John Fraher

Fraher, of 12 Witte Road, Albany, is seeking his first term on the Board. Fraher is a chief financial officer for a group of health care companies in Albany, where his responsibilities include health care reimbursement regulatory issues, corporate governance, budget forecasting, investments, insurance, and pension management. He is a graduate of Bishop Gibbons High School and attended Pace University School of Business before graduating from Wayne State University School of Business, CPA program. In addition, he is a CVA (certified valuation analyst) and CBM (certified business manager) with certification in estate planning. Fraher is actively serving on six Boards as either a director, officer, or trustee and has previously been involved in Cub Scouts and youth soccer.

A lifelong resident of the district, he and his wife, Anna, have four children: Richard Jones, a Guilderland graduate, Evan, grade 8 at FMS, Ian, grade 6 at FMS, and Shane, grade 2 at GES.

Why do you want to be a member of the Guilderland Board of Education?

"Teachers need resources to educate our children, it is only fair that our tax dollars be spent wisely and effectively. We must maintain the fine education that has been the mark of our community while making sure that the choices with our tax dollars. We must find a sensible way to to reduce the ever-growing tax burden on all of us. My experience in finance makes me confident that I can help us to achieve high quality education and fiscal responsibility."

Barbara Fraterrigo

Fraterrigo, of 21 Ableman Avenue, Albany, is running for her fourth term on the Board of Education. A district resident for 36 years, she is the business manager for an area physician. Fraterrigo holds a bachelor’s degree in biology/chemistry from Boston’s Emmanuel College, with a minor in secondary education. She and her husband, Philip, have five children: Philip, Michael, David, Lynn and Kerri-Ann, all Guilderland graduates. Fraterrigo has managed and coached numerous community sports teams--including Little League baseball, Babe Ruth baseball, Pine Bush softball, and CYO and GBA basketball--over the past 26 years. In addition, she has served on the Guilderland Public Library board of trustees for 18 years, including terms as president and vice president. She is also a lector and Eucharistic minister with Christ the King church.

Why do you want to be a member of the Guilderland Board of Education?

"I am running for a fourth full term on the School Board because I want to help secure a quality education for the next generation. The next few years will bring many challenges to our district as senior administrators will be retiring, many contracts will be up for renewal and the needs of students must be balanced against the tax burden on our fellow citizens. As we enter a true technology age, we must provide our students with the skills they need. As the world gets smaller and smaller, our children should be able to communicate in a second language. Who among us hasn't dialed a number and been asked if we want to proceed in English or Spanish? I have long been an advocate of exposing our youngest students to a second language as all research indicates that this is the ideal time for introduction. I am very pleased that we have proposed such a program in this year's budget. I have thoroughly enjoyed my years of service and believe that my demonstrated common sense, listening skills, advocacy for children, quiet leadership, fiscal responsibility and belief in a true partnership with the community will serve the needs of both students and taxpayers."

Carolyn Kelly

Kelly, of 4110 Stonefield Way, Schenectady, is seeking her first term on the Board. Kelly is an auditor with more than 17 years of experience in financial, forensic, and internal auditing for Liberty Mututal Group and Charles E. Hock Associates, serving Fortune 500 to medium sized firms. She is a graduate of Cardinal O'Hara High School in Springfield, PA, and earned a bachelor of science degree in accounting from St. Joseph's University in Philadelphia. Throughout the years, Carolyn has been involved in numerous school and community groups including: Guilderland's Citizens Budget Advisory Committee, PTA Council, GHS and FMS, and Pine Bush PTA, Capital District Parents for Children with Special Needs, St. Madeline Sophie Church, and Girl Scouts. She has also been a team manager for youth basketball teams.

A district resident for 21 years, she and her husband, Dan, have three children: Erin, grade 9 at GHS, Mary, grade 8 at FMS, and Danny, age 5.

Why do you want to be a member of the Guilderland Board of Education?

"I truly love children and want to ensure that each and every child in our community continues to receive the education and skills they need to move on to other learning opportunities, at a reasonable cost to the taxpayers. I believe that parents, the first and primary educators of their children, should be embraced and their concerns respectfully considered. This year is a critical year in our district as we work to hire a new superintendent. Going forward, a decline in state aid and the projected decrease in enrollment in the near future will require thoughtful discussion and tough choices on allocation of our resources. I believe the varied volunteer experiences I have had in support of the district, coupled with my experience in the private sector, and my experience as a parent and volunteer, make me an excellent choice to participate in the final superintendent selection process, and in the long term, to serve the children, parents, and our community effectively as a Board of Education member."

Colleen O'Connell

O’Connell, of 629 Salvia Lane, Schenectady, is seeking her second term on the Board of Education. O'Connell is a graduate of Hamilton College and of the University of Connecticut School of Law. She worked as a civil trial attorney for 18 years before becoming a full-time homemaker in 2003. She and her husband, Joseph Scott, have been district residents for twelve years. They have three children: Hannah, a 9th grader at GHS; Nate, an 8th grader at FMS and Noah, a 5th grader at Pine Bush Elementary School. All three Scott children have been continuously enrolled in Guilderland schools since kindergarten. Prior to her 2004 election to the board, O'Connell served on the PTA Council and was a member of Citizens' Budget Advisory Committee. She is also a former president of Guilderland Girls Youth Lacrosse, is a active volunteer in her church and has been an officer and committee chair at Pine Bush Elementary School.

Why do you want to be a member of the Guilderland Board of Education?

"I am running for my second term on the Board of Education because I continue to believe that it is extremely important that some school board members have children enrolled in the district, including younger children. As a parent with children at Pine Bush Elementary for the past ten years, I believe I bring an important perspective to the board: the importance of small class size and appropriate resources to support teachers. As a parent whose children are variously involved in sports, performance music, special education and many other district offerings, I believe that I have had a good deal of exposure to many educational issues in the district. I also believe that my training as an attorney has given me a great capacity to listen carefully to all sides of an issue, be open to many aspects and nuances of a topic and ask appropriate questions to more fully understand the matter at hand. Finally, I believe that in my three years on the school board, I have demonstrated my commitment and passion for public education and for working in a collegial and productive manner with my fellow school board members."

Gloria Towle-Hilt

Towle-Hilt, of 210 Stanford Drive, Schenectady, is seeking her first term on the Board. Towle-Hilt has worked as a social studies teacher in the Guilderland School District for more than 35 years and will be retiring this June. She is a graduate of Lindenhurst High School and SUNY Albany, where she earned both her BA and MA in social studies education. Outside of the classroom, Towle-Hilt is involved in numerous organizations. She is an active member of St. Madeline Sophie Parish, serving as a lector, Eucharistic minister, and member of the Pastoral Council. She is also an active volunteer with Habitat for Humanity, and has organized the building of a Habitat home within the Guilderland community. In addition, Towle-Hilt regularly takes 10-12 students each month to St. John's Outreach Center to serve lunch to the less fortunate in Albany's South End.  She has been engaged in that work for 17 plus years.

A district resident for 24 years, she and her husband, Robert, have two children: Laura and David, both Guilderland graduates.

Why do you want to be a member of the Guilderland Board of Education?

"Since 1971 I have been privileged to be a teacher at Farnsworth Middle School. I will be retiring this June and believe that becoming a member of the Board of Education would allow me to continue to serve our community and our schools. My husband and I have been residents of Guilderland since 1982 and both our children were educated through Guilderland schools. I believe that my background and experience can be helpful as the Board wrestles with the overall issue of providing quality education for our children while balancing the needs of taxpayers. As a parent I had to face issues of my own children's strengths and weaknesses. I had to determine how they would be best served. As a Guilderland teacher I have been challenged to be a continual learner--always seeking better ways to teach my students and assist parents along their journey. As a Board member I would continue to challenge myself and others to listen thoughtfully, define issues and seek feasible solutions. Mahatma Gandhi once said, "Be the change you wish to see in the world." I find it impossible to sit on the sidelines when there is an opportunity to create positive change. Being a member of the Guilderland Board of Education would allow me to continue my service to our community."

 

Missed the district's Meet the Candidates Night? Watch a replay of the May 2, 2007 event on TWC Channel 16 in the Town of Guilderland: May 3 at 7:30 p.m. May 4 at 3 p.m. May 5 at 12 p.m. May 6 at 7:30 p.m. May 7 at 3 p.m. May 9 at 7:30 p.m. May 10 at 12 p.m. May 11 at 3 p.m. May 13 at 7:30 p.m. (Programming is subject to change without notice.)