Prospective Board Member
The Role of the Board of Education
The Chester Union Free Board of Education believes that, in partnership with the community, parents, administration, faculty, and staff, its primary mission is to enable the individual student to identify and achieve maximum potential.
Board of Education members are unpaid public officials elected by the voters to take formal legal actions and set policies for the conduct of the District. The school board has no legal or formal connection with any other local government body. Its functions are carried out by district officers, administrators, and personnel.
Contact the District Clerk, Lindsay Iannuzzi, for more information on how to run for the Chester Union Free School District Board of Education.
- Prospective Board Member Workshop hosted by OCSBA - RSVP to karyn.meier@ocsba.com by 3/20/26 - Tuesday, March 24, 2026 Virtual Zoom Meeting
- To learn more about becoming a Board of Education member, visit the NYS School Boards Association:
The School Board Member Experience
Running for the Board
Candidate Qualifications
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A Citizen of the United States
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Eighteen (18) years of age or older
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Must be able to read and write
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A legal resident of the District for at least one year prior to election
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May not be an employee of the Chester school district
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The only member of his/her family (that is, cannot be a member of the same household) on the Chester Union Free School District Board
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May not simultaneously hold another, incompatible public office
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Must not have been removed from a school district office within one year preceding the date of election to the Board
Petitions- Available Starting March 4, 2026
There will be one (1) seats open for the May 19, 2026 election for a term of three (3) years. Petitions to run for the one available position will be available beginning on Monday, March 4, 2026. The nominating petitions must include signatures of at least 25 qualified voters who reside in the district, are a US citizen and are 18 and older. Petitions are available for pick up in the District Clerk's office between 8am-3pm at 64 Hambletonian Ave, Chester, NY 10918.
Petitions must be returned to the District Clerk by 5pm on Monday, April 20, 2026. There is an expenditure form that will need to be completed and returned with the petition. Additional expenditure reports will be due on May 14th and June 8th, even if no funds have been spent.
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A drawing to determine the order of the candidates’ names on the ballot will take place in the district office on Tuesday, April 21, 2026 at 9 a.m. You are invited to attend this drawing in person or by proxy; however, attendance is not required. If you or your proxy are not in attendance, the district clerk will contact you with the drawing results. The election will be held on May 19, 2026 during the hours of 8 a.m. to 9 p.m.
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Candidates: Be advised that current board meetings begin at 6:00 p.m., however, future meetings may begin at an earlier time. Please be sure that your schedule allows for this change should it take place.
Please contact the District Clerk, Lindsay Iannuzzi, at 845-469-5052 ext. 3401
Requirements
Please be advised that current Board meetings begin at 6:00 p.m. and meet at minimum two nights a month. Other trainings, meetings, workshops, and conferences may require additional time commitments.
- Fiscal and Governance training will be required within the first year of service. Each training will require a six (6) hour commitment.
- Orange County School Board Association offers the Governance training- See Flyer Here
- NYSSBA offers various options for both Governance and Fiscal Training
- OCSBA offers the mandated Governance Training in two sessions - See Flyer Here
During the first meeting of the year, members will elect a delegate and an alternate for both Orange County School Board Association and NYSSBA