Penfield board candidates stress teacher support, mental‑health services and transparency ahead of May 19 vote

A candidate forum for two open seats on the Penfield Central School District Board of Education brought four contenders before voters to outline priorities including teacher retention, student mental‑health services, equity in classroom materials and clearer budget communication.

Moderator Amy Thomas, executive director of the Monroe County School Boards Association, opened the forum and noted questions came from the Penfield PTA. She reminded viewers that the district budget vote and the schoolboard election will be held Tuesday, May 19, from 6:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. at the Penfield High School West Gym, 25 High School Drive.

Dr. Aaliyah Elamine Turner, current president of the Penfield board, highlighted governance, communication and equity. Turner, a clinical assistant professor and licensed mental‑health counselor, said the board must keep students central while following state rules for curriculum and course offerings. She also defended access to library materials, saying, "It's important that any child should be able to walk into any library and be able to get out any resources that they can see themselves in." Turner described ongoing partnerships with outside providers to deliver school‑based mental‑health supports.

Stacy Lonardo, a 38‑year classroom teacher, focused on supporting educators and the district’s enrichment and intervention programs. Lonardo said Penfield’s MTSS process and enrichment specialists help both students who struggle and those who need acceleration and called for continued funding for those positions. "We also need to make Penfield a place where all educators want to come," she said, urging competitive salaries, benefits and visible board support.

Susan Kavanaaugh, who said she is endorsed by the Penfield Education Association and the Association of Penfield Teaching Assistants, said the board should prioritize spending that directly advances student outcomes, increase clarity about how budget dollars are used and protect time for teachers to teach. "Every dollar that we spend should align with student outcomes," she said, urging more transparent budget review and stronger community engagement on fiscal decisions.

Incumbent Christa K., who has served on the board for four years, defended the district’s current financial stewardship and noted the role of administrative staff in budget planning. On reserves and fiscal health she said, "I do not see this district having to go into any reductions anytime soon. We are safe. We are doing well. We have a really good nest egg." She also emphasized the board’s role in governance and the need to support teachers through the negotiation process.

Candidates uniformly said academics and social‑emotional learning should reinforce, not compete with, one another. On student mental health they advocated increasing access to counseling, partnering with outside mental‑health providers, adding support personnel and using targeted interventions for students in crisis. Turner cited her experience working as a school‑based counselor and said in‑school access to services can reduce attendance and behavior problems.

On inclusion and representation, candidates described school clubs, celebrations and library acquisitions as concrete steps to help students from diverse backgrounds feel seen. Turner recalled a disputed book that prompted debate in the district and said such controversies underscore the importance of ensuring students can find materials "that they can see themselves in." None of the candidates proposed changes to district policy during the forum; the discussion centered on priorities and approaches.

The forum also covered board dynamics. Candidates repeatedly said board oversight is a collective responsibility — the board sets vision and policy while the superintendent manages day‑to‑day operations — and advocated open communication with families and community groups, such as PTA and PTO units, to rebuild trust.

The forum concluded with closing statements and a reminder to vote on May 19. Members of the public can attend the budget vote and election at Penfield High School West Gym, 25 High School Drive, or consult the district’s official communications for polling details and candidate information.