2024-25 SCHOOL BOARD CANDIDATES

Voters will elect three members to the WVCSD Board of Education on Tuesday, May 21, 2023. Polls open from 7:00 am until 9:00 pm. Board members are unpaid and serve three-year terms. The three candidates, in the order they will appear on the ballot, are:

• Tara Cruz
• William Fanos (i)
• Mandy Blanton

i = incumbent

Question: For how long have you resided in Warwick?
Answer: 10 years

Q: Do you have an immediate family member (spouse or child) who currently works in the Warwick school district?
A: Yes. Spouse, Hernan Cruz, Security Supervisor.

Q: Do you currently have children or grandchildren who attend WVCSD schools?  
A: Yes, I have two children who attend WVCSD schools.

Q: Are you currently employed?
A: No, I am a retired NYPD Sergeant.

Q: What is your educational background, including high school, college, degrees received, and subject areas?
A: Masters of Counseling and Development, Long Island University; Bachelor of Arts and Science-Social Services, SUNY New Paltz; Associate of Arts and Science, SUNY Cobleskill; NYS High School Diploma, Monroe-Woodbury

Q: Have you ever served, or do you currently serve, on the WVCSD Board of Education?
A: No.

Q: Have you held in the past, or do you currently hold, other elected or appointed town, village, or county public office?
A: No.

Q: Are you active in any WVCSD volunteer groups (PTA, arts booster, sports boosters, district, or school committees, etc.)? 
A: Current PTA Treasurer at Sanfordville Elementary School. Former President and Vice President at Sanfordville Elementary PTA.

Q: Are you active in any community activities or volunteer groups (rec. sports, Scouts, church groups, civic/political organizations, etc.)?
A: Girls Travel Coach at Warwick Soccer Club, Assistant Coach of St Stephens CYO Girls basketball team.

Candidates Statement explaining Ms. Cruz’s reasons for wanting to be a member of the WVCSD Board of Education:

I’ve been a Town of Warwick resident since 2008. My husband, Hernan Cruz, is  a Security Supervisor at Warwick High School and a retired NYPD Lieutenant. We have two amazing children, who attend Warwick Valley public schools. 

Although I have made my career as a New York City Police Officer, I have always been interested in focusing on student achievement. If elected to the Warwick Valley Central School District School Board, I will take this opportunity to contribute and improve our community. I believe I can effectively  collaborate as a team with other board members and the Superintendent. I want to take my experiences and use them to create the most promising futures for our students.

I earned my Masters of Counseling and Development, at Long Island University. I pursued my Masters while I was an active Detective in the  New York City Police Department. I saw first hand the need to connect with our youth and wanted to continue to further educate myself on the best way possible to relate our youth. My undergraduate studies were conducted at the State University of New Paltz, where I received my Bachelor of Arts and Science-Social Services and my Associates of Arts and Science at the State University of Cobleskill. 

I believe my experience and solid record of achievement as a New York City Police Officer makes me an ideal candidate for the School Board. During my twenty (20) years as a New York City Police Officer I worked in major task forces and specialized units. I was a certified instructor of Law, Social Science and Behavioral Science at the NYPD Police Academy for five of my twenty years. I held the ranks of Police Officer, Detective and Sergeant Detective Supervisor.  
I will bring this same commitment and enthusiasm to the School Board.

For the past five years, I have had the pleasure to work on the PTA Board at Sanfordville Elementary School. I currently hold the title of Treasurer and have also been the President and Co-Vice President. Working on the PTA Board gave me the opportunity to work closely with the Principal, administration and interact with the faculty and students. The PTA gave me insight on how to provide educational assemblies and unique opportunities for our students, teachers and also manage a budget, to continue events that the PTA provides. One of the many important events I have been part of at Sanfordville is our First Responders Luncheon. As a First Responder, this event was extra special for me, watching our students interact with First Responders and learning about various careers while building a sense of trust, was a rewarding experience,

I have been a volunteer recreational soccer coach since 2018 at Warwick Soccer Club, Warwick Girls Lacrosse K-2 program for two years, and assistant coach in St Stephens CYO basketball. I currently coach a girls travel soccer team for Warwick Soccer Club. 

I possess a genuine desire to make a difference in our students’ lives and our community. With my dedicated background in community policing, coaching and years of PTA Board experience, I believe that I can make a unique contribution to Warwick Valley schools and am confident in my ability to prove the understanding and sensitivity necessary for this position. 

Question: Length of residency in the Warwick school district?
Answer: 48 years

Q: Do you have an immediate family member (spouse or child) who currently works in the Warwick school district?
A: No

Q: Do you currently have children or grandchildren who attend WVCSD schools?
A: 3 children 

Q: Are you currently employed?
A: Yes.  25 years with the FDNY.  Lieutenant, in a Hazardous Materials Technician Unit, Engine Co. 44.

Q: What is your educational background, including high school, college, degrees received, and subject areas?
A: BA-History, St. Bonaventure University, Class of 1996.

Q: Have you ever served, or do you currently serve, on the WVCSD Board of Education?
A: Yes

Q: Have you held in the past, or do you currently hold, other elected or appointed town, village, or county public office?
A: No

Q: Are you involved with any WVCSD school district volunteer groups (PTA, arts booster, sports boosters, district, or school committees, etc.)?
A: WVCSD Facilities Committee, Orange County School Board Association Delegate

Q: Are you involved with any community activities or volunteer groups (rec. sports, Scouts, church groups, civic/political organizations, etc.)?
A: Warwick Republican Committee; Warwick Soccer Club (7 years)

Candidate’s Statement explaining why Mr. Fanos wishes to continue as a member of the WVCSD Board of Education: 

I’ve been a Town of Warwick resident for the past 48 years. My wife, Jaclyn, is a Special Education teacher in the Ridgewood Public Schools. We are the proud parents of three beautiful girls, currently attending Warwick Valley Public Schools. I graduated Cum Laude, with a BA in History from St. Bonaventure University and am starting my 25th year as a Lieutenant with the FDNY.  For the past 3 years, I’ve served on the WVCSD Board of Education.

My mother was born in Ponce, Puerto Rico and migrated to the Bronx, NY, at age 17.  Miriam instilled in me the values of a strong work ethic and desire to serve others, personified in her Nursing profession.  She maintained a positive attitude, regardless of any obstacles.  My father, Bill, taught me the virtues of honesty and patriotism, by his example.  His grandchildren would often hear him proudly say, “God Bless America, the greatest country in the world and never forget it!”  

As a parent of school aged children, it’s important to have a stake in our public education system, which directly impacts the next generation of entrepreneurs, professionals, educators, military and first responders, etc.  A well-informed perspective and the courage to take action is necessary to solve the challenges facing our school district, while building on the many successes we’ve achieved, thus far.

First, let me extend my gratitude and many thanks to my fellow school board members, administrators, support staff, volunteers and especially the teachers who work tirelessly; taking on the monumental challenge of keeping our children’s education and well-being their top priority. In a post-Covid world this effort is easily overlooked, however, it has been no small task to keep Warwick an academic & scholastic leader in Orange County.  The district’s commitment to its Portrait of a Graduate model develops the necessary qualities, from K-12, culminating in a successful student upon graduation.  The seven qualities are: collaborator, communicator, creator/innovator, ethical and global citizen, resilient individual, problem solver and life-long learner.   

Second, I look forward to supporting the important work the BOE, together with the Administration, has achieved in the areas of school safety/security, capital improvements and special education.  Warwick is among a few districts in the tri-state area with full-time school resource officers in each school and a security firm on-site.  Our continued work in capital improvements, i.e., the high school track expansion, multi-sport high school field, spectator restrooms and new auditorium seating, to name a few.   Additionally, Sanfordville Elementary now offers a co-teaching model in every grade for the first time this school year.    

Finally, school budget transparency is imperative, requiring leadership.  Decisions made by the District ultimately affect your family’s personal finances.  Therefore, BOE members have a fiscal responsibility to ensure your hard earned tax dollars are spent wisely and any proposed spending increase receives the scrutiny it deserves.  

With your support and vote, on Tuesday, May 21st, I look forward to serving your family on the WVCSD Board of Education. Thank you!

Question: For how long have you resided in Warwick?
Answer: I have been a Warwick resident for 26 years.  

Q: Do you have an immediate family member (spouse or child) who currently works in the Warwick school district?
A: No, but my father-in-law, Eugene Blanton, is a bus driver for another school district. He helps me understand many of the challenges with our bus system. 

Q: Do you currently have children or grandchildren who attend WVCSD schools?  
A: I have four daughters. All of my children have attended or are currently attending WVCSD school’s. My oldest daughter just graduated last year and is currently attending East Carolina University. Skyler is a student athlete playing  lacrosse and majoring in Marketing. Sierra is a senior at the HS and is continuing her academic and lacrosse career with her sister at ECU. My twin girls, Reece and Payton are currently in 5th grade and enjoy playing soccer, basketball, and lacrosse. The twins also enjoy playing the violin and trombone at school.  

Q: Are you currently employed? 
A: I have been working at Eli Lilly & Company for 16 years as a Territory Manager. I have worked in several different disease states but currently I am working with providers to help more patients with cancer. 

Q: What is your educational background, including high school, college attended, degrees received, and subject areas? 
A: I was born and raised in Raleigh NC. I went to school at Sanderson High School where I enjoyed learning and playing soccer and basketball for my HS team.  After HS, I went to East Carolina University and enjoyed playing soccer there too. I earned a BS in Communications with a minor in Information Processing. I met my husband Eric of over 21 years at ECU who was born and raised in Warwick. Eric attended school here at WVCSD and enjoyed playing football and baseball for his team. 

Q: Have you ever served, or do you currently serve, on the WVCSD Board of Education?
A: I have not served on the Board of Education, but I am looking forward to the opportunity if elected.

Q: Have you held in the past, or do you currently hold, other elected or appointed town, village, or county public office?
A: I have not held any appointed or elected public office jobs.  

Q: Are you active in any WVCSD school district volunteer groups (PTA, arts booster, sports boosters, district, or school committees, etc.)?
A: I am very active in the community. I am currently on the Warwick Soccer Board and I work with a great team of people to help organize our youth recreational and travel soccer program. I have also coached many soccer recreational teams and travel teams over the last 16 years. Currently, I coach my U11 Warwick Wildcats Travel Soccer Team. Additionally, I have coached youth recreation basketball for several years. I am looking forward to helping coach Flag Football for the first time this spring.

Q: Are you involved in any community activities or volunteer groups (rec. sports, Scouts, church groups, civic/political organizations, etc.)?
A: My family and I enjoy going to church at Grace Community in Warwick.  Recently I was blessed to be able to volunteer at the Night to Shine Prom Event at Grace.  It was rewarding to see our community come together to put on this awesome Prom Event for people with special needs. It was great seeing so many people with smiles on their faces

Candidate Statement explaining Ms. Blanton’s reasons for wanting to be a member of the WVCSD Board of Education:

I wish to be a member of the WVCSD Board of Education to help students and faculty have the best possible experience in school. I also want to help be a voice from our community as we ensure our students are always our top priority. If elected, I am looking forward to collaborating with others on the school board to make positive changes that benefit our school system but at the same time, ensuring we are financially responsible. 

With your support and vote on May 21st, I am looking forward to serving your family on the Warwick Valley Board of Education.

The WVCSD 2024-2025 School Budget Vote will take place on Tuesday, May 21. Polls will be open from 7:00 am until 9:00 pm. For complete 2024-2025 budget details, please visit www.warwickvalleyschools.com/budget.