• Here are the eight candidates for three Board of Education seats in the Enlarged City School District of Middletown. They are listed in the order they appear on the ballot. Each seat carries a three-year term that begins July 1.

    Paula Blumenau
    Name:     Paula Blumenau
    Occupation: Program Coordinator for Outreach Jewish Family Services of Orange County
    Length of time in the Middletown community: 25 years
    Top three issues of her candidacy
    1. Maintain consistency in our school district
    2. Continue to represent students and taxpayers in the Town of Wallkill
    3. Stay well-informed on trends and best practices throughout New York State

    Valerie White
    Name:     Valerie White
    Educational background: Bachelor's degree in Theology, three years college - Psychology major
    Occupation: Community Habitation Worker
    Length of time in the Middletown community: 7 years
    Top three issues of her candidacy
    1. Academic excellence
    2. Equitable respect and treatment for all members of the school community with increased support for teachers and administrators
    3. Increased encouragement for positive community dialogue and input with timely response to complaints.

    Mitchell Williams
    Name:     Mitchell Williams
    Educational background: High school diploma, CASAC
    Occupation: Subtance Abuse Counselor
    Length of time in the Middletown community: 19 years
    Top three issues of his candidacy
    1. Collaboration between the school and the community
    2. Student empowerment
    3. Increased graduation rate

    Juana Roberts-Currie
    Name:     Juana Roberts-Currie
    Educational background: Bachelor's degree, Lehman College, Master's in Second Language Education, New Paltz
    Occupation: Retired (Newburgh school district)
    Length of time in the Middleton community: 19 years
    Top three issues of her candidacy
    1. Use my extensive knowledge of bi-lingual education as a B.O.E. member
    2. Explore career options for those students who are not college-bound
    3. Use my experience as a member of the Board of Directors of RECAP to address the special needs of minority students

    John Perrino
    Name:     John Perrino
    Educational background: Bachelor's degree, Master's degree, C.A.S (Administration, Supervision), seven certificates
    Occupation: Retired Teacher, Coordinator, Administrator (36 years total experience), as well as a business background
    Length of time in the Middletown community: Lifelong native
    Top three issues of his candidacy
    1. A safe and secure environment for staff and students
    2. A curriculum which reflects both the diversity of the district, and prepares students for college and careers
    3. A budget which protects the interests of the students, staff and taxpayers, and seeks alternate funding to offset local contributions.

    Felicia Ibezim
    Name:     Dr. Felicia Ibezim
    Educational background: PH.D, Educational Psychology, Capella Universty; Master's degree, Educational Psychology, New York University; Master's degree, Guidance & Counseling, University of Nigeria; Bachelor's degree, English Language, University of Benin; Certificate in Contract Law, Harvard University
    Occupation: Retired Board of Education Counselor/Psychologist, currently adjunct College Professor
    Length of time in the Middletown community: 7 years
    Top three issues of her candidacy
    1. To create a shared vision and mission of academic excellence by tapping into students' hidden potentials
    2. Help promote a learning environment that ensures the safety, morals, health and welfare of the students and school community
    3. Working with others toward making informed decisions that will benefit not only the students and staff of the school district, but also ensure Middletown City School District's successful race to the top.

    Anthony Heyward
    Name:     Anthony Heyward
    Educational background: Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Master's degree in Accounting
    Occupation: Retired, and self-employed as a Financial Consultant
    Length of time in the Middletown community: 9 years
    Top three issues of his candidacy
    1. Lack of remote training. District student progress (Reading and Math test scores)
    2. District finances - Revenue, expenses, budget
    3. Diversity of teachers and staff. ESL courses

    Amanda Barone
    Name:     Amanda Barone
    Educational background: Bachelor's degree, College of Staten Island, majoring in History/Political Science and minoring in Economics
    Occupation: Full-time Essential Worker, currently helping patients receive their COVID-19 vaccinations
    Length of time in the Middletown community: 11 years
    Top three issues of her candidacy
    1. Promote mental and physical health of every child to ensure their well being
    2. Ensure the safety of each child through logical means
    3. Protect each child's mental and physical well being to ready them for a solid future