Board of Education Candidate Info
Important Information for West Seneca Central School District Board of Education Candidates:
There are three (3) three year terms to commence on July 1, 2026, and continue through and including June 30, 2029 (expires as of July 1, 2029).
All prospective candidates seeking membership to the Board of Education shall be nominated by petition. A candidate for election to the Board of Education must complete a nominating petition to confirm that they meet all applicable eligibility requirements.
All prospective candidates seeking membership to the Board of Education shall be nominated by petition. A candidate for election to the Board of Education must complete a nominating petition to confirm that they meet all applicable eligibility requirements.
A total of 45 signatures are required and all signatures must be legible and addresses complete. It is advisable to secure substantially more than forty-five (45) qualified voters' signatures, since some may be disallowed.
Beginning on Wednesday, March 4, 2026 - A nominating petition can be scheduled for pick up by contacting our District Clerk Melissa Schutrum at (716) 677-3101 or you may email her by clicking here.
You may also obtain a packet online by clicking the button below:
PLEASE NOTE: Completed nominating petitions must be filed in the office of the District Clerk no later than 5:00 p.m. on Monday, April 20, 2026.
There will be no exceptions.
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Other Information on Running for the West Seneca Central School District Board of Education:
A drawing for placement on the ballot will take place on Tuesday, April 21, 2026 at 9:00am in the District Office. In the event you cannot be present in person or by a person designated in a written proxy to accomplish the drawing, the law authorizes the District Clerk to draw a position for you. The District Clerk will draw your position and you will be notified of the position chosen for you immediately following the drawing. Please leave a phone number where you can be reached that day with the District Clerk.
When you file formally as a candidate, you will be required to complete (3) three expenditure statements as required by New York State Education Law. A candidate who spends $500 or less on their campaign is only required to file a sworn statement with the District Clerk indicating this to be the case. If a candidate's campaign expenditures exceed $500, the candidate must file a sworn statement with both the District Clerk and the Commissioner of Education itemizing their expenditures. This statement must list the amounts of all money or other valuable items paid, given, expended or promised by the candidate, or incurred for or on the candidate's behalf with his or her approval. These forms are included with the dates noted for filing.
The annual vote/election will be held on Tuesday, May 19, 2026 at East Senior High School in the Gymnasium from 7am until 9pm.
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A time table is provided below for your information and to assist in accomplishing your responsibilities for candidacy on a timely basis.
BEFORE Election Day:
- MARCH 4 - Petition available to prospective candidates
- MARCH 28 - Erie County School Boards Association (ECASB) will hold a Prospective School Board Member program, free of charge, on Saturday, March 28, 2026 from 9am until 11:30am at Erie 1 BOCES, 355 Harlem Road, West Seneca, NY 14224. Click here for more information.
- APRIL 20 - First expenditure statement due to District Clerk (30th day preceding Election Day)
- APRIL 21 @ 9:00am - A drawing to determine the placement of Board candidates on ballot/voting machine
- MAY 12 @ 6:00pm - Budget Hearing (Held in the Board Room, 2nd Floor of West Elementary School)
- MAY 14 - Second expenditure statement due to District Clerk (5th day preceding Election Day)
- MAY 19 - 7:00am - 9:00pm - Budget Vote and Board Member Election located at East Senior High School in the Gymnasium
AFTER Election Day:
- JUNE 8 - Third Expenditure statement due to District Clerk (20 days after Election day)
- JULY (Date TBD) - BOE Re-Organizational Meeting & Swearing in of newly elected Board Members
For more information on seeking a seat on the School Board, please review the links below from the New York State School Boards Association (NYSSBA) and the Erie County Association of School Boards (ECASB).