Amy Kennedy is seeking her first term on the board. She has been a resident of the district for 7 years. She is a graduate of West Babylon Sr High School and Suffolk Community College in NYC. Her son, Tiernan, started at C-RCSD in 2nd grade, and now attends Golding Middle School. Upon moving to the district from NYC in 2018, she immediately began volunteering for CREST and Friends of Music. She began substituting for the district in 2020. She works part-time at The Studio for Art and Craft in Cobleskill. In her free time, she’s a Sunday School teacher at United Methodist Church, and helps coordinate the youth group there. “I feel that running for the school board is a natural progression. I am devoted to improving the student’s experience in our schools. I am hoping to improve some of our school policies. My ultimate goal would be to bring joy into every classroom and foster a love of learning.”
Maxwell Horning is seeking his first term on the board. A life-long resident and former teacher of CRCSD, he currently teaches music to grades 4-12 at Sharon Springs CSD. He is a graduate of C-R High School and holds Bachelor and Master of Music degrees in Music Education from The Crane School of Music at SUNY Potsdam and the Ithaca College School of Music, respectively. Horning is involved in Schoharie County Music Educators Association where he plans, hosts, and frequently accompanies All-County festivals. He also performs weekly for two local churches, participates in Schoharie Valley Concert Band, and volunteers for the Joshua Project’s Summer Lunch Program. “I believe students deserve meaningful opportunities, teachers deserve respect and support, and the community deserves to be heard and genuinely listened to. This district shaped who I am. Now I’m ready to help shape its future.”
Jason Gagnon is seeking his second term on the board. He has been a resident of the district for about 15 years. Gagnon is a graduate of Patch American High School in Stuttgart, Germany, and SUNY New Paltz, from which he holds a BA in Philosophy. He currently works for Conduent, a business outsourcing company, where he is a specialist in social services. He and his wife, Laura, the librarian at Golding Middle School, have three children: Eleanor (Golding); Julian (Radez); and Basil (Ryder). He has assisted her with many programs such as Battle of the Books, The Spelling Bee, and PARP. “I’m deeply invested in the success of our schools—both as a parent and as a member of this community. I bring a perspective that reflects the day-to-day experience of families and educators. I also believe in open, honest conversation. I’m committed to doing what I believe is right for our students, our teachers, and our community and I’d be honored to continue that work in a second term."
Sarah Nies is seeking her first term on the board. She and her husband, Jeff, have one child, Francesca (Golding). She’s lived in the district for 11 years and currently works as Director to the Office of Community Services for Schoharie County. She holds a Bachelor’s from St. Bonaventure University, where she studied History, Philosophy and Theology. She then earned her Master’s in Franciscan Studies and an MSED in Clinical Mental Health. Nies has been a Citizen’s Budget Committee member. She previously served as Secretary and Chair of the Country Classroom School Board for 6 years. “I believe in giving back to the community. Every young person equally deserves a high-quality education. I believe that school board members should be bi-partisan because they must work for what is in the best interest of students. Schools are the heart of our community and the places where students learn to become citizens.”
Voting for board of education candidates, propositions, and the district's 2025-2026 school budget will be held on Tuesday, May 20, 2025.