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Six candidates outline priorities on transparency, trust and the budget at Penfield forum
Summary
At a meet-the-candidates night, six people running for three seats on the Penfield school board emphasized transparency, rebuilding trust, fiscal responsibility and community engagement ahead of the May 20 vote.
Six candidates running for three open seats on the Penfield Central School District Board of Education presented opening statements and answered community-submitted questions at a public forum moderated by Amy Thomas of the Monroe County School Boards Association.
Lynn Scott, the district clerk, opened the event and announced the ballot order and logistics. The candidates—Dr. Sarah Pace, Dr. Emily Roberts (incumbent), James Ashby, Nate Chienenko, Dr. Scott Wilson and Susan Gilbert Collins—each gave two-minute opening statements and later answered questions on topics that included academic standards, security, pandemic recovery, teacher support and budget priorities.
Common themes emerged: several candidates called for greater transparency and improved communication between the district and families. "Parents and community members deserve to know how decisions are made, where our money is going, and what really is happening in our schools," said Dr. Sarah Pace. James Ashby and other candidates framed trust as a core issue: "I think it's trust...there's a lack of trust between the community and our leadership," Ashby said.
Budget and fiscal responsibility were frequent touchpoints. Nate Chienenko said he would first seek to understand district finances before proposing changes: "I don't know what I'm gonna do about the budget because I need to understand the budget first." Several candidates called for investing in teachers and classroom supports.
Moderator Amy Thomas explained the forum rules and said community members submitted the questions through the district advisory board. The event concluded with candidates giving closing statements and a reminder that the budget vote and school board election will be held Tuesday, May 20 from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. at the Penfield High School West Gym.
