3 Vie for 2 Chappaqua School Board Seats

The Chappaqua Central School District Board of Education will have a contested election year, as three candidates are running for the two seats that are up for votes.

Incumbent Jeffrey Mester, are being undecided earlier this year, has opted to run for a third, 3-year term on the board.

“I am running for the same reason I ran the first two times I ran,” Mester, a Chappaqua resident, wrote to Patch. “I strongly believe in both education as a cause and helping the community as needed.  I think my experience and knowledge can best help the district continue to strive for academic excellence while remaining fiscally responsible.”

Mester’s time on the board has included school years as president or vice president.

The other seat that is up is one currently held by Randall Katchis, who has declined to seek another term.

The two newcomers are Warren Messner and Frederick Stein, both Chappaqua residents. Each cited serving the public as reasons for running.

Messner, reached for comment, said that he wanted to “serve the community” and to give back. A father of three kids in the district, Messner is retired and said that he attends board meeting. He grew up in Thornwood and his extended family had a presence in Chappaqua going back decades.

Frederick Stein is unique, as he is running for both school board and the Chappaqua Library’s board, which he learned is allowed. Asked why he is running for both offices, Stein, who is also retired, wants to volunteer and have the opportunity to “serve some place.”

Chappaqua school district Clerk Theresa Markley, who handles school board and library board elections, was asked about the scenario and replied that she cannot recall a person running for both boards.

Stein’s background is unique in another way, as he does not have any children in the district, nor did he ever have any enrolled. Currently, all of the school board members are parents with kids enrolled. He has also volunteered with several organizations, including the Red Cross - he said that he was a shelter manager at Chappaqua Crossing when it was used as a post-Sandy shelter - and with Westchester County's animal response team.

The school board elections are on May 21, the same day as when voters will decide on the district’s proposed 2013-14 budget. The races work on an at-large system, where the top overall vote getters, in descending order, win each available seat. Since there are two available, the highest and second-highest vote getters will win.