Voters to elect three board of education members; petitions available Feb. 1

On May 21, Jamesville-DeWitt Central School District voters will choose three district residents to serve on the J-D Board of Education. Board members each serve a three-year term. 

Residents must collect 25 signatures from qualified school district voters to be placed on the ballot. Petitions will be available for pickup on Thursday, Feb. 1, 2024 at the J-D District Office (6845 Edinger Dr., DeWitt) and must be filed by 5 p.m. April 22 at the district office. Please contact Tish Hauser at thauser@jd.cnyric.org or 315-445-8304 for information on requesting a nominating petition.

The J-D Board of Education includes nine school district residents elected by voters. Board members are not financially compensated. 

The board is the official policy-making body of the school district. It is responsible for carrying out the laws and regulations pertaining to the education of children living within the district. The board adopts district policy, curriculum, programs of study and approves the hiring of all personnel, as well as establishing the conditions of employment. The board is also responsible for maintaining district facilities, establishing an annual budget and setting a tax levy. 

To qualify for board membership, an individual must be:

    • A district resident for at least one year,
    • A U.S. citizen, 
    • A minimum of 18 years of age and 
    • Be able to read and write.

The terms of the following incumbents expire on June 30, 2024: Kelly Austin and Jalal Zoghby. 

The term of Dana Corcoran, will be filled by the candidate receiving the highest number of votes. This term will start immediately following the election and will run for three years. 

In addition to the nine members elected by district residents, the board also includes a non-voting student member who is elected by their peers. The student board member attends all public meetings but may not attend executive or exempt sessions, which are portions of the meeting in which the law allows board members to discuss privately matters that will imperil the public safety if disclosed and other matters allowed by law.