Beth Darmond outlines education priorities at Eldred PTA forum ahead of May 20 vote

Beth Darmond, who said she is running for a seat on the Eldred Central School District board, outlined her professional background and priorities at a PTA-hosted candidate appearance attended virtually and in person.

Darmond, joining the meeting from Florida, said she and her husband moved to the district in 2002 and have raised two children there — one a graduate and the other a current junior. “I am very humbled and honored to be running for school board for [the] Eldred Central School District,” she said.

Darmond described 24 years of work at the Center for Discovery, where she is the director of music therapy and leads the internship program, and noted she serves as an adjunct professor at SUNY New Paltz. She listed leadership roles in the Mid-Atlantic Region of the American Music Therapy Association and current service as a regional delegate to the National Assembly of Delegates. “I strongly believe that community involvement is essential to the best of our schools,” she said, adding that she serves on district committees and attends board meetings to stay informed.

During a short question-and-answer period, a participant identified as Lisa asked what qualities Darmond would bring to the board if elected. Darmond said she would bring compassion and training as a therapist to help listen to differing viewpoints, and cited her experience with school programs and special education at the Center for Discovery as relevant preparation. “My hope is that all of that will come together so that way, I will effectively be able to serve first the students and staff of the district and then the taxpayers as well,” she said.

Harmony Grady, identified at the meeting as the PTA president at GRM, introduced Darmond and closed the forum by reminding attendees that the school board vote is scheduled for May 20 at the Eldred Junior-Senior High School. Darmond thanked the hosts and organizers for the opportunity to speak virtually and signed off.

The appearance was brief and focused on Darmond’s background and approach to board service; she did not present specific policy proposals or agenda items at the forum. Voters in the Eldred Central School District will decide on May 20 at the Junior-Senior High School polling arrangement noted at the meeting.