Five candidates are in the running for three seats on the Lewiston-Porter Central school board this year.
The candidates, Susan Rhodenizer, Annie Huntington, Steven Tarnowski, Carl Turner and Chris Bragdon, are all seeking three-year terms through 2028. Current board President Danielle Mullen and members Chuck Barber and April Saks will not be running for reelection.
During Monday’s school board work session, following a presentation on the 2025/26 school budget, four students in the Participation in Government class asked the candidates several questions their class came up with. The topics ranged from the increased conversations about bullying in the district to how to keep quality educators and what they would change about the budget.
Rhodenizer is a retired school teacher, the former director of the Niagara Falls City School District’s Teacher Center, and parent of a Lew-Port graduate. She wants every student to flourish in the district like her son.
“We need to provide support to all of our students of all abilities, especially those who may be struggling with academic or mental health issues,” Rhodenizer said. “A primary condition for student success is to provide a safe learning environment.”
Starting this fall, Huntington will have four children attending Lew-Port schools, which is why she felt this was the right time to run for the school board. She said that dealing with four kids, each with their own personality, gives her experience in problem-solving and finding alternate solutions. She also wants to gain insight from other parents when working toward common goals.
“When we find opportunities to highlight all the different avenues of success, we promote a balanced, diverse environment,” Huntington said.
A lieutenant detective with the Lockport Police Department for 16 years, who ran for the school board last year, Tarnowski has lived in the Lew-Port district for 34 years, raising five children with two currently in the district and one about to start pre-k. He believes his law enforcement experience is what the board needs, with one of his main priorities making sure that teachers and teacher aides keep their jobs.
“I look forward to finding solutions to keeping our sports, technology, art, and music top notch,” he said
Turner is an Air Force veteran and has been a social worker since 2011, and said his background gives him a strong understanding of childhood development and the factors that can influence success. He was inspired to run after his son experienced some bullying, saying there is more work needed in laying down ground rules for students.
“My overarm is to advocate for policies that prioritize student well-being, academic achievement, and a robust partnership with parents,” Turner said, adding he wants a collaborative work environment to ensure the best educational experience.
An associate director for residential life at the University at Buffalo, Bragdon has more than 30 years experience in various facets of education, with two student athletes at Lew-Port. His parents stressed the importance of public education and he said it’s the strong backbone for a community and future student success.
“The foundation students building during this time is critical, no matter their background, learning needs or goals,” Bragdon said, advocating for a safe learning environment, school board accessibility, and for staff to have a voice in shaping the learning environment.
The school board vote, along with votes for the $55.8 million school budget and a proposition to transfer ownership of the Lewiston Police Department building on school property to the Town of Lewiston, will take place from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday at the district’s Community Resource Center.