Residents will have the opportunity to meet the four Board of Education candidates on Wednesday, May 13 at 7:00 p.m. in the Howard L. Goff Middle School cafeteria for Meet the Candidates Night. There are three open seats in this year’s election, which is scheduled for Tuesday, May 19.

Each of the four candidates will discuss their qualifications and answer questions. The event will be hosted by the League of Women Voters.

Information about each of the candidates can be found below.

To learn more about the Board of Education, visit https://egcsd.org/board-of-education.

Michael Buono

Education: B.A. Siena College
Occupation: Retired Director of Human Resources at Questar III BOCES

It has been an honor to serve on the EGCSD Board of Education for the past 12 years, including seven years as Board President. I am seeking a fifth term because I remain deeply committed to public education and serving our community. I aim to continue supporting thoughtful, long-term planning for our district.

A lifelong resident of the area, my wife Heidi and I have lived within our district for over 35 years. We are the proud parents of three children who attended the district’s schools. A Siena College graduate, I recently retired after nearly 40 years in human resources, serving both the private and public sectors.

To sustain the high-quality educational opportunities our students and families expect and deserve, we must allocate the resources entrusted to us by our community in a fiscally responsible manner. Equally important is providing our dedicated faculty and staff with the tools and support they need to succeed. I believe my board experience and professional background will enable me to continue contributing effectively as we address the challenges ahead.

Shay Harrison

Education: B.S. Rice University, PhD University of Connecticut
Occupation: Chief Executive Officer at Free Form Fibers

I have resided in the district for over two decades and presently live in East Greenbush with my wife and daughter. My educational background is in materials science. I run an advanced material manufacturing company in Saratoga Springs. I graduated from Columbia High School in 1990 and previously served on the EGCSD Board of Education for 7 years. In addition, I have participated in a range of roles in the district, including as a coach for 25 years in the girls and boys basketball programs and a mentor in the Science Research program.

I am interested in re-joining the BOE as the district faces challenges over the next few years, particularly in the financial realm, but it is operating from a strong foundation of educational performance by our students and the dedication and commitment of the staff. I hope to be able to contribute to the collaborative and creative solutions that will be needed for the district to be successful.

Rob Marchiony

Education: J.D. Albany Law School; MBA Frostburg State University; B.S. SUNY Brockport
Occupation: Staff Attorney, Supreme Court, Appellate Division, Third Department

My wife Laurie (first grade teacher at Genet) and I have lived in East Greenbush for 16 years, and our three children Emma (’23), Thomas (’25) and Michael (’28) have received a great education and had many tremendous experiences in our district.

I have always been community-minded, having served on the boards of EG Softball, Little League, and Sorensco Babe Ruth, as well as being a Cub Scout leader, before being elected to the EGCSD Board last year. In my 20 years of working with the Court in various roles, I have developed a keen ability to research diverse topics and examine issues from a variety of perspectives. Prior to my legal career, I worked in higher education (and coached college baseball) and served in management roles in several nonprofit organizations.

I look forward to continuing to serve our community and use my experience and education to support the great work our teachers and administrators are doing, and to help the district navigate the major challenges ahead.

Jesse Temple

Education: B.S. SUNY Empire State College
Occupation: Principal Accountant with New York State Department of Health

I am running for a second term on the Board of Education because the work is not done. As a parent of three children in the district—two at Goff and one at Genet—I am directly invested in our district’s wellbeing. Our district faces a projected deficit of approximately $2 million, with costs continuing to rise. We need experienced leadership willing to challenge the status quo to keep our district strong.

Over the past three years on the Board, including one as Board President, and through my work with the New York State School Boards Association, I have helped lead our district and others across the State.

I also bring a unique perspective. I grew up in Albany’s South End, raised by public servants, attended both public and private schools, and followed a nontraditional path through education. Those experiences shape how I lead—keeping values first and people at the center of every decision. I advocate for students, staff, and administrators and will continue bringing perspective not always represented.