On Tuesday, May 19, the community will vote on the district’s proposed spending plan for the 2026-27 school year. They will also elect two candidates to serve on the board of education for three-year terms beginning July 1, 2026.
The Duanesburg Community PTA (DCPTA) will once again host “Meet the Candidates” night to give the community an opportunity to hear from candidates running for open seats on the district’s Board of Education. “Meet the Candidates” will take place at 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, May 12 in Joe Bena Hall at the Duanesburg Jr.-Sr. High School.
Board members whose terms are expiring this year include Toni Amorosi and Alyssa Craig.
Five community members turned in petitions to run for the two open Board of Education seats by the April 20 deadline. This is the order in which the candidates will appear on the ballot:
Joshua Obercon
Joshua Obercon of Duanesburg is running as a first-time candidate. A graduate of Duanesburg High School, he went on to attend SUNY Plattsburgh, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts in political science, with a concentration in law and a cognate in physical education. Obercon is currently a full-time father to a young daughter who attends a pre-K program and will enroll in Duanesburg schools when she is eligible.
Obercon has been active with the Duanesburg Basketball Association for 23 years and has served with the Duanesburg Ambulance for three years. He currently serves as the Director of the Duanesburg Basketball Association.
I am a candidate for the Duanesburg BOE because: As a Duanesburg alumnus and current parent of a future student, I very much care about this community and our school. I am passionate about the success and happiness of all our students. Last year I started a leadership scholarship to give back to our basketball programs that meant a lot to me growing up. Next year, I’m leveraging that scholarship to help end school bullying through peer mediation.
Toni Amorosi
Toni Amorosi of Delanson is running for her third consecutive term as a member of the Board of Education. She has previously served two three-year terms. She is a graduate of Schalmont High School, SUNY Potsdam and the University at Albany. Amorosi is a retired teacher from the Duanesburg School District. She has two adult children who graduated from Duanesburg in 2009 and 2011.
I am a candidate for the Duanesburg BOE because: Duanesburg School District has been a very important part of my life for almost 50 years. I hope to continue to be a positive contributor to the education of the children in our community.
Craig Macherone
Craig Macherone of Duanesburg is running as a first-time candidate for the Board. He is a graduate of Scotia-Glenville High School and attended Schenectady County Community College and HVCC. Macherone is currently employed by the City of Schenectady Fire Department and has been a professional firefighter for 23 years. He is also a small business owner. Macherone is a 45-year old married father of two children; one son who graduated from DCS and a daughter who is currently in fifth grade at DCS.
His community service includes having volunteered for Career Fairs at both Duanesburg Jr.-Sr. High School and DES; serving on the selection committee for DES’ recent principal search; and as an executive board member for the Schenectady County Independence Party for 12 years. He served as the president of his professional union – the Schenectady Permanent Firemen’s Association (SPFA) – for six years and as the recording secretary for 10 years.
I am a candidate for the Duanesburg BOE because: As a candidate for the Duanesburg school board, I am committed to fostering academic excellence while ensuring fiscal responsibility. Our schools are the heart of this community, and I will work to support our teachers, enhance student programs, and maintain transparent communication with taxpayers. By prioritizing both innovation and tradition we can prepare every student for a successful future.
Brandon Bailey
Brandon Bailey of Delanson is running for his first term as a board member. He is a graduate of Galway Central School and studied criminal justice at Schenectady County Community College. He currently works as a court officer for the NYS Office of Court Administration. Bailey is a U.S. Air Force veteran, having served six years, and is now in his thirteenth year in law enforcement as a New York State Court Officer. He previously volunteered with the Delanson Fire Company and has volunteered for two years with the Duanesburg Little League.
I am a candidate for the Duanesburg BOE because: I believe there is a need for change in leadership. Everyone needs to be held accountable for the roles they plan in our students’ success and well being. Our budgets need to be fiscally responsible based on our district’s size and balanced between appropriate resource funding and student success. The school needs to be more transparent and involved with parents, especially in areas concerning behavior.
Dana Mesick
Dana Mesick of Delanson is running for his first term as a board of education member. He is currently employed by Crescent Creamery. He has been a member of the Delanson Planning Board for four years.
I am a candidate for the Duanesburg BOE because: As a member of the local community and father of four DCS alumni, I feel that leading with transparency is paramount to DCS students, teachers, and parents alike. Trust and consistent performance should be a minimum standard for public servants within this community. My primary goal for this board would be to establish and maintain cooperative and cohesive community relationships while abstaining from divisive behaviors.