Jambor in Running for Board of Regents Position
In the search for a new member to join the Board of Regents, state representatives interviewed the only Putnam County resident vying for the position: Brewster Board of Education president Stephen Jambor.
New York State Assembly members publicly interviewed Jambor Friday morning at Greenburgh Town Hall in Westchester County. He’s one of several candidates from the Lower Hudson Valley hoping to replace retiring regents Harry Philips. If selected as a Board of Regents delegate, Jambor would have to resign as a Brewster school board member.
Jambor was interviewed for roughly 45 minutes, quizzed on numerous topics by the mostly Democratic panel ranging from Common Core, the teacher evaluation system, charter schools, state aid for schools, and inequality in public schools. The interview was not part of the formal vetting process and just a screening of possible candidates.
Because he has always been involved in education, it was only natural Jambor would seek a regents position. He’s been a college professor for 40 years, a direct service provider for 35 years, and a board member for 15 years.
“But there’s also a frustration as you know with how things are proceeding these days in the education system of New
York,” Jambor said. “And while I’ve tried to advocate in my current role as a board person, I’m looking for a little bit more of a voice now.”
Jambor said the interview process has been “well-thought out” and the people in charge of crafting questions for candidates have been able to identify pressing issues facing education in New York.
Assemblywoman Sandy Galef, who represents part of Northern Westchester and Putnam, said after the forum, assembly and senate members collaborated on which questions were most significant for candidates in a time where education continues to change rapidly.
“Being a member of the Board of Regents is a very, very, important role,” Galef said. “Given the highest interest in education particularly right now as there are so many changes, it’s even more significant today.”
Assemblyman Tom Abinanti said this is the first time he can remember a delegation has held a pre-screening process and believes it has brought forward “supreme candidates.”
“We have excellent candidates so far all of whom would be a very good addition to the Board of Regents,” he said. “What I’m looking for exhibits that he or she understands the needs of the different schools in our district, very diverse schools and will be able to articulate those needs to a Board of Regents and an educational establishment in Albany that refuses to communicate with local school districts.”
The Lower Hudson Valley regent represents Putnam, Westchester, Rockland, and Dutchess counties. The board is comprised of 17 members elected by the state legislature for five-year terms. There is one from 13 different judicial districts and four members who serve at- large.
Jambor, who also serves as the vice president of the Northern Westchester/ Putnam BOCES school board has worked with more than 50 different districts in the region, giving him a good idea of what the area needs. The regents are responsible for the general overview of all educational activities in New York that include the SUNY system and state education department.
Members are not paid unless it’s for travel or other expenses connected to their official duty.
Philips, the outgoing regents from the area, has served since 2000. A new regent wouldn’t be selected until March when a decision must be made and the formal interview process is completed.
“I think I know what makes a valid educational system, I’m not afraid of statistics and research, I teach those courses,” Jambor said. “And my biggest, strongest skill is I know how to work with people.”
