The Wallkill Board of Education will have four candidates seeking three at-large seats in the upcoming 2025 board election. The candidates in ballot order are Chris Olson, Dustin Palen, David Bartolone and James Holmes.The three candidates with the highest number of votes will serve three-year terms beginning July 1 and expiring June 30, 2028.

Olson and Holmes are first-time candidates while Palen and Bartolone are the respective incumbents. The annual election and budget vote will take place on May 20 from noon to 9 p.m. Leptondale and Plattekill Elementary schools and Wallkill Senior High School are the designated polling locations for 2025.

Chris Olson
A 30-year plus Wallkill resident and Wallkill alum, Class of 1999, candidate Chris Olson is feeling excited, deciding to run for school board after considering it for two to three years. He and his wife, an educator in New Paltz, have two young children that attend Wallkill schools, which influenced his decision to run for a board position.

Discussing his background, Olson earned a bachelor’s degree in business management and currently serves as a banking executive. Outside of his work, Olson has volunteered with several nonprofit organizations throughout his career. Olson is passionate about giving back to the district that helped shape who he is today.

As a candidate, Olson believes his professional background has equipped him with strong skills in strategic planning, budget management, and relationship building that will bring value to the board and community. Olson’s priorities, if elected, are transparency, fiscal responsibility, and open communication between the district and the community. Olson is excited to work with the other board members, learning the processes of the district, if elected.

“I believe in the area. I believe in the school district. I just want to thank everybody, really, for nominating me, trusting me with this important decision,” said Olson. “I’m excited for the opportunity to serve and to contribute to the future success of our students and district.”

Dustin Palen
Dustin Palen, incumbent, Wallkill alum, Class of 1993 and longtime resident, seeks another three-year term to the Walkill school board. Palen has served for the past nine years, serving on the Health and Safety, Buildings and Grounds, Budget and Policy Committees within the board.

Outside of board duties, Palen is a Captain with the Orange County Sheriff’s Office, has coached Wallkill Youth Football and is a 28-year member of the Modena Fire Department. He and his wife, a fellow Wallkill alum, have raised two children, both graduated. His wife and his daughter now teach at Ostrander Elementary school together and his son has completed his third year of college.

As a candidate, Palen believes all students deserve the best education in a safe environment while being conscientious of costs to taxpayers. Palen supported the placement of officers in the schools when first elected, and the program is still active today. He is also happy with the installation of security vestibules to the district’s buildings as part of a capital project.

If re-elected, Palen looks to continue being a part of the collaborative effort prioritizing students, keeping them safe and hopes voters will look to his record and tenure come election day. He also looks forward to celebrating the graduating class in the coming month. “I enjoy coming and working with the board and the administration. I like giving back to the district that did so much for me,” said Palen. “I want to see this district continue to move forward.”

David Bartolone
Another incumbent in the election, David Bartolone is seeking a return to the school board this spring. Bartolone has lived in the district area for the past 20 years with his wife and three children, two alumni and one still at Wallkill high school. He first joined the board in 2020 and is excited about the election coming up in the next few weeks.

As a current Board of Education member, Bartolone says his mission is to represent Wallkill students, parents, and educators with honesty, integrity, and dedication. He remains committed to continuing this work by fostering a safe and healthy learning environment for all students and staff. He also serves as chair of the technology committee within the board.

If re-elected, Bartolone says he will continue to collaborate closely and effectively with the Wallkill Central School District staff to build strong, inclusive educational programs that meet the diverse needs of students. Bartolone is also passionate about supporting Special Education initiatives and will keep working with the Special Education Committee to ensure students have access to the latest technology and the most up-to-date, impactful curriculum.

As an incumbent, he has enjoyed working with the current board and administration and hopes to continue that work if re-elected by the Wallkill voters come May 20. “Wallkill has been so good to us, to our family, to my children. They’ve gotten so much out of the district that I feel that it’s kind of my responsibility now to kind of pay it forward and keep moving things forward in the right direction for all the future students in Wallkill,” said Bartolone. “I’ll continue to move the ballot forward and keep working as hard as I can for your children and for you.”

James Holmes
Wallkill resident and father of three, James Holmes is a newly announced candidate seeking a seat on the board. He already feels great, getting positive feedback on his announcement.

Holmes is a retired New York City police officer and now works for a security company that services the Valley Central School District . He has volunteered in his local community and worked as a substitute teacher in Wallkill during the COVID pandemic at the elementary schools.

Holmes’ decision to run stems from the work and support Wallkill teachers have had for him and his family as his youngest child receives special education help. His two older children currently attend Wallkill high school, with one set to graduate in June.

Holmes goals, if elected, are to maintain school safety and security, work with fellow board members and parents to ensure that Special Education continues to receive the resources needed to empower students and listen to both parents and teachers to make informed decisions. Holmes also looks to be an ally and bring attention to programs like drama, orchestra, and chorus, is against teacher cuts and emphasizes the importance of building maintenance.

“I know that I have a lot of integrity. I’m always going to think about what’s best for their children first, and what’s best for me last because it’s not about me and it’s not about other board members,” Holmes says to voters. “It’s about what education the kids can get, and it’s about what services they can get, what help we can give to the families.”