Poland voters will choose two district residents on May 16 to serve on the Poland Board of Education. Both seats are for five-year terms from July 1, 2023 through June 30, 2028.

Residents who wish to run for a seat on the school board must collect at least 25 signatures from qualified school district voters, in order to have their names on the ballot. 

Petitions must be filed by 5 p.m. April 17. The petitions must be dropped off to the district clerk’s office, 74 Cold Brook Street, Poland, NY 13431. Contact District Clerk Donna Wellington at 315-826-0203 or by email at dwellington@polandcsd.org for a nominating petition.

The Poland Board of Education is composed of seven school district residents elected by voters. Each board member is elected to a five-year term. Board members are not financially compensated.

The board is the official policy-making body of the school district. It is responsible for carrying out the laws and regulations pertaining to the education of students within the district. The board establishes district policy, reviews curriculum and programs of study, and approves the hiring of all personnel, as well as establishing the conditions of employment. The board is also responsible for developing an annual budget for public approval.

To qualify for school board membership, an individual:

• Must be a qualified voter of the school district;

• Must be able to read and write;

• Must be a resident of the district for at least one year prior to the election;

• May not be employed by the board on which they intend to serve;

More information about becoming a school board member is available on the New York State School Board Association website.

School Boards Institute has developed a free informational session that is open to all residents of the Oneida-Madison-Herkimer BOCES region.  Topics to be discussed include: steps to become a candidate, a general review of the roles and responsibilities of board members, and what training is required once elected. More information about the workshop can be found on the Poland Central School District website.