Board Members
The Board of Education is made up of seven unsalaried citizens elected to serve a three-year term. The board’s powers and duties are derived from the New York State Constitution, the laws of New York State and the rulings of the New York State Commissioner of Education. The Board of Education’s main areas of responsibility are:
- Establish district policies.
- Develop an annual budget for public approval.
- Vote on the Superintendent’s recommendations on personnel matters and contracts.
- Review courses of study and textbooks.
- Act as a communication link between residents and the Superintendent.
No person or group of persons acts in the name of the board. All motions require a majority vote before the Board can act. A board member is in an official capacity only during an official Board meeting. The Board employs a Superintendent who is responsible for the day-to-day operation of the district and administration of Board policies. The Superintendent develops policies, programs and plans for Board action.
Board Members
Andrea Gallo
Andrea Gallo, of Ballston Lake, is currently a Therapeutic Area Specialist with Bristol Myers Squibb Biopharmaceutical Company. She holds a bachelor’s degree in social work from Pennsylvania State University, and a master’s degree in clinical social work from Syracuse University. She and her spouse have two children currently attending Shenendehowa. Term exp. 6/30/28.
Naomi Hoffman
Naomi Hoffman, of Clifton Park, is serving her third term on the Board of Education. She retired as manager of compliance and audit for Kitware, a local R&D software technology company. She has a bachelor’s degree from SUNY Albany in accounting and a Masters of Business Administration (MBA) from SUNY Albany. She and her spouse have two children, both graduates of Shenendehowa. Term exp. 6/30/26.
Petra Holden
Petra Holden, of Ballston Lake, is serving her second term on the Board of Education. She is a stay-at-home mom and was formerly an attorney. She holds a bachelor’s degree in English literature from Harvard University and a Juris Doctor (J.D.) from the University of Virginia School of Law. She and her spouse have three children who attend Shenendehowa. Term exp. 6/30/28.
Mary Colleen Liburdi - Vice President
Mary Colleen Liburdi, of Rexford, is serving her first term on the Board of Education. She is currently a Technical Product Manager at Cengage Learning. She holds a BA in Fine Art and Communications from Wells College and an MA in Fine Art from the University at Albany. She and her husband, Scott, are proud parents of a child who is a current student at Shen. Term exp. 6/30/27
Deanna Stephenson - President
Deanna Stephenson, of Halfmoon, is serving her fourth term. She is employed at Fidelis Care as Director of Provider Relations. She holds a bachelor’s degree in biology and forensic science from SUNY Oswego and is in the process of earning a master’s degree in health care administration from Union College. She and her spouse have two children, one who currently attends and one who has graduated from Shenendehowa. Term exp. 6/30/28.
Carla Thompson
thomcarl@shenschools.org
Carla Thompson, of Clifton Park, is serving her first term on the Board of Education. She is a retired teacher of thirty-three years at Lake Shore Central Schools and a retired Board Member of Lake Shore Central schools as well. She holds a BA degree in Teaching and an MA degree in Linguistics – teaching English as a New Language, both from SUNY Fredonia. She and her husband, Douglas, are proud parents of two grown children. Term exp. 6/30/27
Looking to run for a seat on the Board of Education?
Interested in running for the board?
What all prospective school board members should know.
- Nominee for Board of Education member must be a citizen of the United States.
- Nominee for Board of Education member must be 18 years of age or older.
- Nominee for Board of Education member must have been a resident in the Shenendehowa Central School District for a period of one year preceding the date of the Annual Meeting.
- Signers of the petition must be qualified voters of the Shenendehowa Central School District.
School District employees are unable to provide information or advice about campaigning for a seat on the Board of Education.
Candidates may not place signs on District property; on the day of the election no sign may be placed within 100 feet of
the entrance to any building in which voting is taking place.
Judicial Decisions of the Commissioner of Education, which can be found at http://www.counsel.nysed.gov/Decisions/, may provide additional information concerning school election campaigns.
Nominees must follow requirements of Commissioner of Education for reporting expenses.
More Information
Board of Education Meetings – Schedule, Agenda, Minutes and Video
Board Policy Manual – Policies and Regulations
NYS Committee on Open Government
The Board of Education/administration has an electronic mailbox to receive comments, ideas and suggestions at boe@shenschools.org
All questions come into the Public Information Office. Policy questions/concerns are typically answered by the board president. Operational questions/concerns are typically sent to and answered by the administrator in charge.
BOE YouTube Channel
