There are three open seats for the Board of Education in this year’s election. Qualified district residents may vote for up to three persons to fill these positions. The date of the election is Tuesday, May 17, 2022.
The following candidates filed nominations:
Jennifer O’Brien
In November 2021, I was appointed to the Board of Education. For seven years I taught English at Kingston High School. During my tenure there, I taught a variety of courses, was faculty advisor for the literary magazine and helped design department materials for Regents exam preparation. I was awarded a Fulbright scholarship by the U.S. Department of Education.
After Kingston High School, I taught English at Shaker High School. Both positions familiarized me with not only Regents and NYS standards, but also the process involved with formulating and implementing an IEP. While teaching at Kingston and Shaker, I also worked as an adjunct instructor for The College of Saint Rose and Hudson Valley Community College. I currently work with adult learners and help them earn their high school diplomas and continue on in their studies.
I also serve as a board member for Strong Through Every Mile (STEM) which trains survivors of domestic violence to run a 5k. My older daughter is currently in 12th grade at Columbia and my younger one is in 8th grade at Goff. My husband and I are happy with the education and opportunities they have received thus far and are committed to our community.
Michele Skumurski
My name is Michele K. Skumurski and I am currently serving my 5th year on the Board of Education.
I am a lifelong District resident, graduating from Columbia High School in 1990. I am a CPA and earned a Bachelor of Science in Accounting from UAlbany. I’m employed as the Vice President of Finance/Controller at Albany Medical Center where I have worked for 22 years.
I participate on the East Greenbush Education Foundation, as a volunteer for various sports’ clubs and until my dog’s recent retirement participated in Therapy Dogs International. My husband, Ted, and I are proud parents to three children. Davis, a 2017 graduate of Columbia, our daughter, Rachel, a 10th grader at Columbia and our youngest, Tanner, a 7th grader at Goff Middle School.
I appreciate the opportunity to serve our District. In addition, I pledge to continue the District’s commitment on being able to provide a vast array of opportunities that will both foster and encourage success in each and every East Greenbush School District student. Again, thank you for the honor to serve our community.
Emily Steinbach
I am seeking my first term on the school board because I believe in serving the community where I live. I believe the board should reflect the diverse makeup of our community and that board members must first be good listeners and understand the concerns of our entire community.
I earned a Master in Public Administration and a Certificate in Nonprofit Management and Leadership from Rockefeller College of Public Affairs and Policy, SUNY Albany and a Bachelor of Arts in Economics from Smith College.
I have worked in healthcare for over a decade, many years at the NYS Dept. of Health in Medicaid, developing policy, drafting regulation and evaluating the NYS budget impact. Currently, I work as a Senior Contract Negotiator at Capital District Physicians’ Health Plan (CDPHP) specializing in value-based care, State programs, and behavioral health network development.
I have experience serving on two school board committees – Budget Review & Advisory (BRAC) and Finance/Audit. I am a Capital Region native and am happy to call East Greenbush home. I live with my wife, son and two dogs. You can frequently find us at the town park, town library, a nearby trail or walking our dogs in our neighborhood.