Your Letters: In Support of the SBNC Slate

Here are letters in support of Omer Wiczyk and Kevin Ziegler for Scarsdale School Board. The election is on May 19, 2026.

(From the SBNC Chair and Vice Chair)

School Board Nominating Committee (SBNC) plays an integral role in shaping the excellence of the Scarsdale Schools

As current leadership Chairpeople of the Scarsdale School Board Nominating Committee (SBNC), we wanted to express to the community the true mandate and value that SBNC brings to Scarsdale with its non-partisan approach to candidate selection for the Board of Education trustees (BOE).

As a group totaling 30 individuals elected from all 5 neighborhoods serving staggered 3-year terms, the SBNC plays an integral role in shaping the excellence of Scarsdale schools through recruiting, vetting, and selecting the most qualified nominees for the BOE from amongst a pool of candidates self-selecting to choose to come before this committee. This includes a rigorous process that starts with an open call to the public encouraging all eligible community members to consider applying to the SBNC for consideration. Candidates then present to the SBNC, expressing their motivations, relevant experience, background, and skills through a three-part method of presentation, differentiated questions unique to each candidate, and finally any additional follow up clarification questions. The SBNC carefully vets all candidates in confidential, respectful, and thorough deliberations. The committee conducts thorough interviews with multiple references for each candidate by committee members in pairs, ensuring parity, accuracy, and confidentiality in this due diligence. By offering candidates a confidential evaluative forum, the non-partisan system can foster greater participation. Each candidate knows that their full application is given consideration. Decisions made to suggest slated names for a limited number of open seats is one of the most challenging aspects for SBNC members, but ultimately, as per the SBNC Resolution, the slate can only put forth to the Scarsdale Community the exact number of candidates as there are BOE seats open for election. This means that in any given year, there can be strong candidates that do not get chosen because SBNC has determined that different candidates make the most sense with the composition of the current BOE.

Below are characteristics that the New York State School Boards Association provides as guidance for evaluating effective board members:

Effective Communicator: Can describe what he or she wants and describe what others want; a good listener

Consensus Builder: Capable of working toward decisions that all can support and willing to compromise to achieve goals

Community Participant: Enjoys meeting a variety of people, can identify the community’s key communicators and reaches out to the community

Decision Maker: Is comfortable making decisions and can support group decision-making

Information Processor: Can organize priorities and schedules to handle large amounts of verbal and written information

Leader: Willing to take risks, be supportive of board colleagues, district staff and community

Team Player: Helps promote the board’s vision and goals

Noticeably missing from this criteria framework is a background based on certain professions or prerequisites around prior experience with and active engagement in the School District. In fact, limiting the pool of candidates to only those that fit this specific background prioritization would significantly hinder the robust composition of the Scarsdale School Board which is meant to be a balanced collaboration of trustees representing many stakeholders in the entirety of the Scarsdale Village.

SBNC has always highly prioritized PTA/PTC experience on our BOE trustees, as demonstrated by its nominations of Suzie Hahn and Colleen Brown in 2022 and again in 2025, Leah Dembitzer in 2024, and Laura Liu in 2025. With Amber Yusuf ending her 6th year as BOE member, this perspective has clearly been and will be well represented on our Scarsdale Board of Education for many years and will be for many more into the future. This is not, however, the only priority.

As SBNC deliberations are confidential, neither the discussions nor the reasons for the decisions are made public. However, year after year this staggered-term committee with new members each session represents a range of views to enhance discussion of and deliberation about the merits of each candidate, both as an individual and as a potential member joining an existing body of trustees already serving on the BOE. Beyond first-hand experience hearing from the candidates, SBNC members also speak to others in the community to learn about the nominees and identify candidates that are the best fit for the board in a given year. This additional level of due diligence is often absent from election campaigns. This provides critical, confidential insight into candidates from people who know and have worked with the candidates. The Scarsdale community should have confidence that the two candidates SBNC selected to run for the BOE will represent all constituents and uphold the responsibility of being stewards of the excellence of the Scarsdale Schools.

We encourage you to learn more about all the candidates and think about the current composition of the BOE and vote on Tuesday, May 19th at Scarsdale Middle School between 7am – 9pm.

Jenny Simon Tabak and Jennifer Zola
26 Myrtledale Road and 12 Carstensen Road
SBNC 2025-26 Chair and Vice Chair

(From Amanda Zaitchik)

As a longtime member of the Fox Meadow community, I have had the opportunity to volunteer across all three levels of our school system. I’ve served multiple terms on the executive boards of the Fox Meadow PTA and Scarsdale Middle School, and I currently assist with hospitality at Scarsdale High School. In these roles, I work closely with educators, administrators, and parents who care deeply about our schools and our community.

This year, Fox Meadow elected me to serve on the School Board Nominating Committee. I took that responsibility seriously. What stood out most throughout the process was the thoughtfulness and diligence of the committee itself. Thirty residents from across the community, most of whom had not previously met, came together with one shared goal: identifying the strongest possible candidates to serve our schools.

The process was extensive and thorough. Candidates participated in multiple rounds of interviews and questioning. References were carefully reviewed, including both those provided by candidates and others identified independently to ensure a broad range of perspectives. Each individual was evaluated using the New York State School Boards Association’s identified characteristics of effective board members, while also considering the current composition and needs of the Board of Education. It was deliberate and, at times, challenging work.

At the conclusion of that process, the committee reached a clear and confident decision to nominate Kevin Ziegler and Omer Wiczyk.

Kevin and Omer each bring distinct personal and professional experiences that complement the current Board. They are active listeners who ask thoughtful questions, value academic achievement, and work collaboratively across differing viewpoints. They are engaged, measured, and committed to serving the district in a thoughtful and constructive way. Based on my direct participation in the SBNC process, I strongly support their election as Trustees to the Board of Education.

For decades, Scarsdale has entrusted community volunteers through the SBNC process with the responsibility of carefully vetting and selecting candidates for the Board of Education. While no process is perfect, this nonpartisan system has served our district well by prioritizing thoughtful evaluation over campaigning and helping to minimize the division, expense, and politics that can distract from the real work of supporting our schools while strengthening our community.

I encourage residents to support that process and to vote for Kevin Ziegler and Omer Wiczyk on May 19.

Sincerely,
Amanda Zaitchik
Fox Meadow Resident and SBNC Member

(From Jennifer Kahan)

Dear Neighbor,

I write to enthusiastically endorse the School Board Nominating Committee (SBNC) selected candidates, Kevin Ziegler and Omer Wiczyk and I encourage you to vote for them on Tuesday, May 19 at SMS from 7am-9 pm. I urge you to take this election seriously.

The SBNC is a community-elected, nonpartisan, 30-person Committee representing each of our five elementary school neighborhoods, that has an important and respected 96-year-old history in Scarsdale. I currently have the honor to serve on this committee.

Scarsdale voters have a history of supporting SBNC’s nominated Board of Education candidates because this system prioritizes qualifications, temperament, and a commitment to community over politics or popularity.

When I joined the SBNC this year, I took on my role with integrity and focus. The SBNC utilizes guidelines recommended by the NYS School Boards Association (NYSSBA) in assessing candidates, as well as reviewing the current composition of the Scarsdale BOE. The SBNC undertakes a detailed and thorough vetting process of all candidates who run before our committee, and partake in extensive due diligence interviews with references as well as listen to candidate presentations and their answering of questions.

A review of our current Board indicated a need for greater diversity of professional and civic skill sets, and community representation. A vote for Kevin and Omer collectively ensures that the Board will be gaining two Scarsdale parents with combined civic and professional expertise in the fields of law, finance, corporate executive leadership, public relations, civil rights, athletics, communications, negotiations and grant allocation. These are vital gains for our Board, especially now.

Kevin holds an MBA and as a Corporate Executive, currently oversees a global team across multiple offices and is accountable for high-stakes negotiations with substantial value. Prior to this, Kevin worked for a decade in public relations, including in roles in media and crisis management. Kevin also has extensive civic board experience. He served for five years on an appointed committee for the allocation of millions of dollars annually of federal grant dollars to a combination of community agencies and infrastructure priorities.

Omer has practiced law dedicated to the public sector for the past 20 years as a prosecutor in New York City and now at the Brandeis Law Center, which focuses on education and civil rights. Omer has been active in the community, serving as Chair of the Citizens’ Nominating Committee and as President of the Scarsdale Forum. Much of his work has been in group settings—bringing people together, hearing different perspectives, and building consensus. He would be the only attorney on the board once Jim Dugan’s term expires next year.

Given Kevin and Omer’s credentials and the extensive SBNC vetting and nomination process they both went through, I strongly endorse their candidacy and hope that you will join me in voting for them.

Jennifer Kahan
54 Butler Road

(From Toby Milstein-Schulman)

To the Editor,

Scarsdale’s civic tradition has long emphasized thoughtful, nonpartisan leadership grounded in judgment, public service, and a commitment to the broader good. The School Board Nominating Committee process is not incidental to that tradition—it is central to preserving it. For more than half a century, since its governing structure was first established in 1965, the SBNC has provided a deliberate, community-driven process to identify and vet Board of Education candidates based on their qualifications, judgement and readiness to serve the entire community.

That standard matters. The SBNC’s role is not simply to fill seats, but to evaluate who has the judgment, temperament, and wide-ranging experience to govern well on behalf of the entire district. The Committee’s own process asks candidates to demonstrate not only why they seek to serve but also what qualities, civic experience, and past judgment prepare them to contribute effectively to the work of the Board.

The SBNC is not a closed body appointing its successors. It is a representative committee elected by all of us Scarsdale residents, with members chosen by voters from each elementary school district. Those members are our neighbors, selected by the community to do the hard work most voters cannot realistically do alone: recruit broadly, interview meticulously, deliberate extensively, and seriously assess which candidates have what it takes to represent us on the Board of Education.

And importantly, the SBNC does not decide the election. It recommends a slate. Voters still decide whether those candidates earn their support.

What the SBNC provides is the benefit of a serious, structured, community-based vetting process before that vote is cast. It is one of the few remaining civic mechanisms designed not simply to reward visibility or past volunteerism, but to assess who is best prepared to govern this particular board at this particular moment.

Kevin Ziegler and Omer Wiczyk emerged from a thorough vetting process as candidates with complementary backgrounds, deep commitment and experience with Scarsdale schools, and the ability to work collaboratively with fellow Board members and district administration in service of students and families. They also bring the qualities the SBNC process is meant to surface. They understand that effective school board leadership requires listening before reacting, balancing competing priorities, and making decisions not for applause or ideology, but for the long-term health of the district and the continued excellence of Scarsdale’s schools.

On a personal level, I have seen both Kevin and Omer as kind, thoughtful, and deeply considerate parents, as well as generous volunteers in the life of this community. Those qualities matter not because they are valid personal virtues alone, but because they reinforce the judgment, character, and sense of responsibility that public service demands.

This election is an opportunity to affirm two exceptional candidates based on their valuable experience and strong character, and at the same time, the enduring civic process that produced them. I am voting the SBNC slate because it produced two candidates that only strengthen my trust in the process Scarsdale has built—and sustained—for decades.

This is why I am voting for Kevin Ziegler and Omer Wiczyk on May 19th at Scarsdale Middle School.

Toby Milstein-Schulman

(From Rupa and Viral Juthani)

To the Editor:
We are Fox Meadow parents writing in strong support of Kevin Ziegler and Omer Wiczyk for the Scarsdale Board of Education.

As Fox Meadow parents, we know Kevin personally through our children and school activities. He is approachable, collaborative, and deeply engaged. He listens carefully, asks thoughtful questions, and is consistently present. His desire to serve is rooted in a sincere commitment to strengthening the educational experience for all students.

We have also been impressed by Omer’s calm, measured approach and his clear appreciation of the responsibilities of public service. He brings intelligence, integrity, and a collaborative mindset to every conversation.

Over the course of this campaign, we have followed both candidates closely. We watched the League of Women Voters forum, attended community events, and have seen Kevin and Omer engaging thoughtfully and respectfully with residents throughout Scarsdale. What stands out most is their genuine commitment to our schools, our children, and our community.

We respect both the process and judgment of the 30 community members who serve on the Scarsdale Board Nominating Committee. It is clear that this year’s thoughtful and thorough process yielded two outstanding candidates whose professional experiences and perspectives complement one another in meaningful ways. Kevin brings significant business and financial experience, along with a practical and strategic approach to problem-solving. Omer contributes deep legal expertise and a strong understanding of governance and policy. Together, they offer skills that will be highly valuable as the district navigates increasingly complex educational and financial challenges.

Kevin and Omer are prepared, thoughtful, and committed to preserving the excellence of Scarsdale schools. We encourage our neighbors to support them for the Scarsdale Board of Education.

Sincerely,
Drs. Rupa and Viral Juthani
29 Church Lane

(From Allison Zolot)

To the Editor:

I am writing in support of Omer Wiczyk and Kevin Ziegler for the Scarsdale Board of Education.

I have had the opportunity to work with Omer through the Scarsdale Forum and the Citizens Nominating Committee. In both settings, I have seen his strong judgment, professionalism, and deep respect for civic responsibility. Omer approaches complex issues carefully and thoughtfully, and he understands the importance of balancing differing viewpoints while keeping the broader interests of the community in focus.

As a participant in the Citizens Nominating Committee process, which vets candidates for Village Board positions through Scarsdale’s long standing nonpartisan system, I also strongly value and support the similar process used by the School Board Nominating Committee. These systems depend on thoughtful community participation and careful evaluation of candidates, and I believe that process worked well in identifying strong candidates this year.

As a Fox Meadow parent and Kevin’s neighbor, I have also seen firsthand the kind of person he is and how he engages with the community. Kevin is thoughtful, practical, and genuinely invested in Scarsdale schools. He listens carefully, values different perspectives, and approaches issues with a steady and collaborative mindset. In addition to being deeply engaged in the community, Kevin brings significant business experience through his work at a global company and his MBA background — exactly the kind of practical financial and strategic perspective that is valuable for the district at this time.

Omer and Kevin bring complementary professional experience, sound judgment, and a collaborative approach that will benefit the district as it navigates increasingly complex educational and financial challenges. I encourage residents to support them for the Scarsdale Board of Education by voting on May 19 at Scarsdale Middle School.

Allison Zolot
17 Circle Rd
Scarsdale NY 10583

(From Jon Lemle)

In Strong Support of the Non-Partisan System – Omer Wiczyk and Kevin Ziegler

Letter to the Editor:

I hope the community will join me in voting for Omer Wiczyk and Kevin Ziegler for the Board of Education. They received the nomination from the non-partisan School Board Nominating Committee, and their experience encompasses the attributes necessary to be an effective board member from the start. Included in everything the board undertakes is the need to be an effective communicator, consensus builder, decision maker and information processor.

My family moved to Scarsdale when I was 4 years old, I went on to attend Fox Meadow, graduating from SHS in 1997. My two siblings and I loved growing up here and benefiting from the education that we received. I proudly moved back with my wife, to raise our three daughters. My parents (who still live here) were consummate civic volunteers and instilled in me the value of the non-partisan system.

This system has served our community well for decades. In an unfortunate era of increasing hyper-partisanship, our system is an asset to our community, as it provides the space to assess and nominate candidates based on their qualifications/experience and not based on some rigid one size fits all criteria. Further it obviates the need to pander to certain constituencies, or pledge fealty to rigid ideology. The system fosters social cohesion amongst our community, by removing politics from our most sacred public institution, our schools. The confidentiality, that is the bedrock of the nominating process, allows for prospective candidates to experience a dignified vetting process. It is almost certain that every year not every member of the School Board Nominating Committee had their candidate(s) of choice nominated, but what is certain is that a democratic process, without the interference of partisanship, is serving our community well.

This year there is a contested election, and while this is a sanctioned part of the non-partisan system, we can feel confident that Omer and Kevin are the right fit for Scarsdale right now.
Having spent over two decades as a prosecutor in New York City, Omer handled complicated investigations, in a pressure filled environment, where he excelled at synthesizing large amounts of complex information and effectively building consensus with his own colleagues and juries of community members he didn’t know, in both written and verbal mediums. Omer’s current role is as an attorney and leader in a non-profit focused on advancing civil and human rights. These skills will provide a unique and needed complement to the existing board. Omer has utilized these skills to gain insight in the Scarsdale community in civic roles as the president of the Scarsdale Forum and Citizens Nominating Committee.

As an executive in a multi-national corporation with over 200,000 employees, Kevin oversees a global team where he leads strategic planning, budget formulation, talent management, and contract negotiations. His success is in large part the ability to build consensus across a global platform, by being an effective communicator and leader, by bringing together a large culturally diverse team in a shared vision to achieve the goals of the organization. A decade of professional public relations and communications experience will benefit the board in sharing their vision and work with the Scarsdale community. Prior civic experience allocating and overseeing a multimillion-dollar budget will be well utilized along with his professional budgeting experience in enabling our schools to maximize how its funds are spent.

With children younger than many of the current board members, they will be able to offer additional firsthand perspective as decisions are made on the board. Omer will have children in middle and high school, while Kevin will have two children in elementary school with a third that will join them before his board term is complete.

A community’s cultural and intellectual diversity makes it stronger, by bringing unique and varying perspectives. Kevin and Omer will complement the existing board by bringing their unique expertise.

Their opponent in this campaign publicly acknowledged that she submitted for nomination to the SBNC but was not selected. A confidential process, she posited that the only possible explanation for her not being nominated is that the process is somehow broken. Maybe it was as simple as the committee thought that Omer and Kevin could better serve the community right now. Or that the committee quietly and without public embarrassment. found problematic aspects to her experience and temperament. To impugn a time-honored process and the elected volunteers that serve it is divisive and unbecoming of someone who wants to represent our community and children.

I urge everyone in support of the non-partisan system and the quality of our children’s education to vote for Kevin and Omer on Tuesday May 19, at Scarsdale Middle School from 7am - 9pm.

Jon Lemle
Kent Road

(From Carmen Facciolo)

In Support of Omer Wiczyk and Kevin Ziegler for the Scarsdale Board of Education

I am writing to enthusiastically support Omer Wiczyk and Kevin Ziegler for the Scarsdale Board of Education.

I know Omer personally and professionally. We worked together at the Bronx District Attorney's Office, where he was one of the most honest and hardworking people I have ever encountered. He never shied away from the hardest cases, and he never wavered from doing what was right—even when it wasn't easy. He acted with class, integrity, and respect. That's who Omer is when no one is watching.

Over the years, we became close friends. What strikes me most is how deeply he cares—about his family, his community, and the people around him. He is always there, no matter the day or the time. That kind of person is rare and the one you want overseeing your child's schools.

I say this with some perspective. Over my career, I have counseled politicians, advised elected officials, coordinated domestic policy portfolios including education, and helped run campaigns at the local, state, and federal levels — including two presidential campaigns. I know what leadership looks like and what character looks like. Omer has both. From the moment I met him, I thought he should run for office. He always told me the same thing: he cared about public service, not politics. That answer says everything. After 20 years of public service as a prosecutor, Omer could have walked out the door and taken a corporate law job making millions, instead, he went to work in the non-profit space to protect democracy and civil rights. That is not a résumé decision. That is a values decision.

Kevin Ziegler brings a different but equally valuable set of skills. With an MBA from Northwestern's Kellogg School of Management and a background in journalism, he has built a career at the intersection of strategy, communications, and global partnership—most recently as VP and Global Head of Distribution at Hyatt, and before that in senior roles at Marriott International. He knows how large, complex organizations work, how to communicate clearly, and how to build consensus across competing interests. Those are exactly the skills a school board needs. And from what I understand, the moment Kevin moved to Scarsdale, he dove headfirst into the community. That instinct—to show up and get involved—matters.

As a former Scarsdale resident—my wife and I only moved back to Washington, DC for work—I still care deeply about this community. I would encourage every Scarsdale voter to support Omer Wiczyk and Kevin Ziegler for the Board of Education on Tuesday, May 19.

Carmen Facciolo
Washington, DC