Board of Education Members

Member names are listed along with candidate statements from when they ran for election/re-election to the Board of Education. Because of this, some information in their statements below may be outdated.

Shelley Palmer, President

In 2014, my husband, Zac, and I relocated our family, Vivienne and Andrew (Class of 2028), from Massachusetts to New York.  We moved to Schodack because we appreciated the sense of community and quality education that the town offers. As a member of the Board, I am dedicated to the continuous improvement of the school district so the students of our community will be well prepared for the challenges of the future.  I hold a Bachelor’s degree in Chemistry from Seton Hall University and a Master’s degree in Forensic Science from the University of New Haven. I have 10+ years of experience in education. I currently work for the NYS Division of Criminal Justice Services. I am actively involved in community activities including Girl Scouts, youth sports, and church activities.

Kurt Maier, Vice President

My wife Regina and I have lived in Schodack for 20 years. We have two children: Makaila, who is a 2020 graduate, and Ethan, who is a current high school student set to graduate in 2023. After high school, I joined the Marine Corps, serving proudly until 1996. I am currently employed as a Cost of Care Director for Anthem, where I utilize my Lean Six Sigma and analytical skills to identify and deploy process improvements to achieve cost reductions. My experience as a community member includes volunteering in the Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts, Kiwanis, the PTO, and various other community events. After many years of supporting our youth, I’ve gained a strong perspective of the District and what it has to offer our children and the community. As a Board member, I am committed to helping guide the District toward its vision of success through learning, planning, and hard work.

Angela Beber

My husband, Jay, and our sons, Christian (class of 2019) and Joe (class of 2020), have lived in Schodack for almost 25 years. As a family, we are committed to improving the community we live in. Jay and Joe both take pride in their work for the district. I left my 15-year career at Schodack CSD to work for Questar III, which has allowed me to further my involvement in public education. We have always been active participants in the schools, local athletics and civic organizations, most recently with Kiwanis. I am a strong advocate for public education and providing equal access for all. We continue to be faced with unique challenges in our education system. We have to work together to balance the needs of the students while also supporting the faculty and staff, as well as being fiscally responsible. I look forward to being given the opportunity to continue to work with the district to support our strong school community.

Dr. Melissa Boles

My family—my husband Nathan, our twins Alexis and Drake, and I—moved to the district six years ago. Our twins will be entering 7th grade next year. Since our arrival, we have actively engaged in community activities. My husband has coached the CYO basketball team, and I have served for four years on the Castleton Elementary School PTO. As a corresponding secretary, I enjoyed taking meeting minutes and promoting events on social media. Volunteering at PTO-hosted events, from community fairs to science fairs, has been an incredibly rewarding experience. Professionally, I am a science educator and currently serve as an Associate Professor at Columbia-Greene Community College in Hudson, NY. My teaching focus includes human biology, anatomy and physiology, and microbiology. I am a strong advocate for public education and have witnessed firsthand the impact of teaching science to students pursuing careers in the health sciences, from nursing to physical therapy. Community colleges play a vital role in providing students with the academic foundation they need to transform their lives and contribute to their communities by achieving their career goals. I am eager to serve on the school board because I am passionate about education, committed to improving our community, and believe I can make a positive impact on the lives of both students and educators.

Tylea Gebbie

My husband and I settled in Schodack just over 9 years ago because of its tight-knit community and strong school district. We have 3 children, a second and sixth grader at Castleton Elementary School, and an eighth grader at Maple Hill Middle School. I received my master’s in Educational Psychology and my Certificate of Advanced Studies in School Psychology from SUNY Albany. I am a Nationally Certified School Psychologist and have been practicing for the last 11 years in the New Lebanon Central School District. I value public education, and I believe strongly in a whole-child approach to education. Academic rigor, social emotional learning, mental health supports, enrichment opportunities within and outside the classroom, and family and community involvement are important factors in a child’s education. The Schodack Central School District works hard to provide each of these opportunities and more, and I hope to continue this work as a voice for our students, teachers, families, and community members.

Marion Spar

My husband, Andre, and I have six children: Haylee (15), Ayva (14), Dylan (12), Aubrey (11), Payton (8), and Nate (4). We have lived in Schodack since 2013. Our family is very active and involved in various activities and functions throughout the community. We love and appreciate giving and supporting in any capacity. We are a certified foster/adoptive family and I volunteer to coach several youth athletic teams. I have served on the Board of Education since 2021 and look forward to continuing my work as a dedicated member to serve our community. With a master’s degree from The College of Saint Rose, I hold a certification in School Psychology and have worked with students in grades Pre-K through 12. I am currently working for the local Justice Court. I am a very enthusiastic individual with a great sense of humor and a firm believer that life is what you make it. I love helping others and making every day a positive one! I feel that it is important not just to be actively involved for the sake of my children, but also to show and teach them that being an active and productive individual is what will guide them successfully through life. Education has such a great impact on all children in many ways and being a part of making that experience a positive and meaningful one is my goal. It is an honor to advocate for ALL our children and the community.

Blake Kush

I’m Blake Kush and I am honored to represent you on the Schodack Board of Education. District residents since 2011, my wife Danielle and I chose to live here because of the intimate community and quality of public education offered. Together, we are raising two future glass ceiling breaking daughters who are proud to wear the Wildcat red and blue. Committed to serving the underserved, I have fifteen years of professional experience running training and economic development programs for low-income families and victims of crime in both the non-profit sector and state government. I also have a master’s degree in social work, own a small business, and have the title of “coach” for many of your kiddos in our youth soccer and softball leagues. I will be an advocate for all our children. A better individual makes a better family. A better family makes a better community.

Jennifer Rogowski

My husband and I purchased our first home in Schodack in 2009. We quickly realized that this wonderful community was where we wanted to raise our family! We have 2 children who attend Maple Hill Jr./Sr. High School and Castleton Elementary. I am a Special Education teacher for Questar III BOCES. I currently teach high school students but have experience teaching students from Pre-K through grade 12. I firmly believe in our public education system. I am running for a position on the Schodack CSD Board of Education to support the teachers, staff, students and community members of the Schodack Central School District.

Mary Yurista

I’ve had the privilege to serve the community for 6 years during which we undertook the transformation of our facilities into a 21st-century learning environment. I serve on the Audit Committee and with the support of the Schodack BOE, I serve on the Questar III Board. Having worked in the insurance industry in various technical capacities leading and participating in projects that have brought innovation and improvement to business processes, I believe the private sector offers beneficial guidance and progressive ideas that will allow us to sustain and improve the quality of education and everyday life for all. We have raised three Maple Hill graduates. As a parent and grandparent, I want the same success for every student that my children have been able to enjoy. As a professional, I hope to be able to assist and meet the challenges we face in our schools to facilitate the future success of students in this new uncertain environment and economy.

About the Board of Education

The Board of Education consists of nine elected members who are charged with setting the goals and establishing the policies to create a successful school district for our community’s children. Board members are unpaid volunteers serving three-year terms.

Members of the board adopt the annual budget and make decisions on a range of educational concerns. They are not responsible for the day-to-day operations of Schodack’s schools. Parents are encouraged to contact the building principal or appropriate administrator to address specific school concerns. If the issue remains unresolved, please contact the school superintendent.

The community is encouraged to attend meetings to learn about the educational issues the Board is considering. We value your interest and encourage you to attend and voice any questions or concerns you may have about our schools.