• Ronald Beck
• Anne Cassidy
• Angela Clizbe
• Douglas Dougherty
• Brian Miller, Sr.
• Jennifer Sponnoble, Vice President
• Paul VanDenburgh, President
• Mark Ward
• Kathryn Zajicek
• Larraina Carpenter, District Clerk - lcarpenter@johnstownschools.org

Board Member Terms of Office & Home Addresses
Board Committees
Agendas & Minutes

Board of Education Meetings Broadcast on Public Access Television
The Greater Johnstown School District's Board of Education meetings can often be seen on Time Warner Cable Channel 18, courtesy of local television station WFNY-CA.

About Your Board of Education

• As elected representatives of the citizens of the Greater Johnstown School District, the nine-member Board of Education serves as the governing body for the community's public school system. The school board sets district policies, selects the superintendent of schools, adopts the annual budget, and determines the tax rate.
• An annual school board election is held on the third Tuesday in May. Board members serve three-year overlapping terms with three members elected each year. School board members, who receive no salary, are committed and concerned citizens who devote countless hours working on behalf of children and the educational interests of Johnstown School District residents.

Meetings, Agendas and Minutes

• The Board of Education adopts an annual regular meeting schedule and designates the site for those meetings during its organizational meeting in July. Regular meetings and board workshops are open to the public and the community is welcome and encouraged to attend.
• Agendas for regular meetings are generally prepared on the Friday before the meeting and available on the Monday before the meeting via a link in the calendar on the right side of page.
• Board of Education Meeting Minutes are prepared within two weeks of the meeting and made available for public review on the district web site or by making an appointment with the District Clerk.

Addressing the Board

• While school board meetings must be conducted in view of the public, there is no NYS law requiring that members of the public be permitted to speak.  However, as a matter of courtesy, and to foster a spirit of cooperation, the Johnstown School Board provides a forum for public comment during each regular meeting. Residents may speak to specific agenda items or to education topics of general interest. The Board does not permit verbal comments relating to specific personnel decisions regarding individuals employed by the District - those comments should be submitted to the Board in writing. The board  president may suggest that speakers confine their remarks to a certain period of time (generally, three minutes). Speakers should state their name and address and identify the organization, if any, they represent.
• Residents may also express their views by writing to the Board of Education in care of the District Clerk, Greater Johnstown School District, 1 Sir Bills Circle, Suite 101, Johnstown NY 12095. Copies of any materials submitted will be provided to all Board members for consideration.

Interested in Serving as a Board of Education Member?
Three of Johnstown's nine Board of Education seats will be up for election on May 21, 2013. Interested in becoming a candidate? You'll need these forms:
Board of Education Candidate Nominating Petition 2013
Board of Education Candidate Expense Statement 2013

Board of Education Goals 12/15/11-06/30/13
Adopted December 15, 2011

• Empower all students, faculty and staff to reach or exceed their potential in all aspects of their development.

• Nurture a culture of encouragement, collaboration, appreciation, creativity, communication, tolerance and respect among school district stakeholders, including students, faculty, staff, parents, administrators, board members and non-parent residents, as well as others outside our community in order to help our students become better global citizens.

• Provide a well-rounded curriculum that preserves visual and performing arts, foreign language, business, technology, enrichment, extracurricular and athletic programs within the fiscal constraints of the district.
       o Research and implement non-traditional avenues to expand or enhance academic
          opportunities for students that are cost-effective and academically valuable.

• Establish a climate of transparency and openness that encourages communication among all district stakeholders.
       o Inform district stakeholders about significant changes in public education, e.g.,
          the state tax levy cap, new Annual Professional Performance Review (APPR)
          requirements, and implementation of the Common Core State Standards.
       o Inform district stakeholders of student, faculty and staff accomplishments.
       o Encourage community involvement and interest in the success of students and the
          business of the school district.
       o Increase the number of district stakeholders who attend Board of Education and
          ad hoc committee meetings on a regular basis.
       o Hold regular public forums to encourage district stakeholders to voice their concerns
          and to offer solutions.
       o Establish convenient and comfortable opportunities for parents to interact with
          district faculty and staff so as to create partnerships that will be beneficial for
          student achievement.

• Explore possible ways to increase overall district stability, instructional effectiveness and operational efficiency.

School Board Recognition Week
New York State Governor Andrew Cuomo designated October 29 - November 2, 2012 as School Board Recognition Week. To read the Executive Chamber Proclamation, click here.

Elected by district residents to serve three year terms, school board members are ordinary citizens who decide at the local level what is best for our children and community. Often called upon to make tough decisions, they receive no remuneration for their time and commitment; their service is voluntary. School Board Recognition Week provides a time for us to show our appreciation for their willingness to tackle the numerous challenges of public education. Thank you to all Greater Johnstown School District Board of Education members, present and past.

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