Three candidates are seeking election for two available seats on the Board of Education. The two candidates with the highest number of votes will serve three (3) year terms commencing July 1, 2025 and running through June 30, 2028. 

The candidates, as they will appear on the ballot are Daniel Aliberte, Jenny Jared, and Rory Smith. These candidates have been invited to a Meet the Candidates Night at Onteora Middle/High School on Thursday, May 15 at 6 PM. The community is invited to come learn more about the candidates.

Here is some brief information about each candidate:

Daniel Aliberte, PARALEGAL AT LYG LAW FIRM
Lives in West Hurley
Returned to the District 3 years ago

Daniel Aliberte is a Class of 2000 graduate of Onteora High School and earned a Bachelor of Science from SUNY Oneonta. He grew up in Onteora but left the area after graduation. He returned to the area three years ago and currently has one child who attends Woodstock Elementary School. He serves as an assistant coach for a local little league. 

Jenny Jared, CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD and CO-FOUNDER OF THE COMMUNITY SERVICE NON-PROFIT UNITED WE OM
Lives in Hurley
Resident of District for 5 years

Jenny Jared has two children in the Onteora School District, one at Bennett Elementary School and one at Onteora Middle School. She holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts from Carnegie Mellon University. Jenny has been involved with the PTA and the Onteora Booster Club. She has been a part of the Woodstock Elementary School PTA and was the president of Bennett Elementary School PTA from 2021-2024. She is currently a parent representative on the District Safety Committee and is part of the Onteora Booster Club Leadership. She also served on a building-level Ad Hoc Committee in 2022, and on a Middle/High School Hiring Committee in 2024. In 2023, Jenny was the recipient of the Community Member Service Award, presented by the Onteora Teachers Association.

Rory Smith, WATERSHED MAINTAINER WITH THE DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION (DEP)
Lives in the Town of Olive
Resident of District for 23 years

Rory Smith has one child currently in the district, at Onteora High School, and another who graduated from Onteora High School in 2022. Rory served in the United States Army and received an Honorable Discharge. He served as a volunteer soccer coach for the Town of Olive for 8 years, and as a member of the soccer board.  Rory formerly worked for the Catskill Watershed Corporation and previously was a self-employed carpenter for 20 years