The Wallkill Central School District Board of Education will see four incumbents of the district seek their respective seats for additional terms. Incumbents Vincent Petroccelli, David Bartolone and Kathryn Anderson and will seek another three year term on the board. With the resignation of Ursula Petricek, newest member Erin McCartney seeks another year term.

The Board of Education elections will be held on May 16 along with the vote for the adopted working budget at $85.4 million for the upcoming 2023-2024 school year for Wallkill. The Wallkill Central School District had presented a tax levy of 1.99% which translated to $395,480 below the tax levy limit, and the proposed budget increase was at 4.59%. The polls will be open from noon to 9 p.m. and polling sites will be located at the Leptondale Elementary School, Plattekill Elementary School and the Wallkill Senior High School.

Vincent Petroccelli
Incumbent Vincent Petroccelli will seek re-election to the Wallkill Board of Education this coming spring for another three-year term. Petroccelli did not respond to a request for comment in preparation for this story.

According to Petroccelli’s biography, he has served the Wallkill community for over 15 years. He first joined the board in 2008 and has been a district resident for the past 28 years. Within the district, he has had two daughters who went through Wallkill schools. While serving on the board for Wallkill, Petroccelli has also represented the district as a member of the Ulster County BOCES Board.

He did not respond to a request to be interviewed for this article.

David Bartolone
Incumbent David Bartolone will seek re-election for his second three year term in Wallkill. “I’m proud to have been a member of this board. We’ve done a lot of great things for the community, as well as the students and staff,” said Bartolone. “I think it’s a really good time for me to run, especially because of the bond that we just secured and all the work that’s going to be going on within the district.”

A 20 year resident of the Wallkill district, Bartolone and his wife Brea, who works for the district, have raised three children here and have or are currently attending Wallkill schools. Here in the district, Bartolone serves on the Buildings and Grounds committee with his construction background. Bartolone hopes to maintain and strengthen the relationship between Ulster BOCES and the district with an emphasis and opportunity for trades. Bartolone also serves on the Health and Safety committee and Curriculum and serves as the chair of the Technology committee.

If re-elected, Bartolone hopes and looks forward to working again towards safer spaces for students and staff and working to enhance the special education program within the district. Bartolone also feels confident in serving the district for more years to come with the district and voters’ support.

“As a current School Board member, I made it my mission to ensure that I represent the students, parents and educators with the utmost integrity. I look forward to continuing to serve the community as a School Board Member to ensure that we create a healthy and safe environment for our students and staff,” said Bartolone. “I will continue to work tirelessly with staff to build strong learning programs that meet the needs of all our students. I look forward to continuing to work with members of the Special Education committee to ensure that we are meeting the needs of students in this program by providing the most innovative technology and up-to-date core programs to these students. I would appreciate it if the residents of the WCSD would allow me the opportunity to continue to bring new ideas and vision to the Wallkill Central School District.”

Kathryn Anderson
Incumbent Kathryn Anderson will seek her eighth term for the Wallkill board this coming spring. This year will conclude her 21st year as member. “It’s a very exciting time in our district, and we have awesome administrators, we have awesome teachers, we have awesome staff, students and parents,” said Anderson. “I’m so proud to be a part of all of the exciting things that are going on in the district.”

Originally from Minnesota, Anderson came to the Wallkill area in 1995. Prior to having children, Anderson was at one point an educator but once her children were born she became a stay at home mom. Now, Anderson’s three children have since graduated from Wallkill schools and have gone on to pursue their individual interests and careers.

Anderson’s tenure on the board has seen a string instrument program added to the school, and the improvements to the athletic fields have also been a highlight of her time while there.

Anderson also serves on the district’s curriculum committee, which was a challenge over the past several years with the COVID pandemic. Many students struggled maintaining their interest in school, but with online instruction, Anderson was happy to highlight the response of the district with getting students online devices during that time. Now back in school, students are returning to see friends, and more resources for student health and safety have continued to be added to the school budget. With the positive direction in which the district is moving, Anderson once again seeks the community’s support and hopes to continue to be a part of the many things to come in the future for the district.

“I believe the education of all our children is one of the most important responsibilities we have as a community, for they are our future. I believe one objective of our educational system should be to promote learning as a lifelong activity,” said Anderson. “Our district strives to be a supportive community where that responsibility is shared by all stakeholders, students, parents, staff and administration. I look forward to the opportunity to continue serving you [the district] in this capacity.”

Erin McCartney
Newest board member Erin McCartney will seek another term on the Wallkill Board of Education this coming election season. McCartney joined the board this past school year with the resignation of Ursula Petricek, who had run prior. Her time on the board currently has been the first real experience in running for the position.

“It’s been really a great experience so far, I like being able to give input and be part of the subcommittees and help develop more opportunities for the kids as well as keep them safe with more security protection and health measures as well,” said McCartney. “I feel I’m very approachable and innovative so I would like to have really some great feedback from the community and what matters to them the most and what concerns them, so that I can bring that to the board. I really would like to inspire and help really make Wallkill the best it can be.”

A 30 year member of the Wallkill community and a Wallkill graduate of the Class of 1995, McCartney and her husband have raised two sons with one anticipating graduation in May and one already off at college. McCartney later went on to attend Mount Saint Mary College and received her bachelors in business administration and now currently work as a district manager at an Allstate Insurance company.

Within the board, McCartney serves on the Wellness Committee and the Health and Safety Committee. Also within the district, McCartney was the treasurer of the Wallkill Youth Lacrosse board, a volunteer for the Autism community, co-chair for the Senior Celebration which is a drug/alcohol free graduation party, and team mom and head fundraiser for the Varsity Lacrosse Team.

If re-elected, McCartney shared that she was excited to have more social workers come into the district following the last several years of the pandemic to be there for the students to support student mental and emotional health. The Capital Improvement Project also for the district has also been a highlight for the district that McCartney looks forward to being a part of.

“I would be a part of continuing the positive school experiences that both my children and I have known. If elected, I will work hard to continue to improve health and safety opportunities, expand inclusivity and be an approachable sounding board for the community,” said McCarntney. “I have a passion for teamwork and collaboration. I would be honored to be elected as your school board representative and bring my talents and experience to the board and community.”