There are four (4) candidates seeking three (3) seats on the Board of Education. Each carries a new three-year term beginning July 1, 2019. The following biographies are written by the candidates and are listed in the order they will appear on the May 21 ballot:

Meghan K. McGarry

I have been a proud resident of the Averill Park Central School District for over seven years. My husband, Peter, and I have three children. Ashlyn is currently an eighth grader at Algonquin Middle School while Liam and Owen attend West Sand Lake Elementary. For the past 17 years I have worked as a Property & Casualty Insurance Broker, specializing in the area of Commercial Insurance. I volunteer to help the PTA and PTO organizations, and frequently work the bake sale table. I have served as a volunteer judge and Team Coach for Odyssey of the Mind. I have also served as a volunteer coach for the Averill Park Youth Soccer League, the Assistant Den Leader for Cub Scouts and Chairperson for the Cub Scout Pack 528 Annual Haunted House. I am a believer in the benefit of the Arts, Music, Science and Technology programs, as well as alternative ways of learning and special needs services. I am a strong advocate for the fair and equal treatment of all students in Averill Park. If given the opportunity to work with the Board of Education, I hope to bring a fresh perspective and an open mind.

Laura Broderick

I am a proud wife, mother and citizen of the Averill Park community. My husband and I have lived on Glass Lake in Averill Park for eight years and we have two small, beautiful, children, ages 5 and 4. I currently work as a chemical analyst at Regeneron Pharmaceuticals; working tirelessly to ensure life-saving medicine is safe and effective for all our patients around the globe. I am an animal lover, avid baker and family woman; baking treats for my family and friends is one of my most favorite hobbies. Being a woman of science, I understand the importance of making decisions with facts and data. I will work hard on behalf of all members of our community to ensure our schools continue to be a source of pride here in Rensselaer County. I do not shy away from hard work or tough decisions, and hope to bring my strong work ethic to the Averill Park Board of Education.

Peter Schaefer

My family and I moved to Averill Park because of the excellent reputation of the school district. Our daughters have attended West Sand Lake Elementary School, Algonquin Middle School, and Averill Park High School and participated in academics, sports, theater, and the arts. As an educator and scientist for over thirty years, I know the importance of a well-rounded academic curriculum for workplace preparation and career and college readiness. I support a balance between academics and extracurricular activities to keep our students engaged. I’ve worked as the Science Chair at Hudson Valley Community College and helped to make connections between higher education, local industry, and public schools. Should I be re-elected, I will continue to work for quality education, to fight for elimination of unfunded mandates and restoration of equitable state aid, and to promote a respectful, open dialogue among the school board, administration, teachers, and community.

Samantha Hicks

I am the mother of one Second Grade student and one soon-to-be Kindergartener at Poestenkill Elementary School. As a resident of four years in the district, I fight the Averill Park clay to grow vegetables and make as much maple syrup as possible. Currently enrolled in the University at Albany MPA program, I also hold a 500-ton U.S. Coast Guard Captain’s license and enjoyed a 17-year career on the water. I worked on large sailing vessels engaging in hands-on STEM education for young people and adults on the Hudson River, Atlantic Seaboard and around the world (literally).