North Salem Board of Education Election Guide

NORTH SALEM, N.Y. - When North Salem Central School District voters head to the polls later this month, they will be tasked with choosing between three candidates vying for a pair of open board seats. Seeking terms on the NSCSD Board of Education will be Elizabeth Bridges (Grob), Paul Giamundo, and Elizabeth Malvino.

An in-person candidate forum, moderated by the League of Women Voters of Northeast Westchester, will be held on Monday, May 13, at 7 p.m. in the North Salem Middle/High School library.

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The polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Tuesday, May 21, at Pequenakonck Elementary School.

North Salem News offered the candidates the opportunity to address voters and explain, in their own words, their experience, qualifications, and what they see as the biggest issues facing the Board of Education and the district.

Elizabeth Bridges (Grob)

Please list your career and educational accomplishments.

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Education: North Salem Central School District graduate -- Class of 1999. Westchester Community College, associate degree in business management. Career: Director of communications and member marketing at Siwanoy Country Club in Bronxville.

What other leadership positions have you held locally?

A third-generation North Salem resident, I’m raising two children in the district, one at Pequenakonck Elementary School and the other at the Middle School/High School.

Current co-president Pequenakonck Elementary School PTO; co-troop leader Girl Scouts Heart of the Hudson Inc.; member of school district’s Safety and Mission Committees; and past member of the district’s Communications Committee.

What are the most important issues facing the district and the Board of Education, and why are the most qualified to address them?

I have been following the board for a while, and to maintain excellence in the district, the following areas I believe are crucial to its success:

Strong financial stewardship: State aid and state pension obligations will continue to be unpredictable, and the board must pay close attention to how federal aid trickles down through the state bureaucracy. I’ve appreciated seeing the school budget managed conservatively.

Continuous improvement in curriculum: Our district is fortunate to have dedicated teachers and administrators who are focused on the quality and continuity of the curriculum. Our school’s leaders are the curriculum experts, but of course, families should always feel that their ideas and feedback are heard. Our district has demonstrated a desire for continuous improvement.

Encouraging increased community engagement and input on important issues before the board: Board meetings have always been open to community members and students during public sessions, but I’ve observed that attendance has been sparse. I support all efforts to increase community engagement, whether through technology, improvements to communications, or adding a student representative to the board. I understand the importance of clear communication, transparency, accountability, and fiscal responsibility, all attributes I would bring to the board.

If voted a trustee, I would focus on ensuring that all our children have access to an excellent education and that we foster a positive learning and work environment for all students, teachers, and staff.

Paul Giamundo

Please list your career and educational accomplishments.

I have lived in the North Salem School District with my wife Ronnie since 1993. We raised two daughters here, both of whom graduated from North Salem High School graduates. Currently we are raising our two grandchildren, one in PQ, the other in Middle School.

I am a former Social Studies teacher with a master’s degree in education, a former counselor, and a former director of a crisis hotline.

I continue to volunteer as a teacher in a local youth program in a private school. I have coached for many years in our town softball and basketball programs.

I am past president and a proud active member of the Lions Club, which gives back to people in so many ways including annual scholarships to our graduates.

Currently I am semi-retired in the area of contractor services.

What other leadership positions have you held locally?

I have been on the school board since 2005. I have served on numerous board committees, attend monthly area school board meetings and presentations including the annual three-day state conventions and trips to Albany to discuss school-related topics with our representatives.

I have been presented with the School Board Mastery Award from the New York State School Board Association.

I am also proud to have set an area record of perfect attendance – over 364 consecutive school board meetings.

What are the most important issues facing the district and the Board of Education, and why are you the most qualified to address them?

What does it mean to be a successful school district and what does success look like in our community is a question which has been asked at our recent community conversations attended by parents, teachers, students, and members of the public.

Moving forward, it is important for us to analyze input received, review and evaluate our progress, and make modifications as needed to define what success looks like in our district.

Having a background in education and being involved on the board for 18 years, allows me to draw on my experience here and in education in general from a valuable and unique perspective.

Elizabeth Malvino

Please list your career and educational accomplishments.

My education includes a Bachelor of Arts degree in psychology from Skidmore College, a master’s degree in social work from Fordham University, and a Lean Six Sigma certification.

While being a mom is my favorite role by far, professionally I have been a licensed clinical social worker (LCSW) for more than 20 years.

During my career, I’ve had experience as a support group facilitator, hospice intake specialist, quality and safety coordinator, private practice therapist, inpatient social worker, and ADHD/executive function coach. These are skill sets I can bring with me to help our district achieve its goals, particularly in the areas of mental health and wellness.

What other leadership positions have you held locally?

I have been a North Salem resident since 2013 and I have two children who currently attend the Middle School/High School. In addition to being a catalyst for the school start time change initiative, I am also an active member of the North Salem School District’s Mission Committee and Mental Health Awareness Team (MHAT).

What are the most important issues facing the district and the Board of Education, and why are you the most qualified to address them?

I am concerned about the emotional wellbeing of our students. Too many kids feel depressed, unsafe, and apprehensive.

Behavioral issues are on the rise in classrooms, taking valuable time away from instruction. Crucial skills for studying, planning, self-regulation, and time management are being addressed inconsistently. I’d like to work with our district to tackle these complex problems.

As a board member, my goal would be to look at all concerns holistically, through multiple lenses, considering budgetary constraints and stakeholder input.

With my extensive clinical background, I am qualified to help address these challenges by bringing a collaborative mindset and intention to work proactively with administration, teachers, community members, students, and board colleagues. If elected, I look forward to serving you with compassion and purpose.

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