May 12: Board Candidate Forum at 6 p.m.
Board of Education Candidate Forum
May 12, 2025 at 6:00 p.m.
The Candidate Forum will be held at the District Administration Building located at 430 W. Washington Ave. in Elmira, NY
Board Member Election
A total of (4) seats are to be filled at the election on May 20, 2025. Three seats are for three-year terms, which will run from July 1, 2025 to June 30, 2028. One seat is for a one-year term and the term will end on June 30, 2026.
Elmira City School District residents interested in seeking a seat on the Board of Education may pick up information packets and petitions from the District Clerk at the Administrative Offices located at 430 W. Washington Ave in Elmira, NY.
New board members are required to attend the New York State School Boards Association’s (NYSSBA) conference. To learn more about roles and responsibilities of a dedicated board member,
view or download the Board of Education Guide to Commitment>>
Please see candidate profiles listed below:
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Caranell Parks
Education Summary:
Corning Community College, majored in Business Management
University of Phoenix, Associate’s Degree in Business
Career Summary:
Worked at Corning, Inc. for 30 years. I started in 1989 at the Pressware Plant. I worked in several facilities during that time. I ended up staying at Pressware which is currently called Corell Brands. I was training coordinator for trades and managed the trade department.
Why I want to Serve on the Board of Education:
“I am invested in this city, and I want to see our community prosper from the work of their hands making it a better place.” |
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Ruth Bruning
Education Summary:
B.A. Principia College, Illinois (Music; Elementary Education)
M.A. New York University (Elementary Music Education)
Additional graduate work St. Thomas University, Hamline University, Westminster Choir College, SUNY Potsdam
Career Summary:
•Elmira School Board Member July, 2019 through June, 2025
•Currently an Executive Board Member with The Cantata Singers and Corning Painted Post Civic Music
•Vocal Music Teacher, K-6, Elmira City School District, retired (41 years)
•Served at various times on building and district committees including Building Planning; Professional Development; Technology; Report Cards; Building Renovation
•Treasurer for Fassett Parent Faculty Organization (PFO)
Why I want to Serve on the Board of Education:
"I am grateful for the opportunity to serve the students, staff and community as a Board Member these past six years. I support the many initiatives staff and students are taking to prepare Elmira graduates for success…ready for careers and college. As chair of the Audit and Finance Committee, I have been part of the discussions leading to wise, fiscally responsible decisions. There are exciting things happening in Elmira. I look forward to continuing to serve on the Board." |
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Kyle Cundy
Education Summary:
Kyle graduated from Horseheads High School in 2004 and received her Bachelor's Degree from Lesley University in Cambridge, MA in 2009. She also holds Certificates in Continued Education from Cornell and Northwestern.
Career Summary:
Kyle is currently the VP of Sales at Civitech. She has worked in tech sales for over a decade, supporting nonprofit and advocacy organizations in their fundraising and missions. She is also a long-time dedicated volunteer for Girls on the Run of the Southern Tier, a nonprofit that promotes leadership and physical activity in Elementary aged girls, having coached for 8 years now between Elmira and Horseheads.
Why I want to Serve on the Board of Education:
"Educational resources are the foundation of strong communities and brighter futures for our families. I am deeply grateful for the education I received growing up and the profound impact it had on my life. My goal is to ensure that all students have the resources they need to succeed, teachers have the support to maintain safe and productive classrooms, and administrators have the tools to retain top talent in our district. With a background in nonprofit fundraising and leadership experience in my career, I bring the skills necessary to serve effectively on the board. I am committed to building coalitions and working collaboratively to strengthen our schools at every level."
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Gerald Delaney
Education Summary:
Southside High School Graduate, 2004
Mansfield University, Degree in Political Science
Career Summary:
I have worked in banking, manufacturing, healthcare, and education. The last ten years of my career has been in operational resilience and crisis management.
Why I want to Serve on the Board of Education:
“I grew up in this District and my daughter currently attends here. I think it’s important for parents to have a voice to ask hard questions and drive accountability and communication. I have experience doing both professionally. I hope my experience can serve the parents, and more importantly the kids, of this District.” |
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Julie Wray
Education Summary:
AS, Liberal Arts
Corning Community College
30 hours towards BS, Liberal Arts
Major: Writing and Psychology
Cazenovia College
Career Summary:
"My career has been an interesting and diverse experience. I have worked as an Executive Secretary to the Sales and Marketing group in Houston, Texas; I then worked as a legal secretary in the Warren County District Attorney's Office in Warren, Pennsylvania; upon my turn to my home state, I finished out my career at Corning Community College, starting in the Admissions Office before promotion to the position as Administrative Assistant to the Vice President and Dean of Academic Affairs. After 25 years of service, I retired from CCC in 2012."
Why I want to Serve on the Board of Education:
“Having worked most of my life in education and having served on the ECSD Board of Education for the past five years, I feel like I have more work to do. I am invested in education, and more importantly to the education of our future leaders. Children are our most precious asset, and my goal is to assist in the process of building their character to point them in the direction of a successful and productive life in our society. I am proud of the work being done by the entire staff of the ECSD in this endeavor and feel honored that the people in this community have put their trust in me to represent them fairly and objectively.” |
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Josh Palmer
Education Summary:
Elmira Southside High School
Mansfield University Bachelor’s of Education
Career Summary:
History Teacher – Elmira City School District
Swans & Sons Morss Co. Inc. – (2005- Present) – President
Why I want to Serve on the Board of Education:
“As a board member for the last 9 years, I have been fortunate to collaborate with our districts staff, leadership, board, and community to help usher in a new era of stability and growth across our district. Whether it be the district wide facilities upgrade, the continued evolution of our community schools’ model, the strengthening of community partnerships or the solid fiscal foundation that our district currently rest on; the Elmira City School District is in a far better position than it was a decade ago. As to not rest on our past growth and success; I am excited to potentially have an opportunity continue to play a small role in the future initiatives that our district leadership has shared and that our students and families deserve.” |
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Eric Gergel
Education Summary:
Graduate of Horseheads High School
Associate of Arts, Corning Community College
Dual Bachelor’s Degrees in Education and History, Elmira College
Completed all credit hours for a Master’s in Special Education, Mansfield University
Career Summary:
With 18 years of experience in the banking industry, I have managed branches across Upstate New York. I currently serve as a Commercial Lender.
Why I want to Serve on the Board of Education:
“As a parent of a student in the Elmira City School District, I believe it’s important for the Board to include the voice of a parent. I aim to represent the interests of all parents and students.”
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