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Five seeking two seats on Massena school board

Posted 5/15/21

MASSENA - Five candidates will be seeking two seats on the Massena Central School board of education. The vote will be held May 18 from noon to 8 p.m. at the Massena Community Center, 61 Beach St. …

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Five seeking two seats on Massena school board

Posted

MASSENA - Five candidates will be seeking two seats on the Massena Central School board of education. The vote will be held May 18 from noon to 8 p.m. at the Massena Community Center, 61 Beach St.

DuBray Baker is the lone incumbent. Board President Patrick Bronchetti has opted not to seek reelection.

Here’s a look at the candidates’ profiles:

Timothy Hayes

Hayes has worked in education for 30 years at St Lawrence Central and Massena Central School Districts.

“During that time I taught in various special education classrooms, worked in administration as Director of Athletics, coached, worked with clubs, organizations and committees,” he said. Prior to working in the public schools he was a recreation therapist with the St Lawrence County ARC. “I am a graduate of Massena Central, SUNY Cortland (BS in Physical Education and Adaptive Physical Education) and SUNY Potsdam (Masters in Instructional Technology and Media Management). Having lived, worked and raised children in Massena, I see the need to be involved with the youth of our community with regards to the education that is available to them.”  Hayes says the world is changing constantly and it is important for our educational system to stay alive and vibrant.

Patricia Murphy

“I have been an educator for 35 years. I taught at four of the five school buildings in Massena. I also taught at all grade levels Pre-K through 12th. I have two degrees: Undergraduate degree from SUNY Potsdam and a Masters degree in Supervision/Administration from SUNY Plattsburgh,” Murphy said. “I served on the Trinity Catholic School Board for two years. I’ve been a resident of Massena since 1989.” Murphy says Covid-19 and the subsequent effects on education should be one of the most important focuses of this pandemic.

“Our children have been deeply affected; I care about what happens to them in the future. If education is going to improve itself, we have to look at what has happened since March of 2020 with a critical eye,” she said.

“We need to change what we see as needing change, restore what has been lost for so many students and support the very foundations of teaching and learning in the best possible way.”

Christopher Castell

Castell attended college at the State University of New York at Plattsburgh where he obtained a bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice. “I since have held jobs in different settings including customer service and manufacturing. I currently work as a Shipping Coordinator for Corning Inc, Canton Plant. I am also the shop Steward for my department and hold a position within the union (USW local 1026),” he said.

Castell wants to become a BOE member to improve and preserve the quality of education at Massena Central. “I also strongly believe in quality public education and as a BOE member hope to serve my community by improving student achievement for current and future students. I also feel very vested as my children receive their education at Massena Central,” he said.

 “My wife also works and coaches in the district so the fiscal health of the district is also of great importance to me. I care about public education because I feel every child deserves the right to highly quality education.”

Angela Frost

Frost is a graduate of Massena Central who lives in the district with her  husband and four children.

“I co-own and operate a small business in the village and also sell real estate. I care about public education because I personally have three current students in the district with one about to graduate. I can see a need for more parent input for changes in our district,” she said.

Frost says she’s a hard worker and has a “genuine interest in the betterment of our education system for our kids of Massena.”

Kristy DuBray Baker

DuBray Baker says she is a Massena Central School District graduate who participated in many groups and activities such as Tech Prep, Interact Club, Environmental Club, Harmonettes, Show Choir and the annual musicals.

“I have an associates degree in Liberal Arts from SUNY Canton and a bachelor of the arts in Sociology from SUNY Potsdam where I was the tutor for the Sociology department. I’ve been involved in the education of children and adults for 23 years. I started teaching dance at the age of 16 years old,” she said. Dubray Baker was a substitute teacher for several years with Massena Central school District and is employed by SLCCDP as a lead teacher for Headstart.

“As a current member of the board of education, I have seen firsthand how demanding and rewarding this position is. The COVID-19 pandemic has brought about a series of challenges that are very unique and I’m hopeful and excited to experience a more normal year.”

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