POPLAR RIDGE - The three candidates for Southern Cayuga school board all hope to make positive changes.
A public forum Monday night gave the voters time to ponder which two should be given the chance.
R. Dean Winspear has been a Southern Cayuga school district resident for 31 years. He is a retired ironworker superintendent, supervising as many as 70 workers. He oversaw budgets of up to $20 million and believes his past experience would help in his role as a board member.
Winspear is actively involved in many volunteer organizations, including King Ferry Community Association, Ledyard Church and SCCS Drug and Alcohol Abuse Committee.
His five grown children all attended Southern Cayuga schools, and several of his grandchildren are currently attending.
"I have wanted to be a member of the board for a long time," Winspear said. "Now that I am retired, I feel that I have the time to devote to it."
Leonard Jordan of Aurora, is a retired teacher and has resided in the district for more than 50 years. He is an active volunteer at the school and holds memberships at several local organizations.
He has previously served as town justice, president of Aurora fire department and director of Camp Gregory.
"I stepped down from my previous seat on the school board three years ago," Jordan said. "I feel that I have the time to better serve the board now."
With five young children attending Southern Cayuga schools, Michelle Dean of Aurora has been a resident for more than 20 years.
She is currently employed at Cayuga-Onondaga BOCES as a certified assistant. She is trained in therapeutic crisis intervention and graduated from Cazenovia College where she majored in special education and early childhood education.
Her extensive volunteer activities include universal pre-k committee, Emily Howland Elementary School community advisory committee, three community canvassing committees for principal searches and others.
"I would like to see constructive changes happen within our school district by addressing concerns in a swift and thorough manner," Dean said. "As a mother, I have actively participated in many district events. The choices that I have made in my life have always put children first."
The three candidates are vying for two open seats on the school board, each carrying a 3-year term.
Voting takes place May 17 in the district's planetarium.
R. Dean Winspear has been a Southern Cayuga school district resident for 31 years. He is a retired ironworker superintendent, supervising as many as 70 workers. He oversaw budgets of up to $20 million and believes his past experience would help in his role as a board member.
Winspear is actively involved in many volunteer organizations, including King Ferry Community Association, Ledyard Church and SCCS Drug and Alcohol Abuse Committee.
His five grown children all attended Southern Cayuga schools, and several of his grandchildren are currently attending.
"I have wanted to be a member of the board for a long time," Winspear said. "Now that I am retired, I feel that I have the time to devote to it."
Leonard Jordan of Aurora, is a retired teacher and has resided in the district for more than 50 years. He is an active volunteer at the school and holds memberships at several local organizations.
He has previously served as town justice, president of Aurora fire department and director of Camp Gregory.
"I stepped down from my previous seat on the school board three years ago," Jordan said. "I feel that I have the time to better serve the board now."
With five young children attending Southern Cayuga schools, Michelle Dean of Aurora has been a resident for more than 20 years.
She is currently employed at Cayuga-Onondaga BOCES as a certified assistant. She is trained in therapeutic crisis intervention and graduated from Cazenovia College where she majored in special education and early childhood education.
Her extensive volunteer activities include universal pre-k committee, Emily Howland Elementary School community advisory committee, three community canvassing committees for principal searches and others.
"I would like to see constructive changes happen within our school district by addressing concerns in a swift and thorough manner," Dean said. "As a mother, I have actively participated in many district events. The choices that I have made in my life have always put children first."
The three candidates are vying for two open seats on the school board, each carrying a 3-year term.
Voting takes place May 17 in the district's planetarium.
The Citizens' Say
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