Rivera Wins Another Term as President of Schenectady School Board

July 18, 2024

Updated: July 18, 2024

SCHENECTADY — The Schenectady Board of⁣ Education has once again entrusted Bernice Rivera with the role of President, marking her second consecutive year in the position. Nohelani Etienne, the board’s⁢ Vice President, also managed to retain her leadership role in a closely contested vote during the board’s meeting on July 10.

Rivera’s nomination for ⁣the school board‌ president role⁢ was put forward by fellow board member Amanda Sponable-Pantalone during the board’s reorganization meeting. The board unanimously backed Rivera’s reappointment, with no other nominations for the position.

This ‍marks‍ Rivera’s⁤ second consecutive year as president, and the second year of her third three-year term on the council.

“I ⁤am deeply honored to continue serving as president,” Rivera expressed on Monday. “We have ‍a dynamic team of dedicated individuals who are passionate⁣ about providing our Schenectady youth with the educational resources and ⁢infrastructure they deserve. I am proud to be part of a team that prioritizes our students.”

Sponable-Pantalone nominated Vivian Parsons, another⁢ board member, for the vice president role. However, Cathy Lewis, another ‍board member, nominated the incumbent Etienne, who ‌was reappointed⁣ by⁤ a 4-3 margin.

Etienne, Rivera,⁢ Lewis, and Jamaica Miles voted in‌ favor of ‍Etienne’s reappointment as vice president, ‍while ‌Parsons, Alexandria ⁤Carver, and ⁤Sponable-Pantalone voted for Parsons.

The ⁣reorganization⁤ meeting also saw Carver, the city’s director of⁢ development, begin her first term on the board, and Miles start her second three-year term on the council, following their election in May.

“I’m ⁢excited to build on ⁢the momentum and continue the excellent work that⁣ lies ahead for the board,” Carver expressed‌ during the meeting.

Valerie Smith, the Assistant Director ⁤of Social Studies and Civic Readiness, announced her resignation⁣ from the district after 24 years ⁢of service during the Wednesday night meeting. Smith, ⁣who did not have another ⁣job⁢ lined up and was not retiring, expressed her disappointment with the lack of support from the district⁢ regarding unspecified personnel concerns.

“Despite the strength of the community I work‍ in, I could not escape two‍ years of negativity from ‌someone in a leadership position,” Smith told the ‍board. “I thought I had made⁢ the right people aware of ⁢the‌ situation, but despite their expressions of concern and offers to help,⁤ nothing was ‌done. ‌My resignation‌ letter was met with, ‘We support your decision and we’ll miss you.’ But no actual support was offered.”

Carlos Cotto Jr., the Schenectady ⁣Superintendent, stated after the meeting that ‍he could not comment on personnel matters.

“I’m leaving because I have the power to choose⁢ how I want ‍to ⁣be⁤ treated,” Smith told the board.