001[Music and Graphic Board of Education Candidates] [Music and Graphic 1A – Lauren Schellinger] [Lauren Schellinger] Hello to the Williamsville community! I’m Lauren Schellinger and I am proud to be a candidate for the Williamsville School Board. Three things about me First, my husband and I have lived in Williamsville for the last 17 years. I have a son in 7th grade at Mill Middle School and a daughter in 4th grade at Forest Elementary. They are both actively engaged in sports and music through the district and have had wonderful experiences in Williamsville. Second, my career is in commercial banking, and I have served as treasurer and on the finance committee of several local non-profits, including the Forest and Mill PTAs. I believe that fiscal stability and budgetary transparency are foundational to the long-term success of an organization. Third,
002book clubs, backpacking, and line dancing are among my favorite leisure activities. Why I’m running for board: I believe a strong public education system is crucial to a well-functioning society. I feel it's part of my civic duty to give back to the district that is serving my children and stewarding the next generation of the Williamsville community I am proud to live in. My professional and personal experience gives me tools I can use to benefit the district to ensure our students are achieving educational goals and staying intellectually curious. What I want stakeholders to know about me: I believe all students deserve to be challenged to grow to their highest potential, this includes academic rigor, integrated special education services and varied occupational training programs. I truly admire the people who have made their career in education and I
003am looking forward to learning more about the successes and the challenges the district is facing and working diligently through my position on the board to ensure we are fostering an environment conducive to teaching and learning. Thank you for your attention – I hope I can earn your vote on May 19th. I’m Lauren Schellinger and I’m candidate 1A on the ballot. [Music and Graphic 2A – Michael Buscaglia] [Michael Buscaglia] Hi, I’m Michael Buscaglia and I’m candidate 2A on the ballot. I am seeking re-election because I believe that I am the best candidate to continue to help the Williamsville school district move forward in a positive and effective direction. I will continue to strive to enhance the relationships and communication within our community and district, as I have over my first six years in office. I want
004to continue to support policies that will provide the greatest environment for learning and teaching for our teachers and students. I desire to hold true to my values of creating a unified school district and learning environment that fosters all students and their needs. Finally, I believe as board members we should always be aware of our parents' beliefs and values in fostering the best learning environment for our students. I have been a lifelong Williamsville resident and graduated from Williamsville South High School in 2000. And now, I have the great honor of having three children attend this great school district. I have been a teacher for over 19 years, while coaching soccer, baseball and gymnastics. I have served over 15 years as both the 7th grade team leader and a Union Executive board member as a head building
005representative and Vice President. During my time on the board, I continue to truly put first students and make sure their education needs are met. I value the teachers and administrators in our district and I strive to make decisions in the best interest of the students and their families instead of making decisions based on an agenda. Thank you and I hope to have your support on election day. Michael Buscaglia 2A. [Music and Graphic 3A – Philip G. Danielson] [Philip G. Danielson] Hello, my name is Phil Danielson. I am a Christian Conservative Republican desiring to serve our community and advocate for education that comes alongside parents to educate and raise children in virtue, wisdom and character. My Platform: • Is it TRUE? • Is it RIGHT? • Is it GOOD? Let’s explore these ideas: Is it true?
006On tests we see “True and False” questions. True represents how the world really is. A fact. Something accurate. False represents something that is not True. In our world, how do we discern between the two? Education should focus strongly on presenting what is true for students to think about, memorize, and use, equipping them for a firm foundation to become responsible adults and citizens. Fact vs. Fiction. Fact is something True. A piece of information proven by evidence, whether historical, physical or observational. We should focus education on teaching proven fact, as a foundation for thinking. Fiction should be clearly identified as “made up” or not factually true. Our history classes, for example, should be full of historical fact. Is it right? Right and wrong. We teach our children this every day. Teachers, as we pay them to teach
007our children, should do the same. This is Right. This is Wrong. This is appropriate behavior. This is not. Stealing is wrong. Telling the truth is right. Obeying your parents is right. Disobeying your parents is wrong. Curriculum and school materials should have a strong bias towards presenting the right things to do, establishing the pattern for right behavior, as hard as they are, but against which there is no law. Is it good? If everyone did “it” would it still be good? Some examples: Everyone told the truth all the time. Yes, good – and wow, wouldn’t that be not only good but amazing) Everyone stole from the store. No, not good – stores would go out of business as they could never make a profit and we would no longer have places to go to buy things. Everyone
008thought on whatever is true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent and praiseworthy. Yes, good – as these would raise our thoughts and focus to a higher plane to which our behaviors could follow. Thanks for watching. Vote for Phil on May 19. [Music and Graphic 4A – Dr. Kerry Spicer] [Dr. Kerry Spicer] Hello! My name is Kerry Spicer and I am excited to be running once again for the Williamsville School Board. As a proud parent of children at Mill Middle and Williamsville South High schools, I have been actively involved in the district for the past 12 years. My involvement has included serving as a volunteer with the Williamsville Girl Scouts Service Unit, the Special Education, Mill Middle, and South PTSAs. As a member of the Board of Education since 2023, I have been the liaison to
009the South PTSA, SEPTSA, on the BOE onboarding committee, Policy committee, the Student Board Member committee and the Special Education Advisory Counsel. Advocacy and access to education is central to my work and my life. I am an advocate for my children, but also for ALL children and their support systems. In my professional role, I am the Vice President for Student Affairs at Daemen University which means I work with students, faculty, staff, and families as a team to help those students reach their goals! I have worked in higher education for over 20 years at 3 regional institutions. I spend my days providing students support as they navigate their educational experience and this work can be extremely complicated as we look at a changing economy, mental health crises, academic challenges, and the increase in demand for services. I
010am also the chair of the University’s emergency response team and have responded to global and regional crises with a level head and a strategic mind. As a current board member, I have gained knowledge from all the work that I have done. I have learned so much from school visits, community forums, conversations with the staff, committee work, and serving as a liaison to many groups. In these spaces, I can hear from people I may not always hear from and let them tell me what it is like to navigate our district from their unique perspective. I use this information as a lens through which to view presentations, review policies, strategic planning and as a place to advocate. I am incredibly proud of the Williamsville school district. We have amazing schools with so many people working to ensure
011that our children have everything they need. It is my goal to continue to give back to this community as a board member by focusing on advocacy, communication, and excellence. Thank you for your support! [Music and Graphic Board of Education Candidates]