Julie Algubani

Julie Algubani

Contact

Personal website

Julie Algubani was a candidate for at-large representative on the Williamsville Central School District school board in New York. Algubani was defeated in the at-large general election on May 16, 2017.

Elections

2017

See also: Williamsville Central School District 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.

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

See also: Campaign finance in the Williamsville Central School District elections

Algubani reported no contributions or expenditures to the New York State Board of Elections in the election.

Campaign themes

2017

Candidate website

Algubani highlighted the following issues on her campaign website:

“	Addressing Uneven Progress The Williamsville School District is one of the best in our region. However, students from low-income families and students with a disability are significantly less likely to graduate than their peers. We must provide all families with the necessary resources such as upgraded technology and enrichment activities to ensure every child succeeds. Providing Educator Support Educators are using personal funds to buy supplies for their classrooms. We need to support teachers with the budget they need to build a learning environment for our children. Opposing Vouchers and Charters Everyone should have access to the highest quality public education, no matter their backgrounds. I oppose any measure that uses public dollars to create an education system that would be tiered by class. Supporting Common Sense in State Testing The best decision-makers about the education of our children are the teachers and parents. We should oppose any curricula or evaluation measure that demands that teachers must teach to a test rather than to their class.	”
—Julie Algubani (2017)

Williamsville PTSA Council survey

Algubani answered the following questions provided by the Williamsville PTSA Council. The questions provided by the council appear bolded, and Algubani's responses follow below.

Reason for seeking election:

“	From the time that I’ve entered this district I’ve noticed that there are an amazing amount of resources and opportunities that are available for the students and families. Many families move into this district because of the reputation that the educational success of the district has. As a mother of a special needs child, I know firsthand how essential those things are for a student, family and community to be successful. As a community activist I know how important it is that we recognize the importance of the voice of the community, the students, families and educators so that we can continue with the long legacy of success.	”
—Julie Algubani (2017)

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?

“	Betsy DeVos does not have any working knowledge or any tangible experience relating to the education system that legitimately qualifiers her to be the Secretary of Education. Her stances on voucher programs and pro-charter sentiments demonstrate that she does not have an adequate understanding of what teachers and districts need to provide a quality public education for a child. She chooses instead to push the concept that schools should operate in a way that would ultimately create a profit for a few, billion dollar donors by cutting 1.5 billion dollars from education funding. DeVos is in her position for personal financial and political gain and each of her decisions has and will continue to hurt the quality of education for millions of students, which substantiates it further as a direct conflict. It is not a conflict for Williamsville School Board members to have their campaigns financed entirely or even partially by the Williamsville Teachers Association. Neither the board members nor the teachers are lining their own pockets during contract negotiations and each party's focus is on what's in the best interest of the students of the district. Contracts are in place to ensure the teachers are receiving livable wages to support their families along with adequate benefits. In turn, the contracts ensure that the district is able to retain quality teachers, attract new ones with the appropriate experience and continue to build on the foundation of success that the district already holds. Organizations often align with candidates that share the same concerns, stances, goals and values.	”
—Julie Algubani (2017)

See also

• Williamsville Central School District, New York
• Williamsville Central School District elections (2017)

External links

Suggest a link

• Williamsville Central School District
• Campaign website