Eastchester board elects officers, appoints district officials and approves consent items

The Eastchester Union Free School District Board of Education on an initial organizational vote on Aug. 1 elected Matt Fanelli president of the board, Christie McCloskey vice president and Jill Constantino secretary and approved routine administrative appointments and a consent agenda through Item 17.

The board administered oaths and introduced Elias Alexander, a rising 11th grader elected as the board's ex officio student member. Superintendent Dr. Villanueva, attending her first board meeting, welcomed Alexander and gave brief remarks on her first week in the district.

Why it matters: Reorganization votes set the board leadership and officers who will preside over meetings and represent the district for the coming year. The appointments also install administrators responsible for clerical, financial and audit duties that affect district operations.

The board nominated Fanelli for president; a second was given and the board voted “all in favor.” Fanelli presided briefly and led the transition to the next order of business. Christie McCloskey was nominated and approved as vice president and Jill Constantino as secretary; those votes were recorded as majority approvals without a roll-call tally in the transcript.

The board approved administrative appointments under a resolution that read, in part, that the district clerk is Lori Perrotta; district treasurer is Shonda Merrill; deputy treasurer is Linda Carlin; and claims auditor is Anna Provenzano at an hourly rate of $90. That appointments resolution was presented, seconded and approved.

The board approved a consent agenda covering annual board action items, minutes, the personnel agenda, committee on preschool special education recommendations, special education recommendations, curriculum and instruction approvals, and business office recommendations (items 11–17). Item 18 (other business items) was held for discussion; two items under that heading (18.1 and 18.2) were later approved separately.

Votes at a glance - Election of board officers (president: Matt Fanelli; vice president: Christie McCloskey; secretary: Jill Constantino): approved by voice vote (“all in favor”). - Appointment of district officers (district clerk Lori Perrotta; district treasurer Shonda Merrill; deputy treasurer Linda Carlin; claims auditor Anna Provenzano at $90/hour): approved. - Consent agenda items 11–17 (annual board action items; minutes; personnel; special education; curriculum; business office recommendations): approved. - Other business — 18.1 appointment of representative to Swiss CHIP board of governors: approved. - Other business — 18.2 approval of the districtwide safety and emergency management plan for 2025–26: approved.

During the meeting the board set future dates: an Aug. 6 work session/annual retreat and the first regular meeting of the school year on Sept. 9. The public-comment period was opened following the business items; the meeting adjourned after the scheduled public-comment block.