Board Vacancies

My name is Dennis Garland. My wife, Krista and I have lived with our dogs in North Tonawanda for 10 years. We're originally from the Central Florida area. I began my career as a middle school special education teacher there, and eventually earned my Ph.D. in Education at the University of Central Florida.

I'm now an Associate Professor and Chair of the Special Education Department at Niagara University. I coordinate our partnerships associated with a Special Olympics Coaching and Games Management Course that I teach. I have served in many leadership capacities and am currently serving on the executive committee of the Niagara University Lay Teachers Union and University Technology Committee.

Since Krista and I bought our home in 2015, I have invested energy into our community in several ways. I facilitated a grant through Niagara University that helped launch the Little Free Pantry: North Tonawanda project in 2018. I've also served on the Advisory Board for the Salvation Army Tonawanda Corps, and currently serve on the North Tonawanda Historic Preservation Commission.

I've participated in the community build of the accessible playground at Mayor's Park. During 2020, Krista and I coordinated with WNY Peacemakers, North Tonawanda Police Department (NTPD), NT Parks & Recreation Department, and Victory Sports Global Outreach to distribute sports equipment to NTPD officers to have in their cars for engaging with kids in order to have positive activities during a stressful summer. We also managed several bins with sports equipment stationed at NT parks and at Spruce Elementary. Kids in our city should feel safe and be able to have access to fun in our city - even during a pandemic!

After NTPD provided a community response workshop on live attacker scenarios at the Fine Arts Center in 2020, I asked Lt. Nick lwaniki if he would facilitate a professional development for my special education teacher candidates about live attacker preparedness. He has since generously provided the PD to several cohorts since. I mention this to emphasize that we have a wealth of resources in North Tonawanda. Making the most of our strengths will be critical as face the financial and structural uncertainty within our educational system and the implications for our district and community.

I'm running for school board because as a first-generation college graduate, I have experienced the transformative power of how an education can facilitate the possibilities of the imagination. My experiences have prepared me to do my part in contributing toward making important decisions about providing the most meaningful educational opportunities for the kids in our district despite uncertain financial circumstances that affect all of us.

I'm grateful for the opportunity to compete to serve as a trustee for the North Tonawanda City School district. I will serve with dignity and in the best interest of all the students and their families who live here.

Feel free to contact me at https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61575032226232

My name is James Hutton, and I am a Licensed Social Worker. The reason I have decided to run for school board is to add a new perspective on the way school board operates through a social workers' lens. I am a lifelong resident of North Tonawanda and attended and graduated from North Tonawanda as a student in 2015. I recently interned as a social worker in North Tonawanda High School before getting my master's degree in social work in 2023 and what I learned and saw as a student was intriguing. I worked in the PASS Program which helps students that have been struggling with maintaining their grades, seeking out mentorship, as well as counseling these young adults on ways to help them move forward in their educational journeys. I believe that we are here for the students first and we as a school board are here to help them grow and to mature into the young men and women we had been when starting out our educational journeys all those years ago.

As a school board member, I intend to be transparent and to be a person that wants the best for our students and our staff. I want to be able to help address concerns of bullying and help the students and parents feel that they have a voice and to help adapt and develop polices to help students not feel like they are alone and make them feel that they can come for help. I want to also help with advocating for grants and allocating additional funding sources appropriately so that we can continue to have adequate textbooks and supportive technology for students and stay in the budget parameters.

As a school board member, I will continue to build on the foundation of our Board of Education Goals from 2024 and review progress. As well as discussing modifications to these goals and objectives that will help the students, parents, and teachers have a better educational outcome. I also will help build a bridge between evaluating opportunities to help counselors and other mental health professionals be part of the DEi initiatives and have a say in the way we want DEi covered.

Overall, ever since I was a young adult, I wanted to be able to help people and as a social worker now I can. But as a school board member, I believe that I will be able to help students reach the goals and dreams they have. As well as helping this community of North Tonawanda to continue to provide quality education for all the students and provide ample opportunities for teachers and parents to have a say in their children's educational journey.

Thank you

James Hutton LMSW

My name is Chloe Mulvaugh, and I have been serving on the North Tonawanda School board for about three years now. I am a nurse and have held my license for over nine years now, I am also a mom and business owner. My daughter attends North Tonawanda Schools and will be heading into Middle School next year.

Over the past three years, I've been proud to be a strong voice for school safety which includes increasing our number of SROs, fiscal responsibility, and social emotional learning­ bringing fresh ideas and a commitment to always being available to listen to parents and community members. If you reached out, I made sure your concerns were heard, whether it was bringing it the board, superintendent or admin at the particular school.

I've also had the opportunity to grow and learn as a board member by attending two NYS School Board Conventions and two Leadership Conferences, and I currently serve on the City School Board Committee.

You've probably seen me at many school events including the first day of school, Invention Convention, Trunk or Treats, concerts, and sporting events-celebrating our amazing students and staff.

If I have the honor of being re-elected, I want to focus on:

• Elevating the voices that don't feel heard - The last couple months have shown me that there is always room for improvement as a district in this area
• Increasing transparency within the community and the board
• Expanding social emotional learning with a focus on mental health

It would be a true privilege to continue serving this incredible community. Thank you for your support-let's keep working together to make our schools the best they can be!