Michael Littman
Michael Littman was a candidate for at-large representative on the Williamsville Central School District school board in New York. Littman was defeated in the at-large general election on May 16, 2017.
Littman previously served on the board. He was elected in 2006, and served until 2015, when he lost his bid for another term in the general election on May 19, 2015.[1][2]
Biography
Littman's work experience includes serving as an associate professor of business and the chair of business at the State University of New York at Buffalo State. He earned a bachelor's degree from the University of Massachusetts at Amherst, a master's degree in education from Auburn University, and a doctoral degree from The Ohio State University. He has two children who both graduated from the Williamsville Central School District.[1]
Elections
2017
Three of the nine seats on the Williamsville Central School District Board of Education were up for at-large general election on May 16, 2017. No incumbents filed to run for re-election, which left all three seats open for newcomers. Seven candidates—Julie Algubani, Shonda Brock, Michael Littman, Susan McClary, Philip Meyer, Liam O'Mahony, and Kurt Venator—ran for the seats. McClary, Meyer, and Venator defeated the other candidates to be elected to their first terms on the board.[3][4]
Results
| Williamsville Central School District, At-large General Election, 3-year terms, 2017 |
||
|---|---|---|
| Candidate | Vote % | Votes |
 Kurt Venator |
22.33% | 2,025 |
| Susan McClary |
20.81% | 1,887 |
| Philip Meyer |
20.66% | 1,873 |
| Michael Littman | 12.30% | 1,115 |
| Shonda Brock | 8.59% | 779 |
| Julie Algubani | 8.47% | 768 |
| Liam O'Mahony | 6.84% | 620 |
| Total Votes | 9,067 | |
| Source: Williamsville Central School District, "Regular Board Meeting: Approved Minutes May 23, 2017," accessed September 6, 2017 | ||
Funding
Littman reported no contributions or expenditures to the New York State Board of Elections in the election.[5]
2015
Three of nine at-large seats on the Williamsville Central School District Board of Education were up for general election on May 19, 2015. Because the election was held at-large, qualified voters of the district could vote for all three seats. The three candidates who received the most votes in the election were considered elected to the board.
The seats held by incumbents Michael Littman, Jay Smith and Toni Vazquez were on the ballot. The incumbents ran against four challengers—Sam Alba, Robert Campo, Shawn P. Lemay and Mark Mecca—in this election. Vazquez was the only incumbent to successfully retain her seat. Lemay and Mecca also won seats on the board.
Results
| Williamsville Central School District, At-Large General Election, 3-year term, 2015 |
||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
| Nonpartisan | Shawn P. Lemay |
19.2% | 3,179 | |
| Nonpartisan | Toni Vazquez Incumbent |
19% | 3,145 | |
| Nonpartisan | Mark Mecca |
17.5% | 2,896 | |
| Nonpartisan | Michael Littman Incumbent | 12.7% | 2,106 | |
| Nonpartisan | Jay Smith Incumbent | 11.1% | 1,834 | |
| Nonpartisan | Sam Alba | 10.2% | 1,693 | |
| Nonpartisan | Robert Campo | 10% | 1,657 | |
| Nonpartisan | Write in votes | 0.4% | 73 | |
| Total Votes | 16,583 | |||
| Source: Williamsville Central School District, "Board of Education Agenda - May 26, 2015," accessed June 8, 2015 | ||||
Funding
Littman reported no contributions or expenditures to the New York State Board of Elections in the election.[6][7]
Endorsements
Littman did not receive any official endorsements for this election.
2012
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nonpartisan | Michael Littman Incumbent |
35.3% | 2,668 | |
| Nonpartisan | Jay Smith |
33.8% | 2,559 | |
| Nonpartisan | Toni Vazquez |
30.9% | 2,338 | |
| Total Votes | 7,565 | |||
| Source: Williamsville Central School District, "Voters approve 2012-13 budget," accessed May 1, 2014 | ||||
Campaign themes
2017
Littman answered the following questions provided by the Williamsville PTSA Council. The questions provided by the council appear bolded, and Littman's responses follow below.
Reason for seeking election:
| “ | The Board of Education needs experienced members to balance the changes over the past few election cycles. As an experienced board leader with two terms each as president and vice president, I have a history of strong financial responsibility, advocacy for academic achievement, athletics, arts, music, school safety, health and wellness programs, special need student programs, and character development. I have also supported teacher and administrative needs. My strength is the ability to balance the needs of students with community resources.
I am a listener and a consensus builder, recognized with a New York State School Board Excellence Award in 2015 and School Board Achievement Award in 2012.[8] |
” |
| —Michael Littman (2017)[3] | ||
Do you think it is a conflict of interest for Betsy DeVos, someone who has spent millions of dollars supporting charter schools and taking money away from public education, to serve as Secretary of Education. If so, in your opinion, is this conflict similar to the conflict some members of the Williamsville School Board, who's campaigns were financed entirely by the Williamsville Teacher's Association, will face this year when they have to negotiate a new contract with the Williamsville Teacher's Association?
| “ | As a business professor who teaches a course in leadership ethics, by definition, Secretary DeVos has a conflict of interest. Carrying that to Williamsville Teacher’s Association fully financing candidates for the Williamsville BOE, it is, by definition, a conflict of interest.
The reality if that citizen’s expect their politicians and school board members to be honest, impartial, just, and fair in their usage of taxpayer’s money. Taxpayers would expect their elected board members to have the ability to balance the needs and concerns of varied education stakeholders without being overly influenced by a support group, which, in this case, is the negotiation of the WTA contract. The main function of the Board of Education is to insure academic achievement of students. Another function of the BOE is to develop a budget acceptable to the community by balancing revenues and expenses with the needs of students. These functions will not be successful if the elected members of the BOE are overly influenced by and motivated by teacher’s support in their election. Teacher support is necessary for successful Williamsville Schools, but so is parental involvement, strong administrative leadership, and a community caring. We must all work together for the goal of developing the personal and professional character necessary for success. We look forward to the bright future of our graduates based on putting student educational success first. Recent board members elected through heavy campaign lobbying and financing by the WTA should recuse themselves if they feel unduly influenced by the WTA actions. I am impartial and have always put students first. Thank you.[8] |
” |
| —Michael Littman (2017)[3] | ||
2015
Littman listed the following as top issues in the district in an interview with The Buffalo News:
| “ | 1) Our responsibility is to assure each child will meet their full and unique potential. This is clearly a budgeting and resource allocation issue. It Is always a challenge to develop a successful budget. I have advocated for balancing our resources to meet student needs and taxpayer needs as we have done successfully in my 9 years on the Board. 2) Balancing appropriate assessment with student instructional needs. The District and BOE has reduced the numbers of State test allowed as well providing students the chance to Opt Out and read. 3) Two way communication with teachers and community. This can be enhanced by BOE visits to each school and to establish community round tables for our parents to discuss issues with Board members.[8] | ” |
| —Michael Littman[9] | ||
See also
- Williamsville Central School District, New York
- Williamsville Central School District elections (2017)
- Williamsville Central School District elections (2015)
- Embroiled incumbents see differing outcomes in May 19 school board elections across five states (May 21, 2015)
External links
Footnotes
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Williamsville Central School District, "Meet the Board: Dr. Michael J. Littman," accessed May 1, 2015
- ↑ Williamsville Central School District, "Seven candidates on ballot for Williamsville School Board," April 21, 2015
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 Williamsville Central School District, "2017-18 School Board Candidates," accessed April 20, 2017
- ↑ Williamsville Central School District, "Budget passes overwhelmingly; three newcomers elected to Board," accessed May 16, 2017 These election results are unofficial and will be updated after official vote totals are made available.
- ↑ New York State Board of Elections, "Campaign Finance View Disclosure Reports: Candidate and Committee Search," accessed June 6, 2017
- ↑ New York State Board of Elections, "Campaign Financial Disclosure: Expenditure Search Page," accessed July 8, 2015
- ↑ New York State Board of Elections, "Campaign Financial Disclosure: Contribution Search Page," accessed July 8, 2015
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 8.2 Note: This text is quoted verbatim from the original source. Any inconsistencies are attributable to the original source.
- ↑ The Buffalo News, "Michael J. Littman," accessed May 19, 2015
| Williamsville Central School District elections in 2017 | |
| Erie County, New York | |
| Election date: | May 16, 2017 |
| Candidates: | At-large: • Julie Algubani • Shonda Brock • Michael Littman • Susan McClary • Philip Meyer • Liam O'Mahony • Kurt Venator |
| Important information: | What was at stake? • Additional elections on the ballot • Key deadlines |
| 2015 Williamsville Central School District Elections | |
| Erie County, New York | |
| Election date: | May 19, 2015 |
| Candidates: | At-large: • Incumbent, Michael Littman • Incumbent, Jay Smith • Incumbent, Toni Vazquez • Sam Alba • Robert Campo • Shawn P. Lemay • Mark Mecca |
| Important information: | Key deadlines • Additional elections on the ballot |
