Election for a Seat on the School Board
History of the Board & Running for a Board Seat
History of the Board of Education
Back in the early 1800’s the first schoolhouse in Orchard Park was built near the corner of East Quaker and North Freeman Roads. As the community grew, there were many schools in and around Orchard Park and these community schools were directed by a Board of Elders. In 1944 the District was centralized and since then over 115 citizens have volunteered and served as trustees of the District providing support and oversight for public education in the Orchard Park community.
Important Information for OPCSD Board of Education Candidates - Petitions available on March 3, 2025
All candidates seeking membership to the Board of Education shall be nominated by petition. A candidate for election to the Board of Education must complete a nominating petition (of no less than 25 signatures) to confirm that they meet all applicable eligibility requirements. A nominating petition can be acquired by contacting Mrs. Connors, District Clerk at 716-209-6280 beginning on March 3, 2025. Completed nominating petitions must be filed in the office of the District Clerk no later than 5:00 p.m. on April 21, 2025.
Other Information on Running for the School Board
The Orchard Park Central School District Board of Education is composed of seven members. Each Board member is elected to serve a three-year term. The three-year terms of Trustees, Mr. Ryan Anderson and Mr. Tom Provost, will expire on June 30, 2025.
Voters will elect two members to serve on the Orchard Park School Board for terms beginning on July 1, 2025 to June 30, 2028. Completed Nominating Petitions, with at least 25 valid signatures, for the Board of Education are due in the office of the District Clerk no later than 5 p.m. Monday, April 21, 2025. The annual vote/election will be held on Tuesday, May 20, 2025.
For more information on seeking a seat on the School Board, please review the links below from the New York State School Boards Association and the Erie County Association of School Boards.
To qualify as a candidate, an individual:
- Must be a citizen of the United States (Sections 2102, 2012, 2553, and 2603 Education Law);
- Must be at least 18 years of age (Sections 2102, 2012, and 2603 of Education Law);
- Must be able to read and write (Section 2101 Education Law);
- Must be a resident of the school district for at least one (1) year prior to the election (Section 2101 Education Law); and
- Cannot be an employee of the Board of Education to which membership is sought (Section 2103 Education Law).
Expenditure Reports - Required by Article 32; Sections 1528; 1529.1a; 1529.1b; 1529.2; 1529.3; 1530 and 1531 of Education Law, it is necessary to file THREE Expenditure Reports. This requirement is NYSED Law and all three reports must be filed with the district clerk. Link to District Policy regarding expenditure reports.
- April 21 - The first report must be filed on or before the thirtieth day preceding the election. It must cover expenditures made and contributions received up to and including the thirty-first day preceding the election.
- May 15 - The second report must be filed on or before the fifth day preceding the election. It must cover expenditures made and contributions received up to and including the sixth day preceding the election.
- June 9 - Within twenty days succeeding the election. It must cover expenditures made and contributions received up to and including the day preceding the filing of the report.
If the report reflects any contribution or loan in excess of one thousand dollars ($1,000) if received after the close of the period to be covered in the last statement filed before the election but before such election, shall be reported, in the same manner as other contributions, within twenty-four hours after receipt. A copy must be filed with the District Clerk and Commissioner of Education. If the expenditure is less than $500, the Expenditure Report need only be filed with the District Clerk.
Erie County School Boards Association (ECASB) will hold a Prospective School Board Member program on Saturday, March 22, 2025 from 8 am until 10:30 am at Erie 1 BOCES, 355 Harlem Road, West Seneca, The program is free and a flyer is attached below.
For more information on seeking a seat on the School Board, please review the link below from the New York State School Boards Association (NYSSBA).
NYSSBA - Running for the School Board