Board Candidates
PTSA Council Meet the Candidates Night will take place on Tuesday, May 13th at approximately 7:00 p.m. (following the Annual Budget Hearing at 6:00 p.m.). Individuals can submit questions for candidates here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSei7dzYOiMTHDTkqXm0inPYAjM223mAKh6uSrgb-8faMP9mWQ/viewform?usp=preview
Candidate Information
1A - Julie Emerson
Occupation: Real Estate Professional
Children and school they attend: Elizabeth Emerson - Transit Middle School; Shepard Emerson- Country Parkway Elementary
Interests/hobbies: Health/Nutrition, Sports, and Hiking
Favorite quote or philosophy: Love yourself, to love the world better.
Why are you seeking election or re-election: I am realizing the academic years with my children are fleeting. And I would never look back and regret serving in one of the most important aspects of our lives. Volunteering for anything is always time spent well. And I am looking forward to spending my time learning the needs of the district. And helping make lasting improvements for all of the district's teachers, staff, parents, and most importantly for the children.
2A - Mark A. Manna (i)
Occupation: Labor contract negotiator and Pension Trustee
Children and school they attend: Step-Children Michael and Annalise W-North 2019 & 2021
Community Involvement: Buffalo 5/14 Survivors Fund, Good Government Club of WNY, Buffalo Area Labor Federation
Interests/hobbies: Travel, Cooking, and Gardening
Favorite quote or philosophy: It's not the critic that counts
Why are you seeking election or re-election: In my first term on the BOE, I have worked to keep Williamsville as the finest school district in WNY. I have worked to increase modified sports opportunities, developed responsible budgets and have formed positive relationships with parents, teachers, students and staff. In my next term, I will work on banning the use of electronic devices during the school day and maintaining the level of educational and extracurricular offerings that students deserve.
3A - Philip G. Danielson
Occupation: Lead Project Manager at KeyBank
Children and school they attend: Emma - Williamsville North (2022), Isla - 7th grade at Casey Middle School
Community Involvement: Friends Feeding Friends, Buffalo, NY – Volunteer (2022-present), Good News Global at Niagara County Correctional Facility (2023- present)
Interests/hobbies: Family, outdoors, hiking, reading, music, cross-country skiing, and motorcycling
Favorite quote or philosophy: Work hard. Hang onto Jesus. Every day is precious. Life is short.
Why are you seeking election or re-election: I want to serve my community. In response to the hundreds of doors I knocked on last year, and the community’s majority concern with the morality being taught, boys competing in girls’ sports, and DEI, I will advocate for a conservative and traditional perspective. I will encourage excellence in curriculum that teaches what is True and Good. I will use my project management skills to steward the budget. I will oversee the district and superintendent.
4A - Stuart M. Bulan (i)
Occupation/Education: History Teacher, Hutch Tech, City of Buffalo
BA in Political Science from Syracuse University 1993
Masters in Education from University of Buffalo 2002
Children and school they attend: David Bulan - North High School Life Skills Program 2024, Emily Bulan Casey Middle 2013 graduated from Buffalo Seminary 2017
Community Involvement: AYB - Basketball Coach (2012 - 2018) Unified Basketball Coach Hutch Tech (2018, 2025)
Interests/hobbies: Golf, Travel, Politics and Reading
Favorite quote or philosophy: The walk of a thousand steps starts with one.
Why are you seeking election or re-election: I am seeking re-election to the Board of Education to make a positive difference. I am uniquely qualified as a teacher of 27 years, special ed parent, and Williamsville resident. I hope to help all students reach their potential. I want to make sure all students and teachers can be successful in their classroom.
5A - Christina Bleckinger (i)
Occupation/Education: AVP, Healthcare Sales Consultant; University at Buffalo, Bachelor of Science – Accounting and Computer Science
Children and school they attend: Henry Noe, Mill Middle
Community Involvement:
- Executive Director of School Wellness Awareness Project (SWAP) (2015-current)
- Board Member – Glen Park Joint Board (2022-current)
- Wellness Committee (2022-current)
- Williamsville Education Foundation (2022-current)
- Green Ribbon School Committee (2022-current)
- Policy Committee (2022-current)
- New York State School Boards Association Convention Delegate (2022-current)
- Advocacy Liaison/Representative (2022-current)
Interests/hobbies: Yoga, tennis/pickleball, and traveling with family and friends
Favorite quote or philosophy: “To keep the body in good health is a duty…otherwise we shall not be able to keep our mind strong and clear.” - Buddha
Why are you seeking election or re-election: I am running for a second term on the school board because I remain deeply committed to supporting the health and wellness of our entire school community. In recent years, we’ve seen how important it is to prioritize mental wellness, encourage healthy food choices, advocate for programs and policies that nurture the whole child, give students a voice, and support our educators in meaningful, sustainable ways. There’s still more to do, and I’d be honored to continue this work.
Informational Candidate Video
Meet the Candidates Night
Information from Erie County Association of School Boards (ECASB)
ECASB - Prospective School Board Member Workshop 2025
*ECASB - June 2025 - Mandated Trainings for Newly Elected Board of Education Members
June 3rd Governance Training – Part 1, 6:00– 8:00 PM, B1, B-2b
June 7th Governance Training – Part II, 8:00 AM–Noon, B1, B-2b
June 24th Fiscal Oversight Training Part I, 6:00-8:00 PM, B-2a, B-2b
June 28th Fiscal Oversight Training Part II, 8:00 AM-Noon, B-2a, B-2b
*Must be able to attend all trainings at ECASB.
Information from New York State School Boards Association (NYSSBA)
- NYSSBA Running for School Board
- New York State School Board Association Running for the School Board link (includes English and Spanish versions of 2025 Running for the School Board brochures)
- Click HERE for New York State School Boards Association - The School Board Member Experience
Additional Information
Three positions will be available, with the candidates having the three highest number of votes to each serve a term of three (3) years beginning on July 1, 2025 and continuing through June 30, 2028. There is no monetary compensation for serving on the WCSD Board of Education, however, you must take a sworn oath of office that you will faithfully discharge the duties for the Williamsville Central School District according to the best of your ability.
New York State Law requires newly-elected school board members to take mandatory training within their first year of service. This training requires topics on the essentials of school board governance and a minimum of six hours in fiscal oversight, accountability and fiduciary responsibilities of a school board member.
Candidate information will be available prior to the 2025 Annual Vote.
The Board candidate packet is available for pick up at District Office and also available in the attached March 11th agenda item click HERE.
Please contact the District Clerk, Lynn Carey, LCarey@Williamsvillek12.org, 716-626-8092 to coordinate the review of the candidate packet.