Hudson City School District Board of Education Re-Elects Leadership
Willette Jones Continues as President; Mark DePace Remains Vice President
HUDSON, N.Y. (July 10, 2024) – The Hudson City School District Board of Education re-elected member Willette Jones as President during the Board’s annual organizational meeting Tuesday evening. In addition, Mark DePace was re-elected Vice President.
“It is an honor to be selected by my colleagues to serve as president of the Hudson City School District Board of Education,” Jones said. “I look forward to fostering an atmosphere of collaboration and sound financial management with my fellow board members, and continuing to strengthen our district and the academic, social and emotional advancement of our students.”
Members of the Board also swore to, or affirmed, their intention to adhere to a loyalty oath to support the United States and New York State Constitutions. In addition, Tuesday’s meeting marked the first Board session for newly elected member Matthew Mackerer. He and Amanda Grubler, who did not attend the meeting, were elected May 21 to three-year terms. They succeed Selha Graham and Lauren Jones, whose terms concluded on June 30, 2024.
Mackerer, a 2001 Hudson High School graduate, holds degrees from Cornell University and Ithaca College. He is the parent of a current student and has witnessed the school district’s efforts to prepare the next generation. His goal is to leverage his professional knowledge as a Certified Public Accountant to serve the school community, working to increase transparent, effective financial management for the district. His prior Board service includes the Columbia Children’s Center, Columbia County Habitat for Humanity and the Ithaca Public Education Initiative. He looks forward to working with school district administration, staff and families to secure a bright future for students.
When the Board considered nominations for leadership, Mackerer suggested that DePace and Board member Lakia Walker be nominated as Board President and Vice President. He cited their leadership experience and said that the Board, under Jones’ leadership, entertained too many distractions and needed a stronger sense of accountability. DePace thanked Mackerer for his perspective, said all Board members bring different skills to the Board, and expressed faith that the Board could work together for the betterment of the District and community. The vote to confirm Jones’ re-election as Board President was 5-1, with Mackerer voting no. DePace was unanimously re-elected Vice President.
Grubler ran for the school board to use her experience to make a positive impact on the Hudson public schools. She is a mother of two students in the district and has worked in public education for 19 years. Grubler started her work in education teaching middle schoolers in both the Boston and New York City public schools. She taught for eight years before moving into school leadership, serving as a Middle School Director in Brooklyn. She works as the Senior Director of K-8 Academics for a network of charter schools in the Albany and Troy area. In this role, she supports school leaders through the implementation of strong literacy and math curriculum and instruction across six schools that serve over 1,000 students. She holds one Master’s Degree in Education from Harvard University and a second Master’s in School Building and District leadership from Hunter College. Grubler has served as Vice President of the Board of Directors for the Columbia Children’s Center, a non-profit daycare. She is excited to apply her insight as a parent, teacher, leader and regional curriculum and instruction expert to support Hudson’s schools.
In addition, the Board also elected members to several committees, adopted or read a variety of district policies and approved numerous instructional appointments. Learn more by visiting https://go.boarddocs.com/ny/hudsoncsd/Board.nsf/Public. Click on the July 9, 2024 Organizational Meeting Agenda and then click each agenda item for details. View the meeting on the Hudson City School District’s YouTube page at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rRdG7u_79c4.