Board Members
Meet our Board Members and learn about our Committees and Candidates.
Board Members
Jason Fernau,
President
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Jason Fernau was elected to the Board of Education in May 2018 to a three-year term and re-elected in 2021 and 2024. He has served as the President since July 2021, after previously serving as the Vice President of the Board. He also currently serves on the WSWHE BOCES Board of Education. He is a proud BSHS graduate and has been a resident in the district for over 50 years. He is the parent of two BSHS graduates, a son and a daughter. Jason has served as a past Vice President of the Malta Avenue PTA, and a past President and Treasurer of the District PTA Council. He currently works for MAXIMUS, working for the New York State of Health (Health Care Exchange), leading a reporting and data analytics team. His educational background consists of an undergraduate degree in English Education from Boston University, and a Master's of Business Administration from the University at Albany, SUNY. Along with his family, he has volunteered at the Ronald McDonald House of Albany for over 18 years. He resides with his wife Kathy in Malta.
Katie Whittemore,
Vice President
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Katie Whittemore was elected to the BOE in June of 2020 and reelected in May 2023 for a three-year term. She was selected to serve as Vice President in July 2021, 2022 and again in July 2023. Katie has taught mathematics at Shenendehowa High School since 2006. She also serves as the Membership Chair for the Gordon Creek Elementary School PTA. Katie and her husband, Scott, are the proud parents of two children who attend Gordon Creek Elementary School and the Middle School. Katie earned dual undergraduate degrees in Mathematics and Education from Duquesne University and went on to earn a master’s degree in Curriculum and Instruction from McDaniel College.
Matthew Dreher
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Matthew Dreher was elected to serve a three year term on the Board of Education in June 2020 and reelected in May 2023. He is a lifelong resident of Ballston Spa, having attended Milton Terrace Elementary School, Ballston Spa Middle School and graduating from Ballston Spa High School in 1991. He received a bachelor’s degree in Political Science from SUNY Plattsburgh. Matthew and his wife Rebecca have two children. Their daughter is in 12th grade at the Ballston Spa High School and their son is in 5th grade at Wood Road Elementary School. He has been employed for over 21 years at the Saratoga County Department of Social Services. He also serves on the Board at the Christian Childhood Center at St.Paul’s in Saratoga Springs and is a dance dad, theatre dad and baseball dad.
Holly Barker-Flynn
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Holly Barker Flynn was elected in May 2022 to complete the unexpired term of a former Board member and was sworn in and seated as a Board member on May 18, 2022. Her educational background includes a Master’s Degree in Education, School Counseling Concentration from SUNY Oneonta, and a Bachelor of Science Degree in Psychology from Elmira College. She is currently serving as the Director of the Welcome Experience at the University at Albany. Her school/community involvement includes serving as the former Chair of the Ballston Spa Education Foundation; as well as a Ballston Area Recreation Commission Board member from 2013-2019. She is a 21-year resident in the district and lives in Malta with her husband Shaun and son Collin, who is a sophomore at Ballston Spa High School and Early College High School.
Lawrence (Law) Ryan
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Lawrence (Law) Ryan was appointed to a vacant seat on the Board of Education in December 2021 to serve until the end of the 2021-2022 school year. He was then elected to a three-year term in May 2022, beginning in July 2022. Law graduated from Niagara Falls High School in 1989 and has received an Associate’s degree in Engineering Science from Erie County Community College, a Bachelor’s degree in Mathematics/Criminal Justice from SUNY Albany and a Master’s of Business Administration from the College of St. Rose. He currently works for AngioDynamics as a Quality Assurance Manager and has worked in the medical device manufacturing industry for the past 24 years. Law has also worked part-time in the restaurant industry for more than 25 years. He has spent several years involved with many local school and community programs including Ballston Area Recreation Commission, Ballston Spa Junior Baseball, St. Mary’s CYO Basketball, Super Science Saturday co-chair for Milton Terrace, PTA Council Treasurer and avid apheresis plasma/platelet donor for the American Red Cross. He is a 21-year resident of the Town of Milton where he lives with his wife Jen, an educator who works for Capital Region BOCES, and son Aidan, who is a current 10th grader.
Julia Routbort Baskin
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Dr. Julia Routbort Baskin was appointed to serve on the Board of Education for the remainder of the year at the September 7, 2022 Board of Education meeting. She was subsequently elected to fill the seat at the BOE elections on May 16, 2023. Dr. Baskin is a longtime village resident and mental health professional who is a parent of two Ballston Spa High School graduates. She has worked in multiple educational settings and is currently employed at Skidmore College as the Associate Dean of Student Affairs for Health and Wellness. She is a licensed clinical psychologist and earned her Ph.D. from the University of Michigan, where she completed both the child and adult clinical tracks.
Fabrizia Rodriguez
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Fabrizia Rodriguez was elected to the Board in May 2024 and began her three-year term in July 2024. She has over 13 years experience advocating and representing families as an attorney with a focus on Child Welfare Laws and Immigration Law. Fabrizia received her law degree at the University of Massachusetts, and her undergraduate degree at University of Connecticut majoring in Political Science. Additionally, she has experience in grant writing for Capital District BOCES and Centro Civico Inc., including leading the applications to fund a Universal PreK Program for both Queensbury School District and for Centro Civico in partnership with Albany School District. Fabrizia has led programs in both the nonprofit and municipality sectors working closely with NYS Department of Health, NYS Department of Transportation, and Labor Unions. She also served as a Parent Liaison for Amsterdam School District and supported initiatives to enhance communication and involvement between school and family. Fabrizia has been residing in the Town of Ballston since 2018, and is the proud mother of two sons who attend Gordon Creek Elementary. She is the current Vice President of Ballston Spa Community Youth Football Inc., and her sons’ have been active participants in many youth programs including BSCSD Music Department, Ballston Spa Soccer Club, Ballston Spa Capital District Youth Basketball, Ballston Spa Youth Lacrosse, and other youth sport clubs of surrounding areas.
BOARD OF EDUCATION 2024-2025
The board recognized Dottie Sellers for her 7 years of service and commitment to the Board of Education and our district as her term came to an end.
Committees
2210 Committees of the Board
Each committee shall be compromised of not more than three Board members. At the first committee meeting, the committee will select a chairperson. The chairperson shall report to the Board from time to time as is deemed appropriate by the President and the chairperson. At the request of the Board, the President will establish temporary committees on an as needed basis consisting of less than a quorum of the full membership for special purposes. These committees will be discharged on the completion of their assignment. The President of the Board will be an ex-officio member of such committees.
Standing Committees
The Board recognizes its duty to maintain open lines of communication with the various programs and functions of the District. The Board shall establish before the first day of school standing committees to provide a basis for contact and a vehicle for communication and information exchange between administrative staff and the Board.
- Audit Committee
Pursuant to section 170.12 of the Regulations of the Commissioner of Education, the Board has established an audit committee to oversee the annual audit of the District, and report on its findings to the Board.
- Executive Committee
The Executive Committee shall be comprised of the President, Vice President and a third member that is selected by the President at his/her discretion.
- Policy Committee
As a policy-making body that is charged with the overall direction of the school district, the Board has established a standing Policy Committee to propose, review, and establish key policies that will guide the Superintendent and the administrative staff in managing the day-to-day operations of the District.
- Communication Committee
Based on the importance of maintaining timely, substantive and transparent two-way communications with the BSCSD staff, parents, and community, the Board has established a standing Communications Committee to provide feedback and direction to the Superintendent.
The Executive Committee shall be chaired by the President and shall meet regularly with the Superintendent regarding matters of administrative, legislative and/or policy planning related activities of the District. The Executive Committee will represent the Board in matters requiring legislative research, analysis, and/or representation before local, state and federal government bodies.
Advisors and Advisory Committees
The President of the Board may at its discretion establish committees for the purpose of undertaking a specific task in connection with Board activity. These committees, however, cannot make legal decisions for the entire Board. The President of the Board will be an ex-officio member of such committees.
The Board may appoint citizens committees whenever it determines the formation of advisory committees is in the best interest of the School District. In establishing such committees, the Board shall seek the advice of the superintendent. The establishment of the committee shall become a matter of record in the minutes of a regular Board meeting.
These committees shall serve at the pleasure of the Board and, unless specifically charged with a continuing function, shall be considered discharged when the relevant reports, statements, or recommendations have been made. The Board shall consider and, within a reasonable time, respond to the recommendations offered by such committees, but must reserve ultimate decision to its judgment. The Board has the right to accept, reject, or modify all or any part of a committee recommendation.
Education Law Sections 1708, 2116-c and 4601
Meet the Candidates
Meet the Candidates for the Board of Education - May 2024
Ballston Spa CSD Board of Education Elections – May 21, 2024:
There are two Board of Education seats up for election this year, commencing in July 2024.
Voters will select from the following candidates at the polls: Jason Fernau, Fabrizia Rodriguez and Tim Turbiak.
A Candidates Information Night was held on May 7, 2024 at 6:30pm in the BSHS Library for area voters to learn more about the candidates. The evening was broadcast on the district's Youtube Channel. The direct link to the recording is: Ballston Spa Meet the BOE Candidates Night - May 7, 2024
The annual statewide School Budget Vote and Board of Education Elections will be held on May 21, 2024 from 7:00am – 9:00pm.
District residents vote at Ballston Spa High School (residents of the Towns of Ballston, Milton and Charlton) and the Malta Town Hall (residents of Malta).
Board of Education Candidate Information: 2024-2025
Jason Fernau
Jason Fernau was elected to the Board of Education in May 2018 to a three-year term and re-elected in May 2021. He was selected as the President in July 2021, 2022 and again in July 2023, after previously serving as the Vice President of the Board. He also currently serves on the WSWHE BOCES Board of Education. He is a proud BSHS graduate and has been a resident in the district for over 45 years. He is the parent of two BSHS graduates, a son and a daughter. Jason has served as a past Vice President of the Malta Avenue PTA, and a past President and Treasurer of the District PTA Council. He currently works for MAXIMUS, working for the New York State of Health (Health Care Exchange), leading a reporting and data analytics team. His educational background consists of an undergraduate degree in English Education from Boston University, and a Master’s of Business Administration from the University at Albany, SUNY. Along with his family, he has volunteered at the Ronald McDonald House of Albany for over 15 years. He resides with his wife Kathy and family in Malta.
Position Statement
It has been my pleasure to serve on the Board of Education for the last six years and see what had been a high performing school district make even greater advancements in providing high quality instruction and extracurricular activities to all its students at all grade levels. These advancements have been because of the support of community partnerships, our parents and caregivers, our professional and support staff, our administration, and the Board of Education which I have been proud to lead as President for the last three years. This District provides a sense of belonging and an education path for every one of our students. I am committed to setting expectations for instructional excellence, safe and welcoming school environments, positive partnerships with our local Town and Village governments, fiscal responsibility to our taxpayers, and making sure that every student is engaged and challenged in their educational journey. I am aware and respectful of the many constituencies I need to consider in my role, while always making sure that the primary focus is on our students and what is best for them. I look forward to being able to continue in this role and ask for the support of our community by voting for me as a candidate.
Tim Turbiak
Tim Turbiak was elected to the Board in May 2021 and began his three-year term in July 2021. During his time on the Board, he has served on the Policy Committee the last 2 years and as the liaison to the PTAs over the last 3 years. Tim moved to the area in 2019 from Brooklyn. There, he graduated from Xavier High School in Manhattan in 2002 and completed his certification to become a radiographic technologist at the Bartone School of Radiography in 2007. He is currently employed with OrthoNY. Over the years he has helped organize a number of fundraisers, helping organizations such as Toys for Tots, Meals On Wheels, the Wounded Warrior Project, and the National Multiple Sclerosis Society. He currently resides in Ballston Spa with his wife Eliana and their two children.
Position Statement
I joined the Board 3 years ago in the midst of a global pandemic. The progress we have made as a district and community since that time has simply blown me away. If re-elected, I intend to help build on that progress as well as address the new challenges we face. I will advocate for policies and practices which promote inclusion, limit - if not remove - obstacles which may affect learning, and encourage our students to come to school and want to learn. I will support the district in providing the resources needed so each student has their individual needs met, and accomplish the ultimate goal to obtain a meaningful diploma. It is my hope that together, as a community, we can make our schools a great place for our students now and for tomorrow as well.
Fabrizia Rodriguez
Fabrizia Rodriguez has over 13 years experience advocating and representing families as an attorney with a focus on Child Welfare Laws and Immigration Law. Fabrizia received her law degree at the University of Massachusetts, and her undergraduate degree at University of Connecticut majoring in Political Science. Additionally, Fabrizia has experience in grant writing for Capital District BOCES and Centro Civico Inc., including leading the applications to fund a Universal PreK Program for both Queensbury School District and for Centro Civico in partnership with Albany School District. Fabrizia has led programs in both the nonprofit and municipality sectors working closely with NYS Department of Health, NYS Department of Transportation, and Labor Unions. Fabrizia served as a Parent Liaison for Amsterdam School District and supported initiatives to enhance communication and involvement between school and family. Fabrizia has been residing in the Town of Ballston since 2018, and currently is the proud mother of two sons, 5th grader and 3rd grader at Gordon Creek. She is the current Vice President of Ballston Spa Community Youth Football Inc., and her sons’ have been active participants in many youth programs including BSCSD Music Department, Ballston Spa Soccer Club, Ballston Spa Capital District Youth Basketball, Ballston Spa Youth Lacrosse, and other youth sport clubs of surrounding areas.
Position Statement
I am running for Ballston Spa Board of Education because I have witnessed the amazing things students can accomplish when provided with resources and passionate educators. I believe all children deserve the opportunity to be great and maximize their unique talents. I have met some amazing children, families, and teachers in my new home of Ballston that fuel my motivation to advocate and represent their needs. My professional experience has provided me the opportunity to see the impact community and school district investment can have on child development. My personal experience as a mother has shown me that every child is unique and innovative strategies to support them are needed. If elected, I will advocate for modernized resources and tools to best support our staff in developing outstanding Ballston Spa citizens.