Meet the candidates for Monroe-Woodbury School Board

Suzanne Donahue, Sergey Koyfman and Staci McCleary, (Incumbents)

What incident, circumstance or other motivation prompted you to run?

We have been on the Monroe-Woodbury school board collectively for 16 years. Suzanne Donahue has served three terms (9 years), Staci McCleary 2 terms (6 years)and Dr. Sergey Koyfman is in his first term. We have chosen to continue our service to the students of Monroe-Woodbury to enhance and improve our school district.

Suzanne Donahue has children that graduated M-W and now has a grandson in Central Valley Elementary. Staci McCleary has four children, two have graduated, one is graduating this year and a freshman in the HS. Sergey Koyfman has a child that has graduated and a Sophomore at the HS.

We are motivated to assure that all the children of our district have access to the best education. We will continue to work on the goals that we have set during our time on the board.

What, specifically and concretely, would be your primary goals to accomplish if you win?

Our primary goals are to continue to work together and develop policies, programs and curriculum that fit the needs of all students within our buildings. We work on various committees from policy, audit, visitation, facilities, and the re-opening task force. Each one of us has brought our various expertise to each meeting and contributed accordingly. We listen to the needs of our students, parents, staff and taxpayers during these difficult months and know that the safety and security of our students is a top priority. We are at the forefront of encouraging our district leaders to bring in the additional security officers, a new director of security and additional Deans at both the MS and HS buildings. We have also listened to the concerns regarding curriculum and plan to have a more active role in curriculum formation and provide valuable feedback in this process. As BOE trustees we know the success of our students is a partnership with our staff, community, parents and administrators.

What experience, education or other factors give you the ability to be skillful in this office and accomplish your goals?

As incumbents we bring a wide variety of expertise and experience to the board of education. We are a very diverse group of individuals.

Staci McCleary has a Master’s in School Counseling and has worked within the NYC School system in District 26. She has been a volunteer within the M-W district for the last 16 years, including PTA President, PTA Council President and current Board President for the past two years.

Suzanne Donahue received her BA in mathematics from Lehman College and her MS in mathematics/education.

She has taught in various school settings, including Walton, Teaching and the Professions HS, Lehman College and currently she works as the master schedule planner at Celia Cruz Bronx H.S. of Music on the Walton Campus. Suzanne Donahue was also the union representative at T&P for five years and remains active in the UFT.

Dr. Sergey Koyfman is a head and neck surgeon and a partner at ENT and Allergy Associates LLP. He completed his residency training in ENT at Michigan State University and a fellowship in Head and Neck Oncology and Microvascular Reconstructive Surgery at Indiana University. He serves as a Medical Director of Head and Neck Oncology, Chairman of Department of Otolaryngology and Ophthalmology and member of Medical Executive Committee at Garnet Health. He also is an associate professor of Otolaryngology at Mount Sinai School of Medicine. Dr. Koyfman and his wife Edith are members of Columbia University Global Mental Health Council.

What would be your strategy?

Our focus is to continue to work together for our students. As board trustees our focus is always first on our students and leading them towards great academic achievement. As trustees we also have an obligation to be fiscally responsible to our tax payers. We have worked with the administration to put forward a budget that benefits and enhances our students’ needs while also being under the 2% tax cap. As board trustees, we bring our individual opinions, talents and expertise into all decisions being made.

We look forward to continuing our service to the Monroe-Woodbury Board of Education.

Jeffrey Reynolds

What incident, circumstance or other motivation prompted you to run?

Our community deserves experienced transparent leaders who will listen to all voices, are accountable, and hold others accountable.

What, specifically and concretely, would be your primary goals to accomplish if you win?

• Reduce class sizes by hiring less administrators and more faculty and staff

• Tackle the safety problems in our schools by having standards, accountability, and real consequences

• Ensure dignity and respect are shown for all

• Increase communication

• To be more fiscally responsible

What experience, education or other factors give you the ability to be skillful in this office and accomplish your goals?

• Currently the West Point Chief of Protocol and advisor to the Superintendent with more than 20 years of service as an Army Civilian

• Currently serve and have served on multiple executive boards

• Previously served as the West Point Executive Officer for Strategic Communications with oversight of the Band, Public Affairs, and Marketing offices

• Served as a Recruiting/Admissions Specialist for Army Athletics

• Earned a B.A. from MSMC and a Master’s in School Counseling from LIU Volunteer for the M-W Building Leadership Committees and youth sports

• Have 5 children in the district ranging from Elementary to High school

What would be your strategy?

My strategy would be to face problems head on with transparency and accountability. My experiences, expertise, and skills can help bring a new and different perspective to our board. We need to find more fiscally responsible ways to tackle the serious problems our schools face and we need proven experienced leaders to do that.