowns, in an effort to savelives during the pandemic. Thisis the kind of energy that isneeded for the Ossining school2April 28, 2021
district’s educational initiativesand spending through the eyes ofa teacher is an important way toensure that our district’sprograms make sense from theperspective within theclassroom. As a parent of a fourand six year old, I am personallyinvested in the long-term healthof our district.a volunteer tutor for children inunderserved communities. Thechildren I tutored werestruggling in subjects likereading, writing, math andscience. These children haveexcelled through tutoring andmentoring. Additionally, I’veinvested monetary resources toensure that these children havethe tools (books/computers) tosucceed. These experiencescombined makes me an effectivemember of the school board.district. I want to bring light toissues that I’ve seen from afar,and strategize collaborativelywith the board of educationtrustees, to ensure that ourschool system evolves andserves the needs of students whoare entering a world that hasbeen re-shaped and re-formed byCOVID-19.2. Why do you want toserve/continue to serve on theSchool Board? Please includewhat you consider is/are themain issue(s) currently facingOssining schools and how youwould address it (them).Serving on the board is theperfect marriage of my desire tocontribute to my community andmy skill set. Our mainchallenges continue to be closingthe achievement gap andmaintaining adequate learningspaces. I support the furtherexpansion of o-prime, increasedafter school opportunities forhomework help andextracurricular activities. I donot pretend to have all of thesolutions, but I promise I willalways do my homework byreaching out to the people withexpertise, valuing theexperiences of those closest tothe challenges, and consideringthe needs of each student.2. Why do you want toserve/continue to serve on theSchool Board? Please includewhat you consider is/are themain issue(s) currently facingOssining schools and how youwould address it (them).The pandemic has created over ayear of lost learning time for ourchildren. We must bridge thelearning gap for those childrenwho have been adverselyimpacted. We should harnessthe summer months and afterschool hours to developprogramming to bridge thelearning gaps for all of thosechildren who wereaffected. With increasedfoundation aid, we shouldexplore ways to augmentlearning opportunities. Thisincludes equity in education andprogramming. As a schooldistrict, we should partner withlocal businesses, nonprofits andvocational education to createequitable learning opportunitiesbeginning in middle school upthrough high school.2. Why do you want toserve/continue to serve on theSchool Board? Please includewhat you consider is/are themain issue(s) currently facingOssining schools and how youwould address it (them).I want to serve on the Board OfEducation as a Frontline worker.I intend to participate in thebuilding of bridges in order tomaximize parent engagement byutilizing all of the new foundtechnological tools that werecreated during the pandemic. Iwill push to leverage technologyto consistently invite parents intoschools for parent teacherconferences, back to schoolnight, and award recognitions.3April 28, 2021
Myrna ForneyKatherin CrosslingCurrent School Board position, if applicable:N/AEducation:Vanderbilt University Law School, J.D.Owen Graduate School of Management, MBA,FinanceAdrian College, B.B.A. Accounting and Financewith minor in SpanishCurrent School Board position, if applicable:I was elected in 2018 and I am completing my firstterm on the Ossining School Board. I serve on theFacilities, Policy, Advocacy, Social EmotionalLearning, Grievance and Teacher Center PolicyInstitute committees and as liaison to the PTAEducation:I am a product of Fairfax County Public Schoolsin Virginia. I have a B.A. in Psychology andCriminal Sociology from Duke University and alaw degree from Tulane University. I am also acertified therapy dog handler.Residence: (town only and for how long)Ossining, 24 yearsOccupation:AttorneyResidence: (town only and for how long)I have resided in the Ossining School District forthirteen years. I lived in the Village of Ossiningfor seven years before moving to the Town ofYorktown in an area zoned for Ossining Schoolsin 2015. I have three boys ages 10, 8 and 3.Prior Civic and Volunteer Service:Westchester Children Association, Board Member14 yearsStudent Advocacy, Volunteer EducationalAdvocateOHS PTSA, Board member 6 yearsAMD, Roosevelt, Claremont Brookside & ParkSchool PTA MemberOPACC, Past President, MemberOssining Booster Club, Past MemberWestchester County Youth Bureau, Past BoardMemberMediation Center of CLUSTER, VolunteerMediatorOccupation:I am a lawyer at a litigation firm Heidell, Pittoni,Murphy & Bach, LLP where I serve as outsidelegal counsel to tri-state area hospitals, tertiarycare centers and medical networksPrior Civic and Volunteer Service:During law school I volunteered with the criminallaw clinic to provide pro bono legal defense toindigent defendants. I also interned at the VeraInstitute of Justice in New York City. After lawschool, I served as an Assistant District Attorneyin the Bronx for six years. During that time Iconducted long term investigations into organizedcrime with a focus on human trafficking of at-riskhigh school teenagers in an attempt to expose thecriminal enterprises that took advantage of them. Iworked with the Hunts Point Alliance for Childrento understand many of the social issues facing thecommunity. I also prosecuted violent crimesincluding some, unfortunately, that took placewithin the schools.Part of my duties also included coordinating withthe NYC Department of Education to handleincidents of staff misconduct that rose the level of4April 28, 2021
criminality and working with the Internal AffairsBureau at NYPD to prosecute cases of policemisconduct and brutality.In 2015 I founded the Ossining chapter ofDestination Imagination, an internationallyrecognized STEAM enrichment program thatfosters team competition through project basedlearning in Science, Technology, Engineering, Artand Math. I have coordinated the program for thepast six years and it has enriched more than 250students grades Kindergarten through 8th. Ifounded an Educational Non-Profit in 2018 calledOssining DI Boosters to provide need-basedscholarships to students interested in the programand to help raise funds for post-seasoncompetition expenses for all participants.I taught Saturday Academy STEAM workshopsopen to students grades 3-8 during the 2019-2020school year. I am co-chair of the New YorkDestination Imagination committee on diversity,equity and inclusion.I am a licensed therapy dog handler andvolunteered at Bethel Nursing Home and SunshineChildren's Home.I have collaborated with Ossining for Fair Fundingfor four years to help coordinate advocacy andraise awareness of the State's school fundinginequities and the impact on Ossining schools.1. What experiences and skills do you have thatwill enable you to be an effective member of theSchool Board?My experience as an engaged parent (Class Parent,PTA Board Member, committee member) andcommunity member has made me aware of whento listen and when to ask questions to elicit a trueunderstanding of community desires. As aneducation and employment law attorney andmediator I have developed my ability to listen,interpret and reflect information back to enableeffective communication. As a Board member, Iwill combine my skills and experience to activelyadvocate for providing our children with asuperior public education while working with theadministration and teachers to do so in a fiscallyresponsible manner.1. What experiences and skills do you have thatwill enable you to be an effective member of theSchool Board?As a current BOE trustee I have spent the pastthree years devoted to Board service building up awealth of knowledge and practical experience. Irely on my analytical training and background asan attorney to navigate challenging issues. I amnot afraid to ask tough questions or voice concernsin a professional way. My experience inmanaging coordination of government agencies toachieve a common goal as well as in assessing andanalyzing risk make me uniquely qualified.My driving force is the well-being of families andstudents in our community and ensuring that allviewpoints are heard.5April 28, 2021
2. Why do you want to serve/continue to serveon the School Board? Please include what youconsider is/are the main issue(s) currentlyfacing Ossining schools and how you wouldaddress it (them).My service on the Board would be as an advocatefor the rights of All children and to ensure theyhave access to growth provoking and lifeforwarding education supporting the developmentof their minds through critical thinking. Toprovide this access we must provide theprofessionals in our schools ubiquitous andsystemic supports to ensure innovative changesthat create in each child the ability to master newskills and develop new ideas. I think Ossiningfaces the challenge of ensuring that itscommitment to equity and culturally responsiveeducation becomes integral to the instruction.2. Why do you want to serve/continue to serveon the School Board? Please include what youconsider is/are the main issue(s) currentlyfacing Ossining schools and how you wouldaddress it (them).When I ran in 2018, I wanted to ensure kids hadthe best public education possible, neverimagining the board would make decisionsabout how to operate schools under threat from adeadly virus. I have been engaged fully inpandemic crisis planning and have a criticalunderstanding of the challenges Ossining faces asit strives to fully re-open, the most immediatelypressing issue. Recently, our state fundingchanged significantly. As part of the advocacyleading to the change, I want to ensure the fundingappropriately addresses the needs of our studentsbalanced against necessary tax relief to thecommunity.6April 28, 2021
Ossining Library BoardTwo seats up for electionTerm: 3 years; volunteer positionElection: Vote in-person on Tuesday, May 18, 2021 from 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. at the Ossining HighSchool gym, or vote by Absentee Ballot – Ballot due by 5:00 p.m. on May 18, 2021Candidates (in ballot order): Alice Joselow* and Shandi Speller**Alice Joselow and Shandi Speller are incumbents. Their submissions reflect their individual views and not the viewsof the Ossining Library or the Library Board.Alice JoselowShandi SpellerCurrent Library Board position, if applicable:Vice PresidentCurrent Library Board position, if applicable:Ossining Public Library Board TrusteeEducation: Colgate University BS in Physical Science 1980 Columbia University MS in Metallurgy 1984Education:BA, MS Ed, SBL, Certified Family SupportAdvocateResidence: (town only and for how long)Ossining resident for 30 yearsResidence: (town only and for how long)Ossining, 25 Occupation: Employed by the Open Door Family MedicalCenter in the Behavioral Health Department Community Programs Coordinator and theCoordinator of Ossining Communities That Care(OCTC)Occupation:Family Support AdvocatePrior Civic and Volunteer Service: Elected Ossining Public Library Board ofTrustee member since 2012 President 2014-2017: Vice President 2018-2021 Elected Ossining Board of Education member1999-2011 Founding member of Ossining MATTERSEducation Foundation Founding member of Ossining CommunitiesThat Care Ossining Food Pantry Vice President 1999-2007 PTA Council President 1997-1999Prior Civic and Volunteer Service:Ossining School Board, 1998-2007Greenburgh Eleven School Board, 2007-2010Children’s Village Board, 2007-20101. What experiences and skills do you have thatwill enable you to be an effective member of theLibrary Board?Through my involvement in Ossining over the past20 years, I have partnered with many community1. What experiences and skills do you have thatwill enable you to be an effective member of theLibrary Board?My previous board and leadership experiencesaround education/community issues will continue to7April 28, 2021
organizations. The Library is at the heart of ourcommunity as it serves everyone from babies to ourmost senior residents. I was elected to the board in2012 and I am currently serving as the VicePresident. Over the years I have worked hard on theboard to bring in fiscally responsible budgets,support our outstanding staff, build collaborationsacross the community, assist in the writing ofseveral successful grants, as well as to search andhire a new Director.support my effectiveness as a member of the libraryboard.2. Why do you want to serve on the LibraryBoard? Please include what you consider is/arethe main issue(s) currently facing the Libraryand how you would address it (them).The Covid-19 crisis has challenged us as anorganization to adapt to providing servicesremotely. Our staff all worked together to createmany new programs that have demonstrated that theOPL can have an effective remote presence as wellas being in person. We are currently in the processof created a new Long-Range-Plan (LRP) with afocus on Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) andI am eager to stay on the board as the new LRP isdeveloped. I also want to continue working onresolving the infrastructure challenges as well as tocontinue to build strong community partnerships.2. Why do you want to serve on the LibraryBoard? Please include what you consider is/arethe main issue(s) currently facing the Libraryand how you would address it (them).The library board is currently working oncompleting a strategic plan, which I would like tocontinue to serve on the library board to offer myunique perspective on doing that work.8April 28, 2021
Ossining School Board and Library Board ResponsibilitiesSchool BoardRole of the BoardThe Board of Education, as a legally constituted body of elected representatives, bears the responsibility ofsetting policy for the school district. The Board acts in accordance with authority and responsibility vestedin it by federal and state laws, rules, and regulations on behalf of the district citizens.In order to ensure that its educational programs provide all students with a high-quality education, theBoard hereby establishes as its goals:1. To provide leadership in order that goals and objectives of the district, as set forth by the Board, can beeffectively carried out. Board action should be confined to policy-making, planning and appraisal withthe Board delegating authority to the Superintendent of Schools for the implementation of policies;2. To employ a Superintendent capable of ensuring that the district maintains its position as an outstandingschool system, and that school personnel carry out the policies of the Board with energy and dedication;3. To identify the educational facilities and technology needs of the community and industry, and totransform such needs into programs aimed at stimulating students and preparing them for future careers;4. To work closely with the community to ensure that Board actions and performance take intoconsideration the concerns and aspirations of the community; and5. To evaluate the Board’s performance in relation to these goals, and to establish and clarify policiesbased upon the results of such evaluation.From: https://boardpolicyonline.com/?b ossiningLibrary BoardResponsibilities of a Board MemberThe responsibilities of trustees are few in number but broad in scope. They are: Create and develop the mission of the library; Regularly plan and evaluate the library's service program based oncommunity needs; Select, hire and regularly evaluate a qualified library director; Secure adequate funding for the library's service program; Exercise fiduciary responsibility for the use of public and private funds; Adopt policies and rules regarding library governance and use; Maintain a facility that meets the library’s and community’s needs; Promote the library in the local community and in society in general; Conduct the business of the library in an open and ethical manner incompliance with all applicable laws and regulations and with respect for theinstitution, staff and public.From HANDBOOK FOR LIBRARY TRUSTEES OF NEW YORK STATE, 2018 Edition9April 28, 2021
Education (SUNY New Paltz, 2010) Residence: (town only and for how long) 14-year Ossining Village resident Occupation: Teacher Current School Board position, if applicable: N/A Education: MBA, Entrepreneurship, Babson College, FW Olin School of Business BS, Accounting, New York University, Stern School of Business Residence: (town only and for
