Our dedicated members

Meet the current Schenectady City School District Educational Foundation members who dedicate time and effort to serve with the organization to support local teachers and students.

Board of Directors

  • Bill grew up in Albany, the son of Joseph and Helen Schultz. His family owned Stackman’s Newsroom where Bill learned the value of hard work. He graduated from Vincentia Institute (1959) and received his BA in History at the College of the Holy Cross (1963) followed by his MAT from Harvard University (1964).

    He married Susan Smith Schultz in 1973 after a brief courtship in the Soviet Union. They have three children and six grandchildren. Laura is an Economist, Christopher works in finance and Michael is a Social Studies teacher. In retirement Sue and he have been trying to satisfy their wanderlust with trips to China, India, Australia and beyond. In their fifty years of wedded bliss they have visited all fifty states and over seventy countries.

    In terms of his professional activities, Bill taught in the Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake School District for 38 years also serving as high school social studies chairperson for 22 years and district social studies chair for 12 years, from 1964 to 2002. He was an adjunct professor in the Union Graduate College Master of Arts in Teaching program for 25 years (1989-2014).

    A believer in the importance of sharing, Bill was very active in professional organizations serving in a variety of offices including the presidency of the following organizations: Capital District Council for the Social studies, Capital District Social Studies Supervisors, the New York State Council for the Social Studies and the New York State Council of Educational Associations. In those positions he dedicated himself to promoting the use of Social Studies to teach reading, writing and research skills, the use of the arts to teach Social Studies, etc.

    He was deeply involved in the New York State adoption of courses in Economics and Participation in Government and the promotion of the arts in education. He also served as a consultant on testing and curriculum with the NYS Department of Education.

    His parents and his teachers strongly encouraged him to become involved with the communities in which he lived. He has been active in Boy Scouts, Study Circles, and the Schenectady High School PTA (served as president). Bill was an active volunteer with the United Way from 1990 to 2004; he chaired review committees on grants for Seniors, Early Childhood Education, Basic Needs, Housing, Health Care, etc. and he was on the steering committees that created the 211 system and the Schenectady County Consortium on Senior Services. Speaking of Senior Services Bill was a member 0f the Schenectady County Advisory Council on Senior and Long Term Care services from 2014 to 2023 (Chairperson 2018-2023).

    Lastly, Bill has served on the Board of Directors for the Schenectady City School District Educational Foundation since 2004 and has served three terms as president overseeing the awarding of about 600 grants to help teachers enrich their students’ learning (total of $500,000).

    Life is good.

  • James L. Masi is currently retired from the Schenectady City School District. Jim is a 1965 graduate of Mont Pleasant High School, SUNY Brockport (BA) and the College of St. Rose (MA). He worked for the Schenectady School District beginning in 1969 as an elementary teacher in Nott Terrace Elementary School. He went on to become Assistant Principal of Steinmetz, King and Mont Pleasant schools. He was the principal at Lincoln, Elmer and Hamilton Schools. He was appointed the first Director of School Safety and then went on to become the Assistant Superintendent for 3 years retiring in 2006. After retirement he worked as a consultant for the District in the areas of Technology and School Safety. He worked for the District for a total of 43 years. Jim and his wife Donna reside in Halfmoon, NY and have two daughters Victoria and Nicole.

    Jim has been a member of the Foundation Board since 2001 serving on many committees, including Grant Allocations, Event Planning and Development. He was elected Board President in 2010 and served in that role for 5 years. He also is a volunteer for the American Diabetes Association Tour de Cure and Proctors Theater.

  • Gordon N. Zuckerman, CLU, ChFC, is President of Murray and Zuckerman, Inc. located in Schenectady, New York. Gordon is a graduate of Hudson Valley Community College, Troy, NY, and Union College, Schenectady, NY, with a B.S. in Chemistry and Mathematics. He served in the Army in Vietnam, and entered the insurance industry in 1970. Gordon and his wife, Linda, live in Niskayuna and have two daughters, Cj and Miriam Smith, and two grandchildren, Devon Ezra and Juliet Morgan.

    For over forty years Mr. Zuckerman has held leadership positions on numerous governmental, religious, professional and charitable organizational boards.

    Current Affiliations

    Schenectady City School District Educational Foundation Inc. – (Founding Chair 1996-2004, Treasurer 2004-Present)

    Niskayuna Fire District #2 -Fire Commissioner and Secretary (1984-Present)

    Hudson Valley Community College Foundation Board – (2003–Present, Current Chair)

    Autism Society of the Capital District (2012-Present, Current President)

  • John Wilson is a 1984 graduate of Linton High School and received a Bachelor of Business Administration in Accounting from Siena College in 1988. John has worked in the construction industry for over seventeen years and is currently a Controller for ARW Drywall Co.

    John has been involved in several community organizations including the past president of the St. John the Evangelist Home School Association, Paige Elementary PTO, treasurer of Schenectady JC Little League for six years, and is a current member of the Friends of Patriot Athletics Board.

    John is married with two children. His wife is a 1987 graduate of Linton High School. One son is a Schenectady High Class of 2013 graduate and the other is attending Schenectady High.

  • Megan has been a library media specialist at Mont Pleasant Middle School since September 2019. She graduated from St John Fisher College in May 2019 with a Bachelor’s in Inclusive Childhood Education and Psychology. In May 2020, she graduated with her Master’s in School Library from St. John Fisher College.

    While at Mont Pleasant, she has led many professional developments on various tools and resources available to SCSD teachers. She has also worked with the Schenectady Bookmobile and as part of the district’s Educational Technology team.

    She is currently the faculty advisor for the Mont Pleasant Middle School Chapter of National Junior Honor Society and the Mont Pleasant Morning Show.

Members

  • Patricia Barney is a Schenectady City School District retiree. After retirement she worked for five years at The Chamber of Schenectady as a coordinator of Leadership Schenectady.

    In addition to serving on The Schenectady City School District Foundation she currently volunteers or sits on the boards of several community organizations: Proctors Guild, Schenectady Rotary, Schenectady County Youth Board, Schenectady Downtown Improvement Corporation and St. Kateri Tekawitha Church.

  • Steve Balogh has been teaching Middle School Social Studies at Mont Pleasant since 2006. Prior to becoming a teacher, he worked several years in the fast-food, hospitality, and health insurance industries. He also served five years in the United States Air Force, stationed in England. He has previously volunteered with Junior Achievement and the Special Olympics. His varied background helps Steve connect the material taught in his lessons with the real world.

    He is a graduate of Columbia High School, HVCC, The College of Saint Rose, and the University of Albany. During his time with the district, he has been a building director for the Schenectady Federation of Teachers, a member of the Mont Pleasant Building Leadership Team, and the school’s Safety Committee. Steve has taken his 8th graders to Washington D.C. for a three-day field trip almost a dozen times. One of his favorite parts of being a teacher is sharing his life stories with his students.

    Steve is the proud father of Sean and Kari. When not in school, Steve enjoys traveling and sharing his passion for flying his drone.

  • Born and raised in Pittsburgh, Tom graduated from the University of Pittsburgh in 1971 and arrived in Schenectady that summer as an intern in the National Teacher Corps. A two-year commitment turned into a 35 year career in the Schenectady City Schools.

    Tom taught English and several electives at Linton and Schenectady High School, served 8 years as the President of the Schenectady Federation of Teachers, became the chair of the English Department and then was named the first K-12 Coordinator of ELA and Library, the position he held when he retired.

    After his retirement he won election to the Schenectady City Council, and then served for 8 years on the Board of Directors of the Schenectady Light Opera Company, two of them as Company President.

    He has long supported the work of the Educational Foundation and is honored to now serve on this Board.

  • Lisa is a Schenectady native, graduating from Linton HS in 1977. She went on to graduate from SUNY Cortland and Russell Sage College. She taught science in Schenectady for 35 years, most of those years at Oneida Middle School, retiring in 2016. During her career she also coached several sports, was a Student Council advisor, was a member of the SCSD Athletic Advisory Committee and ran the Schenectady Academic and Arts Camp and served as the secretary for the Schenectady Youth Hockey Association.

    Lisa is currently a co-house manager at Jack’s Place, a medical hospitality house located in Schenectady, and volunteers at Proctor’s.

  • Brenda is a retired Schenectady City School District Teacher, having taught 8 years with the Elk Lake School District in Pennsylvania and 27 years with Schenectady City Schools. Her background is in Elementary Education and she spent time at Hamilton, Zoller, Howe Magnet and Central Park Magnet K-8.

    After leaving the classroom Brenda was a District-wide Instructional Coach K-12. Schenectady and being a life long learner are very important to her and in retirement she is enjoying being able to continue to work with the wonderful students, families and staff of Schenectady City Schools.

    Brenda is a Wyalusing Valley High School graduate, holds a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education from Lock Haven University of PA and a Master’s in Reading from Bloomsburg University of PA.

    She resides in the city of Schenectady with her husband David and together they have raised two children, Katharine and Beck who are both alumni of Schenectady City Schools. Brenda is active in the Eastern Parkway United Methodist Church Community, SICM and Street Soldiers. She is a passionate fan of the Penn State Nittany Lions and New York Yankees.

  • Agnes is an Albany native and graduate of Albany High School, SUNY Albany and the College of St. Rose.

    She began teaching at Mont Pleasant High School in 1984 teaching biology, chemistry and other science electives before teaching at Schenectady High School.

    Agnes has served as the high school Science Department Chairperson and a number of school committees in addition to coaching the US Department of Energy Science Bowl Team (a competitive annual event sponsored by GE for high school students) for 25 years.

    Agnes received the Summer Teacher Research Fellowship Award from the American Society of Cell Biology in 1993 and 1994, Finalist Teacher of the Year for Schenectady City School District Board of Ed in 2000 and the NY Eastern Section American Chemical Society Outstanding Chemistry Teacher Award in 2009.

    She recently retired from the Schenectady City School District after 33 years of teaching high school biology and chemistry.

    Her hobbies include cooking for her friends and family, gardening, promoting science literacy and STEM education. She resides in Latham with her husband, Bernie and two sons, Nicholas and Alexander.

  • Elaine’s passion, dedication and drive for assisting families with children with disabilities stems from being a mother of a child with a disability. As a mother she advocated for her son’s education; as a result he was the first inclusion student in Schenectady High School.

    Some of her achievements include launching the Challenger Division Baseball League in Schenectady County and serving as PTSO President for five years at Schenectady High School. During this time she started a college application scholarship fund. She designed the Summer Adventure day camp program in conjunction with the City Mission to reduce educational regression for at risk students.

    Elaine was awarded “Parent of the Year” award by Mrs. Cuomo for assisting in finding the funds for after school programs at Living Resources and assisting in finding models for the Medicaid Waiver Program. Elaine also designed and developed a support group in conjunction with OPWDD and Family and Child Services named “Parents as Peers.”

    Working with Schenectady County Community College Elaine paved the way for parents to earn a college credit upon completion of this program. “Parents as Peers” was so successful it was implemented in other agencies and today it is still an active and viable resource being utilized for the many agencies. Elaine has worked for Schenectady City School District for 17 years as the Tutoring Coordinator.

    She is a lifelong resident of Schenectady with her husband Don and her son Donnie. Elaine finds it a pleasure to serve on a board that has always been near and dear to her heart. She thinks it is a privilege and honor to give back to a community and district that has given so much to her and her family.

  • Nicole is a 1994 graduate of Schenectady High School and a 1999 graduate of SUNY Oneonta – where she majored in Interdisciplinary Studies. Upon graduation, Nicole has worked at Anthem for the past 21 years.

    She is very active in her community and is a member of multiple boards, including the following: former Deacon at Woodlawn Reformed Church and Nursery School Administrator, former Woodlawn PTO President, member of CPMS PTO, former Schenectady Little League Board member (14 years), past treasurer of the Schenectady PTO Council, current board member of Rotterdam Boys & Girls Club, volunteer for Schenectady athletics, assistant to the Schenectady CDYBL program and long time basketball coach for the Boys & Girls club.

    Nicole has been married for 20 years and resides in Schenectady. She has 2 children in the Schenectady School District. She enjoys spending time with her family, particularly her 2 boys.

  • Caelynn received a BA in Anthropology from the University of Vermont and an MS in Curriculum Development and Instructional Technology from the University at Albany. With 20 years of progressive responsibility in higher education, she has extensive experience in workforce development and training, faculty development, and instructional design. Caelynn just stepped down as the President of the Continuing Education Association of NY and the regional Workforce Development Board for Saratoga, Warren and Washington Counties.

    Before joining miSci, she was the Dean for Continuing Education and Workforce Innovation at SUNY Adirondack, offering programs and services to students and the greater SUNY Adirondack community including non-credit courses; customized workforce training; teaching & learning support for faculty; special initiatives in K-12 pipeline programs; entrepreneurship and small business support; and events services.

  • Ann M. Reilly is a graduate of Schenectady Schools, as are her husband Donald Liebers, and their four children: Grace, Austin, Henry and Mary.

    A life-long City resident, Ann has volunteered extensively in the community. She served four terms on the Schenectady City School District Board of Education, was on the City of Schenectady Industrial Development Agency Board, and was President of the Friends of the Schenectady Museum (now MiSci). Ann is a lifetime member of GSUSA, and has volunteered locally as a Girl Scout troop leader, trainer, Service Unit Delegate, product sales manager for city troops, and encampment director.

    As a USRowing-trained coach, Ann helped coach modified crew in Schenectady, and served on the board of Schenectady Rowing Club (later SGS Rowing Club) and currently serves on the Aqueduct Rowing Club Board.

    Ann and her husband have volunteered in the city school district for many years, and this is her second time serving on the Educational Foundation Board.

    She and her family enjoy many outdoor activities together, including camping, paddling, hiking, and skiing. In addition, Ann is an avid rower.

  • Jerry Rosen grew up in Schenectady and graduated from Linton High School. Attended the University at Albany where he received his BS and MS degrees. He retired from the Schenectady City School District after 34 years in education.

    During his career he taught biology, coached multiple sports, served on many committees and retired as House Principal at Schenectady High School. Jerry is a member of the SCSD Athletic Hall of Fame committee and the SCSD Hall of Fame committee. He is also a member of the Capital District Men’s Senior Baseball League and the Schenectady Ole Timers Baseball Club.

    Jerry lives in Scotia with his wife, Mary, who is a Mont Pleasant graduate

  • Nancy Sagendorf retired after teaching Science in the Schenectady City School District for 33 years. Nancy taught many different ability levels ranging from Middle School Science to AP/IB High School Biology. She also advised Student Council, Environmental Club, Natures Classroom, NYS Science Honor Society and was a Class Dean.

    In retirement she volunteers for the Mooncatchers Project, the Reading is Fun program, the Animal Shelter of Schoharie Valley and serves on the Board of the Cave House Museum of Mining and Geology.

    Nancy is starting her 43rd season working retail at Howe Caverns Inc.

    She enjoys reading and traveling.

  • Michael Sheridan has been a teacher in the Schenectady City School District since 2006. He was a Grade 6 teacher at Elmer Avenue Elementary School until its closure in 2016. He then became the Instructional Technology/Media Specialist at Oneida Middle School before becoming a districtwide Digital Learning Coach. Passionate about educational technology, he is always looking for a way to bring the latest engaging technology into the classroom to improve learning.

    He is a Google Certified Educator and Trainer, and has led many professional development sessions around the use of technology in the classroom, including the Urban Schools Conference and NERIC’s Tech Awareness Day. He has been the recipient of Educational Foundation grants in the past, most notably a grant to bring over 100 Schenectady girls to MiSci for a “Girls in STEM” experience.

    He is active in the community and has worked to bring literacy to students. Since joining Oneida, he has worked on the team to bring notable authors to the district and organized book clubs involving hundreds of students. He has served on numerous district committees based around technology, literacy and more. He is a member of Oneida’s Building Leadership Team and is on the Policy Board of the Schenectady Teacher Center.

    He is a graduate of Shaker High School, University at Albany and Sage Graduate School. He lives in Latham with his two sons, Liam and Colin. Outside of school, he enjoys reading, traveling, cooking and rooting for the New York Mets.

  • Angela is a 1990 graduate of Mont Pleasant High School attended SCCC and SUNY Brockport. Angela has worked for the Schenectady City School District for over 17 years, mainly for Washington Irving Educational Center. In her roll with the SCSD, she coordinates the Continuing Education Program.

    She has served on the City of Schenectady Affirmative Action Advisory Board and worked on many projects with the Boys Day Out organization. Passionate about planning large events with a focus on unique experiences, she also enjoys creating welcoming spaces for everyone in our school buildings.

    Her three sons are graduates of SCSD and her grandsons attend SCSD.

  • Leanne Vacca is a proud graduate of Schenectady High School’s class of 2003! She has worked for Schenectady City School District since graduating college in 2007. When not working, she enjoys working out, spending time with friends and family, and trying new outdoor activities

    She is extremely excited to join the SCSDEF board to help further support the amazing teachers we have in this district.

  • Dawn Vavala is a graduate of Mont Pleasant High School and Siena College with a BS in Finance. After graduating from Siena, Dawn owned and operated Tuxego of Clifton Park (a tuxedo rental store) for close to 25 years.

    She now owns and operates Nite Owl Marketing which supplies customized clothing and promotional products to businesses, schools, organizations. and various sports teams.

    Dawn is a charter member of the Twin Bridges Rotary club, board member of Gift of Life-Rotary District 7190, board member of Mother Teresa Academy, member of the Schenectady Ole Timers Baseball Club, and Saratoga County Chamber of Commerce.

    Dawn has had a lifelong passion for helping the students of Schenectady realize their potential, and believes that education is the absolute biggest factor in establishing a successful future.

Advisory Board

  • Dr. Raymond Colucciello, long time educator, teacher, principal and Superintendent of Schenectady City Schools as well as Albany and Troy along with several other Interim Superintendent positions.

    Dr. Colucciello received his BA from SUNY Oneonta, Master’s Degree from Columbia University and his Doctorate from SUNY Albany. He has served as a member of the Board of Directors of a number of community organizations. He is an initial member of Foundation Board of Directors and is currently serving as Interim Superintendent of Schools in the Greater Amsterdam School District.

    He is married to Irene Colucciello who is a retired educator. They have four children and seven grandchildren.

  • Philippe was born and raised in Queens NY. He Graduated from Martin Van Buren HS, went on to earn a Bachelor’s Degree from the University At Albany and continued his studies at the University of Phoenix earning a Graduate Degree in Organizational Management. Philippe is a current Schenectady resident for more than 20 years.

    He was Past Treasurer and President for Rotterdam Sunrise Rotary Club and in recognition of support for the Rotary Foundation was awarded Paul Harris Fellow. Married 23 years to his beautiful wife Gina and Father to a 1 son, a recent graduate of Plattsburgh University.

    In his spare time he enjoys camping in the Adirondacks and bicycling tours across the state He is now the Branch Manager for First New York FCU helping members with their financial needs.

  • Fred G. Denefrio, a Niskayuna resident, was born and raised in Schenectady and graduated from Mont Pleasant High School. He went on to earn as AAS from Hudson Valley Community College and his BBA from Hofstra University.

    Fred worked for the Capital District Off Track Betting Corporation as the Senior VP/Controller. He completed his career at the Capital District YMCA Corporation as VP of Finance/CFO. Always active in civic activities, he has served on numerous community boards and non-profits.

    Some of these are: Past President and founding member of the Board of Directors for the Schenectady Local Development Corporation; Past President and Treasurer of the Board for the St. Clare’s Hospital Foundation; Past President of the Board for Catholic Charities of Schenectady County; Past President and Past Rotarian of the Year and Paul arris Fellow for Schenectady Rotary; and Past VP of the Board for the Schenectady County Chamber of Commerce.

  • Gina C. Gould, PhD, has been a museum enthusiast since childhood and is happy in her role as President of miSci. Her love of the environment, the history of Earth, and the objects testify to that history, has shaped her career. After receiving a BS in Zoology from SUNY Oswego, Gould joined the Peace Corps as the Curator of Mammalogy of Paraguay’s national museum. Thereafter, Gould worked for Ralph Appelbaum Associates, the acclaimed museum design firm in NYC until she was awarded a fellowship by the American Museum of Natural History to Columbia University‘s PhD program in earth and environmental sciences. Since then, Gould has pursued a career in developing science exhibitions for museums nationwide.

    An Associate Research Professor in the Center for Environmental Sciences and Engineering at the University of Connecticut and the Education Department at Clarkson University, Gould brings to the Educational Foundation her love of science, her passion for telling stories through immersive hand-on STEAM exhibitions, her executive experience and commitment to employing best practices to, and her successes in building community around science education.

  • Haley Viccaro is Director of Communications for New York State Lieutenant Governor Kathy Hochul. She previously worked at the New York Conference of Mayors, and was a reporter for the Daily Gazette of Schenectady covering City Hall, state government, business and development.

    Haley also serves on the Board of Directors of the Schenectady Greenmarket, and is a member of the Schenectady East Rotary. Haley graduated from the University at Albany and lives in the City of Schenectady.

Not Pictured:

Carmella Parente
Joanne Wolcott