Board Structure & Election Information
The Clarkstown Central School District Board of Education is a seven-member Board elected by district residents. Each member of the Board serves for three years. The terms of office of Board members shall not all expire in the same year. Board members are responsible for school district management and policy-making.
For the 2026–27 academic year, 2 of the seats on the CCSD Board of Education are up for election:
In order for our community to get an idea of what each candidate stands for, what they hope to bring to the board and to get a feel for who they are, so that community members are able to make an informed decision when voting for your next Board of Education team, the Clarkstown Council of PTAs, in addition to hosting the Candidates Forum, sends a questionnaire to all candidates. Those answers are posted below.
2026 Candidate Forum & Informational Video
Brooke Stone
Brooke Stone is a parent of three children in the district and a dedicated community advocate. She has been an active PTA volunteer, contributing her time to the West Nyack PTA, the 5th Grade Committee, and the School Store Committee. Additionally, she serves as a Brownie Girl Scout leader. Professionally, Brooke is an accomplished actor, bringing a unique perspective on communication and collaboration to her advocacy work.
Her priorities include championing teachers and staff by ensuring they have the resources, optimal working conditions, and well-being support they need. Brooke is a strong advocate for arts education and has expressed deep concern regarding recent reductions, such as the loss of the West Nyack art room. She also prioritizes student mental health and academic success through strong support for social-emotional learning programs like RULER.
Known for her strong moral compass and collaborative spirit, Brooke is a natural bridge-builder who seeks to find common ground. She is fiscally responsible and focused on identifying cost-effective solutions to district challenges while maintaining high standards for all students.
Candidate Q&A
Do you have children in the district?
Yes.
What experience do you have in the PTA?
West Nyack PTA, 5th grade committee, school store committee, and Brownie Girl Scout leader for Troop #40119.
If elected, what will your areas of interest/focus be over the next few years? What do you wish to accomplish in that time?
I would love to be a champion for the teachers and staff. Nothing happens without them and they know best. I want them to be living as comfortable a life as possible and I’d like them to have all the resources they need to do their jobs in an effective way. I’m also a huge supporter of the arts. I’d like them to be more than just an “add on” experience. I know that West Nyack Elementary lost their art room this year and now they have an art “cart.” That made me really sad. I’m super impressed with the RULER Program and have been very impressed by the focus on mental health in our district. I’d support that any way I can.
Why should people support your candidacy?
I consider myself a good person who works hard and loves our community. I have three children in the district, so I have a lot of “skin in the game,” as they say. Watching my kids and their friends grow has been so amazing. I truly want what’s best for them. I come from a family of educators and have always held a deep respect for teachers. What would we be without them?
What are your hobbies?
I play the upright bass in various orchestras, rollerblade, write, sing, and make arts and crafts. My job is basically a bunch of hobbies that pay me very little!
What are a couple of things people would be surprised to know about you?
I collect people’s diaries! I’m a big thrifter and have dabbled in extreme couponing. I have a non-working sauna in my basement that was filled with diapers at one point. I used them all on my kiddos and taught my friends with kids how to get that particular deal. A very proud moment for me!
What are some personality traits that would make you a great board member?
I have a big heart—some may say a “bleeding” heart. My moral compass is very strong and I’m a hard worker and advocate for what’s important. You’re not going to find me in any arguments with anyone because I’m a peacekeeper. I’m also incredibly fiscally responsible and can always find a great deal. Show me that concrete proposal and I’ll find a better one!
Raymond Francis
Raymond Francis serves as a Code Enforcement Officer for the Town of Clarkstown and is a longtime member of the school community through his extensive PTA involvement. A lifetime PTA member, he has organized school events such as evening programs and welcome-back BBQs, and has represented Laurel Plains Elementary on the District Council. Although he does not currently have children in the district, his past engagement reflects a continued commitment to supporting local schools.
Francis identifies several key challenges facing the district, including the need for additional classroom space to support expanded UPK programs, potential loss of tax revenue from the Palisades Mall, and the financial and infrastructure implications of transitioning to state-mandated electric buses.
If elected, his priorities include strengthening academic programs, bringing special education services back in-house to enhance programming and potentially generate revenue, and expanding access to career and technical education opportunities through BOCES. He emphasizes a student-centered approach and a commitment to making decisions grounded in strong principles.
Francis describes himself as someone who works well with others and brings a practical understanding of facilities and labor relations, informed by his experience as a CSEA president. Outside of his professional and volunteer roles, he enjoys sports, music, and community service. He also shares that he was born and raised in Egypt, speaks Egyptian Arabic, and has been married for nearly 38 years.
Candidate Q&A
Name and occupation:
Name: Raymond Francis. Occupation: Code Enforcement Officer for the Town of Clarkstown.
Children in the district:
No children in the school district.
PTA/committee experience:
I’m a PTA lifetime member. I handled all evening events and welcome-back BBQs and also represented Laurel Plains Elementary on District Council.
Challenges facing the district:
More classroom space for additional UPK programs, potential loss of tax revenue from the Palisades Mall, and the financial and infrastructure implications of transitioning to state-mandated electric buses.
Areas of focus if elected:
Improving academic programs, bringing special education services back in-house to enhance programming and potentially generate revenue, and expanding access to career and technical education opportunities through BOCES.
Why people should support his candidacy:
Students will always be my number one priority. I live my life with good principles and I’m able to work with everyone.
Hobbies:
Sports, music, and volunteering where needed.
Surprising facts:
I was born and raised in Egypt, speak Egyptian Arabic, and have been with my wife for almost 38 years.
Personality traits:
Ability to work with anyone, can help with facilities concerns, and as a CSEA president I understand both sides of labor contract negotiations.
Michelle Bondar
Michelle Bondar is a speech-language pathologist with 15 years of experience in school-based settings and holds advanced degrees in Educational Leadership at both the school and district levels. She is also a parent of two children in the district, giving her both professional and personal insight into the education system.
Bondar has demonstrated leadership beyond her immediate role by founding and chairing the Bronx D75 AAC Committee within New York City Public Schools, where she supports colleagues in implementing best practices for assistive technology and student support.
She identifies key challenges facing the district as balancing financial pressures—including rising costs, shifting enrollment, and reduced local revenue—while maintaining high-quality programming and supporting staff recruitment and retention. If elected, her focus would include ensuring consistency and equity across schools, strengthening communication with families, expanding professional development for educators, and improving oversight and delivery of special education services.
Bondar emphasizes her deep commitment to education, highlighting her experience working directly with students, families, and educators to support inclusive practices and student success. She aims to use her expertise to inform decision-making around policy, budgeting, and curriculum, while advocating for both students and taxpayers.
She describes herself as a collaborative, forward-thinking leader and strong communicator who values listening and partnership. Outside of her professional work, she enjoys cooking, traveling, exercising, and spending time with her children.
Candidate Q&A
Name and family:
Lives in the district and has children in the district.
Current occupation:
Speech-Language Pathologist. I have been a school-based speech-language pathologist for 15 years. I also earned my Educational Leadership degree at both the school and district levels.
PTA/committee experience:
I founded and chair the Bronx D75 AAC Committee (in the New York City Public Schools), which is a multidisciplinary team of related service providers that supports colleagues districtwide with using best practices around implementing assistive technology.
Challenges facing the district:
Our district faces the dual challenge of managing complex financial resources—balancing rising costs, shifting student enrollment, and the impact of reduced local revenue—while maintaining high-quality educational programming and supporting crucial staff recruitment and retention.
Areas of focus if elected:
Ensure programmatic consistency and excellence across all schools, strengthen clear and two-way communication with families and community stakeholders, expand impactful professional development for educators, and improve the transparent oversight and delivery of special education and related services.
Why people should support her candidacy:
I am running for the Board of Education because I am deeply committed to the future of our school community and the success of every student. My professional background as a speech-language pathologist and my leadership in special education have given me a unique perspective on the critical intersection of policy, budgeting, and direct student impact. I understand the importance of collaboration, forward-thinking leadership, and practical advocacy for both students and taxpayers. As a proud parent of two children in the district, my dedication is personal as well as professional. I aim to use my expertise to champion excellence, consistency, and inclusion, ensuring that our district continues to thrive as a place where all children can excel and all voices are heard.
Hobbies:
Cooking, traveling to new places, exercising, and post-dinner dance challenges with my kids.
Surprising facts:
I speak multiple languages; I studied in Italy in college; I am scared of everything, including ‘kiddie’ rides in an amusement park, yet I desperately want to overcome my fears and be the cool, adventurous mom.
Personality traits:
I am a passionate advocate, a collaborator, a forward-thinker, a strong communicator, and a good listener.
Eamon Rankin
Eamon Rankin is a lifelong Clarkstown resident and graduate of the Clarkstown School District who currently works for the Town of Clarkstown Highway Department. While he does not have children in the district or a background in education or PTA involvement, he brings a strong connection to the community through his volunteer service, including roles with Keep Rockland Beautiful and the West Nyack Fire Department.
Rankin identifies key challenges facing the district as the recruitment and retention of high-quality educators, as well as the need to expand career and technical education opportunities. If elected, he plans to focus on broadening course offerings—particularly in the arts—and developing a long-term, districtwide capital improvement plan to address facility needs over the next 15–20 years.
He emphasizes his deep roots in the community and commitment to public service as reasons to support his candidacy. Rankin describes himself as a strong listener, effective communicator, and dedicated problem solver who is responsive and hardworking.
Outside of his professional and volunteer roles, he enjoys hiking, cooking, and traveling. He also notes that he previously worked in corporate logistics before transitioning into his current role, reflecting a diverse professional background.
Candidate Q&A
Name and family:
Does not have children in the district and does not have PTA or education experience.
Current occupation:
Town of Clarkstown Highway Department.
Challenges facing the district:
In my opinion one of the major challenges facing the district today is the recruitment and retention of high-quality educators as well as expanding career and technical education opportunities.
Areas of focus if elected:
One of my major focuses is going to be expanding course offerings, particularly in the arts. Additionally I plan on developing a long term, districtwide capital improvement plan to address facility needs over the next 15-20 years.
Why people should support his candidacy:
I am a lifelong resident of Clarkstown and a graduate of the Clarkstown School District that is deeply rooted in the community through volunteer work such as being a board member for Keep Rockland Beautiful and the West Nyack Fire Department.
Hobbies:
Hiking, cooking, traveling.
Surprising facts:
Many people would be surprised to know that I formerly worked in corporate America in logistics before making a career move into the blue-collar workforce.
Personality traits:
I am a good listener, responsive, a good communicator, a problem solver, and a hard worker.