The board of education may, as needed, establish committees whose membership will consist of members of the board. (BOE Policy 2250). The president of the board shall serve as an ex-officio member of all committees to which he/she is not appointed. Board committees shall undertake studies and make reports as charged by the board but shall not act on behalf of the board. Also, any existing standing board committee (i.e., audit, business practices, communications, and policy) must comply with the Open Meetings law which includes providing public notice of such meetings, holding meetings in public, and utilizing executive sessions if applicable.
2025-26 Board of Education Committees
Please note that schedules, agendas and minutes of board of education committee meetings can be found on the district’s online board portal which provides community members with comprehensive information regarding board activities.
Contact the GCSD Board of Education
You can email individual board members at the emails listed below. Email the full GCSD board and superintendent at boardofeducation@guilderlandschools.net
For public comment, please write “public comment” in the subject line of your email.
Members of the GCSD Board of Education for the 2025-26 School Year
Blanca Gonzalez-Parker, President
gonzalezparkerb@guilderlandschools.net
Term: July 1, 2024 – June 30, 2027
Blanca Gonzalez-Parker is serving her third term on the board. She is employed as the Program Associate for Safety and Health at the NYS & CSEA Partnership for Education and Training. Blanca has volunteered for the Pine Bush Elementary School and Farnsworth Middle School PTAs, FMS Mask, the Guilderland Central School District’s Safety and Security Committee, the Western Turnpike Rescue Squad and the Albany County Medical Reserve Corps. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Utica College, a Bachelor of Arts in English, Masters in Public Health with a major in Social Behavior and Community Health and Maternal Child Health. Blanca also earned a Graduate Certificate in Disease Surveillance and Emergency Preparedness from the University at Albany. She and her husband Michael are graduates of Guilderland High School; classes of 1996 and 1993 respectively. They have lived in the district for more than 40 years and have three children; Lucia who attends FMS, Sofia who attends GHS and Isabela who attends Binghamton University.
Board Committee Membership: DEI Committee, Policy Committee
Board Liaison to: Guilderland High School (Alternate)
Katie DiPierro, Vice-President
dipierrok@guilderlandschools.net
Term: July 1, 2025 – June 30, 2028
Katie DiPierro is serving her second term on the board. She is employed as a special education teacher for Capital Region BOCES, teaching a self-contained program at Pine Bush Elementary School. Katie began her teaching career in 2000 and previously taught at Lynnwood Elementary School. She is the secretary for the Guilderland High School PTA, a member of the cross country booster club and a member of the costume committee for FMS Mask. Katie previously served as vice president of events and activities for the PBES PTA and coached the Just Run third grade team for PBES for five years. Katie earned a special education degree and a master’s degree in literacy education from the College of Saint Rose and has lived in GCSD since 2007. She has two children; Samuel and Alaina, both students at GHS.
Board Committee Membership: Communications Committee, Policy Review Committee
Board Liaison to: Pine Bush Elementary, PTA Council (Alternate)
Kim Blasiak
blasiakk@guilderlandschools.net
Term: July 1, 2023-June 30, 2026
Kim Blasiak is serving her second term on the board. A native of Syracuse, she holds a bachelor’s degree in supply chain management from Syracuse University. She is heavily involved in the New York State PTA, serves on the board of KKC Cares and is the booster club president of the Guilderland indoor track team. Kim also serves on the Pine Bush Elementary School building cabinet and as the Pine Bush Elementary School PTA treasurer, the Guilderland Community Special Education PTA co-president and the Guilderland PTA Council vice president. Kim and her husband reside in Schenectady with their four children, all of whom attend Guilderland schools.
Board Committee Membership: Business Practices Committee, Communications Committee, DEI Committee, Policy Review Committee
Board Liaison to:
Meredith Brière
brierem@guilderlandschools.net
Term: July 1, 2025-June 30, 2028
Meredith Brière is serving her first full term on the board; Meredith was appointed to the board in fall 2024 to fill the vacancy created by Judy Slack’s resignation. She is employed by RPCVnexus as the Director of Communications and holds a bachelor’s degree in anthropology from the University of Maryland, College Park. As a GCSD board member, Meredith serves on the Business Practices Committee and the Communications Committee. Meredith is the treasurer of the McKownville Fire District and secretary of the local Democratic Committee. Meredith and her husband have lived in the district for nearly four years and are the parents of two children, ages four and two.
Board Committee Membership: Business Practices Committee, Communications Committee
Board Liaison to: Westmere Elementary School, NYSSBA Advocacy Liaison
Rebecca Butterfield
butterfieldr@guilderlandschools.net
Term: July 1, 2023 – June 30, 2026
Rebecca Butterfield is serving her second term on the board. She is a pediatrician at Albany Medical Center as the Division Chief of the General Pediatrics division and the Section Chief of Child Abuse Pediatrics and also teaches and mentors medical students and residents. Rebecca has a bachelor’s degree in U.S. History and Biology from Union College, a doctorate degree from Albany Medical College, and earned a post doctorate (serving her pediatric internship and residency) at Golisano Children’s Hospital with the University of Rochester. Rebecca and her husband have resided in the district for 16 years and have a son, who is a student at Guilderland High School.
Board Committee Membership: Audit Committee, Policy Review Committee
Board Liaison to: Pine Bush Elementary School (Alternate), Westmere Elementary School (Alternate), CPSE/CSE
Nina Kaplan
kaplann@guilderlandschools.net
Term: May 22, 2024-June 30, 2027
Nina Kaplan is serving her first term on the board. She is employed by the South Colonie Central School District as a social studies teacher, where for 21 years, she has taught grades 8-12 in general education and co-teach classrooms. She has experience teaching students with special needs and has knowledge in pedagogy and social emotional development. Additionally, Nina works for the New York State State Education Department Office of Assessment as an Education Specialist. She has a Bachelor’s Degree in History from University at Albany and a Master of Arts in Teaching from Union College.A district resident for 22 years, Nina is married to Brian Kaplan and has three children — Eliana, a junior at Guilderland High School, Julia, an eighth grade student at Farnsworth Middle School and Harrison, a first grade student at Voorheesville Elementary School.
Board Committee Membership: Business Practices Committee, DEI Committee
Board Liaison to: Altamont Elementary School, Lynnwood Elementary School (Alternate)
Tara Molloy-Grocki
molloy-grockit@guilderlandschools.net
Term: July 1, 2024 – June 30, 2027
Tara Molloy-Grocki is serving her first term on the board. Employed by the Guilderland Central School District as a Guilderland Elementary School teacher for 31 years, she retired on June 30, 2024. Currently serving on the GES DEI Committee, Tara makes a practice of volunteering at school events; through the Guilderland Teachers’ Association, she has participated in food drives as well as National Night Out. Tara received a Bachelor of Music degree with a major in Music Education from Westminster Choir College and a Master’s in Elementary Education from CUNY Queens College. A district resident for 22 years, Tara and her husband Tony have three children — Conor and Sean, Guilderland High School alumni, and Clare, a GHS junior.
Board Committee Membership: Business Practices Committee, DEI Committee
Board Liaison to: Farnsworth Middle School, Guilderland Elementary School (Alternate)
Kelly Person
personk@guilderlandschools.net
Term: July 1, 2025 – June 30, 2028
Kelly Person is serving her third term on the board. She is employed by the Department of the Air Force as an Inspector General. She earned a bachelor’s degree in sociology from the University at Albany and a master’s degree in military operational art and science from Air University Command and Staff College. Kelly is a 2022 graduate of Air University Air War College. As needed, Kelly volunteers for classroom activities and is a member of the Guilderland Elementary School PTA and Farnsworth Middle School PTA. Kelly is involved in FC Dutchmen soccer, Guilderland basketball and CYO basketball. She and her wife, Melinda have been Guilderland residents for 13 years and have four children; Andrew and Thomas are in sixth grade, Jude is in third grade and Lindy is in kindergarten at Guilderland Elementary School. Kelly is also a member of the 2018-19 Leadership Tech Valley Class.
Board Committee Membership: Audit Committee, Communications Committee
Board Liaison to: Guilderland Elementary School, Altamont Elementary School (Alternate), NYSSBA Voting Delegate
Peter Stapleton
stapletonp@guilderlandschools.net
Term: May 21, 2025-June 30, 2026
Peter Stapleton is serving his first term on the board. He is the Assistant Provost for Strategic Initiatives at Russell Sage College; where he also holds the faculty rank of Associate Professor of Physical Education. A tenured teacher and advisor, Peter earned a bachelor’s degree in music industry from The College of Saint Rose. He has a master of science in physical education, initial teaching licensure and a PhD in physical education, teaching and administration, both from Springfield College.
A member of New York State Association of Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance (NYSAHPERD) for more than eight years, Peter is the President-elect of Capital Zone of NYSAHPERD.
A resident of Guilderland for nearly five years, Peter and his wife have two children who attend GCSD schools, Matthew in eighth grade and Abigail in fifth grade.
Board Committee Membership: Audit Committee, Policy Committee
Board Liaison to: Lynnwood Elementary School, Farnsworth Middle School (Alternate)