James Martineck

Education: BA Economics, Hobart College; MBA Accounting, Niagara University; MS Finance, Indiana University

Family: Wife, Chrissy; daughter, Taylor; sons, Matthew and Daniel

Occupation: Production Supervisor at General Motors

Affiliations: Republican Party

Experience: No political experience; work experience, Financial Analyst at GM, Invitrogen, Gibraltar Steel, National Air cargo

Reason for running: The recent economic downturn led to cuts in academics and extra-curricular activities and with a reduction in state aid, further cuts could be made. Since my children will be in the district for the next 12 years, I want to ensure the programs available today will be available in the future. My education and work experience qualifies me to formulate budget plans that will keep programs available to the district’s youth. I plan to evaluate all the district’s programs on a lost-benefit basis to ensure students are getting the best value for their parents’ tax dollars.

Education: Bachelor of Science degree from Buffalo State, 1993, in Business Administration

Family: Married to Mary Ann, 1976 graduate of NTHS; Daughter, Danielle, 2006 graduate NTHS; son, Sean, currently a sophomore at NTHS

Occupation: Deputy Commissioner at Niagara County Board of Elections

Affiliations: Currently member of Niagara SPCA, vice president of NT Hockey Booster Club, secretary of NT Baseball Boosters, baseball coach at NT American Babe Ruth League

Experience: Currently the NT School District Representative to Orleans-Niagara BOCES, NT Board Member from 2008-2011, Board Member Niagara County Head Start 2006-2011, NT Alderman 2000-2001

Reason for running: The challenge of serving on the Board of Education is trying to strike a balance between providing our children with a great education and holding the line on spending to be responsive to taxpayers. The fact is tax increases and cutting programs from our children’s education experience are viewed as the only ways to balance our current fiscal crisis. The fact is they should be our last options and not our only choices. Looking at things differently is the basis for my candidacy for the NT School Board. We need to now find creative ways to lower our cost structure in our District. For example, what services can we share with the city and county to become more efficient? How can we convince our state elected officials the time is now for our district to experience unfunded mandate relief? Can we share functions with neighboring districts more frequently like we did with the Director of Curriculum Services with Lewiston-Porter? My record as a school board member has been one of fiscal restraint and wise investments in our children. I am willing and able to make tough decisions in tough times. Good schools are important to our community and above all else NT’s future. Preserving good schools starts with electing the right board members.

Education: Alumni of Spruce Elementary, Reszel Jr. High and North Tonawanda High Class of 92; graduated Niagara-Orleans BOCES LPN program; U.S. Army Hospital Dietician, Food Service, Combat Medic, Nurse; received Connelly Award for excellence in Food Service; enrolling in D’Youville College for Bachelor in Business Management

Family: Married to Ross Bolsover, we have three children 15, 14, 10. The children all attend North Tonawanda Public Schools. I am the youngest of 7 children whom all attended North Tonawanda High School.

Occupation: I have been blessed to be a stay at home mother for the last six years. Honorably discharged as a Staff Sgt. after 15 years of service in the U.S. Army Reserves.
Affiliations: NTMS Parent Partnership, Spruce Home and School Organization, Life member of the #7545 VFW Tonawanda Post, The American Legion

Experience: Treasurer (2 yrs.) for the Spruce Home and School Organization, President (2 yrs.) for the NTMS Parent Partnership, Spruce School SDM Committee (1 yr.)

Reason for running: Working with the Parent Group Organizations as Volunteer, Member of SDM, President of NTMS Parent Partnership and Treasurer of Spruce Home and School Organization, I have enjoyed giving of my time and saw the benefits to the students and families. I am now looking to serve the whole of the community with that same sense of dedication, compassion and perseverance. My strong devotion for North Tonawanda comes from the fact that my three children are fifth generation students. Having children in all levels of education, I have an understanding of students’ and teachers’ needs and challenges that they face in achieving the children’s educational goals. I want to intensify that fire of pride to this district so that all who say NT Schools can do so knowing that their children, grandchildren, nieces or nephews are receiving the best academic, technological, supportive, caring and financially responsible education that can be offered. To do so there will be times that call for hard decisions and compromise but for the best interests of the students it can be done, it must be done. I thank you for your support in electing me as a member of the NT School Board to represent the children and the families of a city I call home.

Family: Married, three grown children who attended North Tonawanda schools, 10 grandchildren (7 of which attend North Tonawanda elementary schools)

Occupations: Retired account clerk

Experience: 16 years working for North Tonawanda Schools – most were in the Administrative office

Reason for running: My main priority is children’s education. The goal of the school district should be to provide a quality education for the children of North Tonawanda, and I feel North Tonawanda is working hard to accomplish this. With the bad economy people are facing for the next few years, we have to look for ways to keep taxes down without cutting away at our children’s programs. Having worked 16 years for the school district, I have seen the day-to-day operations and feel there are ways to save taxpayers without hurting the children. I will always be available to listen to anyone who has ideas or needs help.