North Salem readies for budget vote and Board of Education election

NORTH SALEM, N.Y. - On Tuesday, May 20, voters in the North Salem Central School District will head to the polls, tasked with approving the 2025-26 budget and filling three seats on the Board of Education.

The proposed 2025-26 school budget of $52,377,964 represents a 3.64 percent increase over the current spending plan of $50,536,389. If the budget passes, the tax levy will rise by $1,257,464 or 2.9 percent to $44,598,468 in FY 2025-2026.

Voters will also cast their ballots on a proposition to fund a $24.5 million districtwide capital project, which encompasses infrastructure improvements and enhancements for health and safety at the Middle School/High School, Pequenakonck Elementary, and the district's bus garage. Proposed renovations include upgrades to the libraries in both buildings, a new entrance at the Middle School/High School, roof repairs, electrical upgrades, and repairs to the parking lots at both schools.

Seeking reelection to the Board of Education are trustees Deborah D'Agostino, Frances Havard, and Brandy Keenan.

Although the race is uncontested, North Salem News offered the candidates an opportunity to address voters and explain, in their own words, their qualifications and what they see as the most pressing issues facing the district.

Deborah D'Agostino

Please list your career and educational accomplishments.

Although I am “semi-retired,” I continue to serve as President of P4H, Inc., a company which specializes in facilities planning for government, health and science.

I received a Bachelor of Science from Fordham University and a Master’s in Public Health from Columbia University.  Professionally, I am a Fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives and certified in Evidence Based Design.

What other leadership positions have you held locally?

I'm dedicated to continuing education and mentoring early careerists. I am a past president of Healthcare Leaders of New York, the local ACHE chapter, and serve on the National Advisory Board for the Healthcare Facilities Symposium and Expo. These organizations help with professional education and mentoring. Locally, I am on the Board of Directors at the Hammond Museum.

What are the most important issues facing the district and the Board of Education?

Students cannot learn and teachers cannot teach in classrooms that are excessively hot or cold, too noisy to hear, or have leaking ceilings. Prop Two will tackle our most pressing issues by addressing these and other critical infrastructure needs. I am particularly qualified to provide oversight for the Board of Education on this matter. With over 40 years of experience in design and construction, I have successfully managed the Fields Improvement Plan and the Security Bond projects, both of which were completed under budget.

My 12-year tenure as a board member has equipped me with the necessary experience in educational administration to address various concerns, including the implementation of updated curricula, navigating the impacts of the tax levy cap, and managing declining enrollment.

Frances Havard

Please list your career and educational accomplishments.

I’m a parent of four, with three kids currently in our district schools. As an educator, I’ve worked in international, public, independent, and online classrooms, gaining a wide-angle view of what makes schools thrive. I now work at a progressive independent school in Danbury, where I focus on how competency-based learning can build motivation and support neurodiverse teens. I recently earned my EdD in school leadership from Manhattanville, with ongoing research into what truly motivates adolescents.

What other leadership positions have you held locally?

I’m running for my second term on the North Salem Board of Education. I’ve served on Mission, Mental Health Awareness Team, Audit, and Policy committees, as well as special groups focused on Board protocols and strategic planning. Locally, I’ve been active with the Friends of the Ruth Keeler Memorial Library serving in different roles. I also help at PQ’s PTO by chairing ABC_PQ, a committee that brings authors to visit students in every grade.

What are the most important issues facing the district and the Board of Education?

NSCSD is doing important work and confronting challenges as it unrolls changes to current systems. This year, the district has focused on strengthening literacy, supporting student engagement, launching a strategic vision for athletics, and addressing aging facilities. Clear communication is essential to that progress and ensuring the community has the structure to be heard and involved. Each year, the Board has launched meaningful improvements in how we engage the public. Last year, we hosted open community conversations. This year, we partnered with the Mission Committee to launch a community Book Talk on "The Anxious Generation" and added public work sessions on important topics. I make it a priority to listen, show up for school and town events, and bring community voices into Board discussions. I’m grateful to the trustees and community for their shared belief in how strong collaboration can lead to the best education for our children.

Brandy Keenan

Please list your career and educational accomplishments.

I am a graduate of Vassar College where I concentrated on English Literature, American History, and Philosophy. Recently I went on an alumni trip to Vietnam with a Vassar professor whose Vietnam War class I had the opportunity to take this semester.

In the complete opposite direction of that, for my job with Cornell Cooperative Extension (CCE) in Putnam County, I have been taking a course by Cornell on “Teaching and Learning in the School Garden” as well as courses on Positive Youth Development and Food Systems. My job at CCE is directing and supporting the youth programming that we provide through 4-H clubs, school enrichment programs, and after school clubs. I am the regional chair for Horse Education, as well as a member of several CCE program work teams on youth civic leadership and farm to school programming.

What other leadership positions have you held locally?

This year I have served as the Vice President of the NS Board of Education where I chair the Policy Committee and sit on the Board Protocol Sub-Committee and the Contracts Sub-Committee.

In addition to my work on the Board of Education, I am a part of the Town Recreational Advisory Committee and the Climate Smart Committee.

What are the most important issues facing the district and the Board of Education?

This is always an interesting question. Many times, the most important issues facing the district are not the ones we, the Board, think they are. Often it is the parents and other stakeholders who guide the Board by letting us know what is pressing to them and needs attention. It’s important to listen and make space for that.

While it’s hard to predict what will become a major focus in the new school year, if I need to pinpoint issues I think will need Board focus I would say improving our facilities, supporting our building leaders in the curriculum work that has been going on this past year into the next, strengthening our athletic program, and continuing to support our students mental health. I hope to expand our BOCES programming, and our communications as a Board. I would like more community conversations and work sessions so that stakeholders have greater input/engagement and we can highlight more of the excellent work being done in the school.