CANANDAIGUA — Besides deciding on a school budget for 2026-27, Canandaigua Central School District residents will be asked to vote for two candidates running for two open seats on the Board of Education.
The vote is 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. May 19.
Who’s running for Canandaigua school board?
Candidates Amy Hall and Amber Valvano are looking to succeed incumbents Amy Calabrese and Jeanie Grimm, who is school board president.
The seats carry five-year terms.
Where to vote in the Canandaigua school board election
Vote at the Canandaigua Primary-Elementary School Link Gymnasium, 90 W. Gibson St., Canandaigua, if you live in the city of Canandaigua; town of Canandaigua in voting districts 1, 2 and 3; and towns of East Bloomfield, Farmington, Gorham and Hopewell.
Vote at the Cheshire Fire Hall, 5439 state Route 5, Canandaigua, if you live in the town of Canandaigua in voting districts 4, 5, 6 and 7; and the towns of Bristol and South Bristol.
For more information, visit www.canandaiguaschools.org/district/budget.
Meet the Canandaigua school board candidates
Amy Hall
Amy Hall is vice president for advancement and communications at Ronald McDonald House in Rochester and a career nonprofit fundraiser with extensive experience in grant writing and working with state agencies on funding, compliance and reporting. She also serves as the facilitator for the Grant Writers Network of Rochester.
Hall has been a member of the Canandaigua PTSA since 2020 and is currently serving as secretary, with her term ending July 1. She is involved in district and school community events, including welcoming new families, supporting teacher and staff appreciation efforts, volunteering backstage for the Canandaigua Middle School musical, and serving as a registered volunteer with Girl Scout Troop 60165. She also participated in the district’s Student Electronic Device Committee.
Hall, a graduate of Xavier University in Cincinnati, and her family have lived in the Canandaigua City School District for nearly 16 years and live in the town of Canandaigua. She and her husband have two children who attend Canandaigua Middle School.
What is the main issue facing your school district and how would you seek to address it if elected?
“I think one of the biggest issues facing the Canandaigua City School District is finances, especially with rising costs for utilities, supplies and health insurance. As a career nonprofit fundraiser, I have extensive experience working with lean budgets, state regulations and government grants and funding. If elected, I hope to bring this experience to the Canandaigua City School District so we can continue to achieve our mission of creating enriched, world-class educational experiences that engage all learners, foster meaningful exploration, and empower our school community to have their voices heard – and do so in an economically responsible manner.”
Amber Valvano
Amber Valvano is a 2006 graduate of Canandaigua Academy who attended the University of Rochester and received her doctor of pharmacy degree from St. John Fisher University’s Wegmans School of Pharmacy.
Valvano has worked for Wegmans for 19 years, previously as a pharmacy area manager and currently as a marketing manager.
Valvano has participated in the Primary-Elementary School Improvement Planning Team for two years. She is a catechist at St. Mary Catholic Church in Canandaigua, where she has taught prekindergarten and second-grade faith formation, as well as first penance and first Communion preparation. She also served on the church’s hospitality committee and helped with the GIFT program.
Valvano and her husband, Matthew, have three children who all attend Canandaigua schools; twin boys in the third grade and a daughter in universal prekindergarten.
What is the main issue facing your school district and how would you seek to address it if elected?
“Student mental health is one of the most urgent challenges facing our schools today. Rising anxiety, depression and behavioral struggles … driven in part by social media and changing family dynamics — are affecting children at younger ages than ever before.
“At a recent four-county meeting, the Wellness Workforce Collaborative highlighted the critical shortage of school-based mental health professionals and the need to build a stronger pipeline. We should be partnering with efforts like this to increase access to counselors, social workers and psychologists in our schools.
“At the same time, we must invest in prevention. Expanding age-appropriate stress management, emotional regulation, and mindfulness programs can equip students with lifelong tools.
“My goal in serving on the Board of Education is to help ensure student mental health remains a consistent priority, supported by thoughtful planning, strong partnerships and a focus on the well-being of our entire school community.”
This article originally appeared on Rochester Democrat and Chronicle: Who’s running for Canandaigua school board and what candidates say
Reporting by Mike Murphy, Rochester Democrat and Chronicle / Rochester Democrat and Chronicle
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
