On Tuesday, May 21, the community will vote on the district’s proposed spending plan for the 2024-2025 school year. They will also elect three candidates to serve on the board of education for three-year terms beginning July 1, 2024.
The Duanesburg Community PTA will once again host “Meet the Candidates” night to give the community an opportunity to hear from candidates running for open seats on the district’s Board of Education. “Meet the Candidates” will take place at 7 p.m. on Thursday, May 16 in the cafeteria at Duanesburg Jr.-Sr. High School. Refreshments will be provided.
Board members whose terms are expiring this year include current president Melissa Them Peterson, current vice president Francis Spor, and board member Teresa Wood-Irvin.
Three community members turned in petitions to run for the three open BOE seats. This is the order in which the candidates will appear on the ballot:
RAMONE (RAYE) MACTIERNAN
Raye MacTiernan from Delanson is running as a first-time candidate for the DCS Board of Education. Mr. MacTiernan is a 1986 graduate of Notre Dame Bishop Gibbons in Schenectady and received his B.F.A. from Syracuse, and his M.S. Ed. from the College of St. Rose. He currently works as a teacher at Green Tech Charter School in Albany.
Raye and his wife Christine bought their house 20 years ago and he says they “love the community we landed in.” They have two middle school-aged children, Lucy and Noah, with McTiernan adding that his children have many friends here in Duanesburg.
I am a candidate for the Duanesburg BOE because: I am a teacher in another community and have served that community for the last two decades. As a parent of two children in the Duanesburg School District, the school district does an amazing job as a whole to create a remarkable community for its students. I would like to be a part of that process.
FRANCIS SPOR
Francis Spor from Delanson is running as an incumbent for the DCS Board of Education. Mr. Spor is a 1997 graduate of Duanesburg Central School and received his B.S. in computer science from RIT, and his M.S. in computer science from Union College. He currently works as the Engineering Manager at Rocket Science Corporation.
Spor is married to his wife Samantha. They have two children, Lucy, and F. Henry, who both attend DCS.
Spor has been a member of the Board of Education since 2021 and currently serves as the vice president. He has served as a trustee for the Duanesburg Education Foundation, a coach for Odyssey of the Mind for four years, and a regional judge for Odyssey for eight years. He has been a member of DCPTA for 7 years.
Spor says his family enjoys playing board and video games, doing puzzles, going camping, and hanging out with their dog, Whiskey.
I am a candidate for the Duanesburg BOE because: As an alum and active community member, my personal goal is to keep the district strong and make sure that it is as good a pathway to adulthood for my children as I had. We have an amazing school and community, and I’m honored for the opportunity to serve it.
MELISSA THEM PETERSON
Melissa Them Peterson from Delanson is running as an incumbent for the DCS Board of Education. Dr. Them Peterson attended Maine-Endwell Sr. High School, and earned her B.A. from Alfred University, and both her M.A. and PhD from the University at Albany. She is a clinical psychologist and pediatric specialist and works as a psychology consultant to various schools in the Capital District area.
Her list of volunteer activities in the community includes Duanesburg Board of Education member (2021-2024), serving as the vice president from 2022-2023 and as president for the 2023-24 school year; Duanesburg Community PTA (treasurer from 2017-2019 and academics chair from 2021-2024; Youth soccer coach (2013-2022); and Duanesburg AYSO (previously served as secretary and is currently the volunteer coordinator).
Dr. Them Peterson is married to her husband Myles. They have two children – Noah, who is in 9th grade, and Annalise, who is in 6th grade.
I am a candidate for the Duanesburg BOE because: I have learned a tremendous amount about our district, our community, and the needs of our students over the past three years. I remain a passionate advocate for the well-being of all DCS students. I am committed to protecting student opportunities as we navigate challenging financial times. My clinical work with children and school consultation experience give me a unique and multifaceted perspective about schools other than our own. I am grateful to have served for three years and feel hopeful and well-prepared to serve another term.