Stepping Down from the Amityville School Board
Caroline Fanning
July 27, 2025​​
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Why I’m Stepping Down
I’m stepping down for one simple reason—I am not currently able to balance the demands of work, family, and board. My husband and I are the founders and head growers of a community farm in Old Bethpage, and this season has delivered several challenges that require our full attention. My role as trustee, meanwhile, is something I take very seriously. Since July 8, I have not been able to devote the necessary time the job requires. I don’t want to quit—I’ve never quit anything before—but to the extent I can no longer fulfill my obligations as trustee, stepping down is my only choice.
In my departure, I have these observations to share:
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A school board's role is simple, yet easily misunderstood​
School boards have just two responsibilities—to set policy and oversee the superintendent. Up-to-date policies keep districts in compliance with the law and provide a framework for addressing each district’s unique needs. It's the superintendent's job to implement policy, and the board's job to oversee the superintendent.
Despite these clearly-defined roles, from 2020-2024, no policies were updated or adopted, nor were superintendents evaluated. That changed last year, when Trustee Canestro joined the policy committee, and when Trustee Messmann and myself, along with Trustee Canestro, pushed for superintendent evaluations. These efforts were frequently stonewalled and characterized as antagonistic, but we persisted. In the 12 months that Messmann, Canestro, and I served, dozens of policies were updated and the board conducted two superintendent evaluations, plus a mid-year review. We did the job we were elected to do. I hope that momentum is not lost moving forward.
Hiring in Amityville is not always based on merit
In my 12 months of service, the board approved hundreds of appointments, but in far too many cases, decisions were based on insider status and connection, not experience and merit. Three recent examples:
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Last winter, an opening for assistant principal was only advertised internally, in violation of district policy. When the board learned of this months after the fact, there was no palpable concern by central administration or from several trustees. This is the way it’s always been done was the prevailing attitude.
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When Trustee Canestro, Messmann, and I proposed the creation of an administrative hiring committee inclusive of parents and community members—a standard committee in neighboring districts—there was a vehement backlash by union leaders and several trustees. Only inside professionals—i.e. district employees— are qualified to judge was the prevailing attitude.
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The recent search for an interim assistant superintendent of finance yielded two finalists—one with a 20-year tenure at a high performing district, plus recent work a fiscal monitor. The other had a choppy employment history in fiscally stressed districts, but a connection to the superintendent. The latter was approved in a split vote.
Institutions that don’t actively recruit outside talent leave the door wide open to cronyism and corruption. Amityville deserves better than that! I'm proud of the efforts Messmann, Canestro and I made to welcome outsiders. Time will tell if those efforts bear fruit, but I’m encouraged that at the July 23 meeting, a new hiring committee was approved. It’s a step in the right direction.
The superintendent is overcommitted
I’m resigning because I can’t perform two important jobs at once. Our superintendent, meanwhile, is currently the leader of two institutions—the Amityville UFSD and the First Church of Wyandanch Ministries. When the board learned of this dual commitment in October 2024, my first thought was—when forced to choose, who/what/how will she prioritize? The elder on their death bed, or the sophomore facing suspension? The couple in need of counseling, or the administrator in need of feedback? I know from experience you can be physically present but mentally absent, but that’s not fair to the people counting on a fully-invested leader. It’s why I’m stepping down as trustee, and it’s why I continue to be concerned about our district.
Diversity, equity, and inclusion—what does it mean in Amityville?
I enrolled my kids in Amityville because I’m proud of our district’s diversity. I support the research that shows kids thrive when their leaders look like them, I support hiring qualified minority candidates, and I have no problem being the minority myself. That said, I've observed that the current focus on DEI in Amityville is often a cover something else. When demands for fiscal responsbility and hiring integrity are met with accusations of Eurocentrism and racism, people start speaking in code. The centerpiece of that code is a professed commitment to kids, featuring unique definitions of community, transparency, and accountability, but in reality, it's a cover for tribalism, political ambition, and the ability to dole out jobs. None of which put kids at the center.
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I have two kids in this district. I love them as much as any parent can love their kids, and I love their friends, teammates, and classmates as much as any mom can love kids that are not hers. I ran for school board because I want a better school district for all Amityville kids. When voices like mine are shouted down by people speaking in code, it's a step in the wrong direction.
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In Conclusion
The past 12 months have been an arduous but incredible journey. I've learned so much and met many amazing people, and I have no regrets about getting involved, though I have much sadness about leaving. I'll miss the opportunity to work with Anne-Marie Monahan, our new district clerk. Anne-Marie's experience and perspective is exactly what Amityville needs, and I wish her all the best in the days and weeks ahead. I will also miss the opportunity to work with Sarai Mullings and Alliyah McQueen, our new ex officio student board members. Having students at the dais will raise the bar for everyone, and it’s always more fun when kids are around, so I’m feeling some major FOMO right now.
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Lastly, I want to thank
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The Amityville residents who voted for me
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The Amityville teachers, administrators, and staff who engaged with me
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The auditors, accountants, and attorneys who fielded my endless questions
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My farm crew, who picked up my slack
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My family, who forgave my absences
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Mostly importantly, Megan and Wendy, who were brave enough to guide the way. They worked—and continue to work—endless hours against daunting odds to support the students of Amityville. They embody the essence of public service, and I hope others will be inspired to follow their lead, as I was.
So that's it. Thank you for reading, and I welcome feedback however it comes—through email, social media, and word of mouth. We’re stronger when we listen to each other, and I will always be cheering for Amityville's success.
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All the best,
Caroline Fanning
