Becoming a Board of Education Member

The Rye Neck Board of Education is made up of six members who are elected by voters living in the school district. Members of the Board serve for a three-year term. Terms are staggered so that each year the terms of two members expire.

Each spring, voters not only elect two Board members but are also asked to approve the school district’s annual operating budget for the upcoming school year.

This year, the election of Board members and the school budget vote are scheduled to take place on Tuesday, May 21st. The current three-year terms of Board members Patty Nashelsky and Rebecca Mansell will expire this year. 

Candidates seeking to become a Board of Education member must be nominated by petition. Candidates should contact District Clerk Mary Ellen Chiera at mchiera@ryeneck.org or 914-777-5252 to obtain the petition and any other required materials.

The qualifications of a Rye Neck Board candidate are that the candidate be:

● able to read and write;
● a qualified voter of the district; and
● a resident of the school district for at least one year immediately prior to election.

Anyone who is interested in seeking election as a Board member is encouraged to see Section 2000 of the Rye Neck Policy Manual, which details all aspects of Board of Education governance, responsibilities and operations. The New York State School Boards Association has developed a helpful brochure on what prospective school board members should know about taking on this important community responsibility.

The members of our current Board have offered their thoughts on what it means to serve on the Rye Neck Board of Education.

Please see Candidate Do's and Don'ts for helpful campaigning tips.   

Trustee Election Timeline

● April 22, 2024:  Nominating Petitions are due by 4 p.m. 
● April 22, 2024:  1st Candidate Expenditure Form due by 4 p.m.
● April 22, 2024:  Candidates need to be present in Administration Office at 4:30 p.m. to draw straws for placement on the ballot.
● May 16, 2024:  2nd Candidate Expenditure Form due by 4 p.m. 
● June 10, 2024:  3rd Candidate Expenditure Form due by 4 p.m. 
● May 16, 2024:  Potential Virtual Candidates’ Forum Sponsored by the League of Women Voters - TBD
● Not Later Than April 22, 2024:  Email to mchiera@ryeneck.org candidate's bio and headshot for Value Education Newsletter