Jane Sullivan, President

CONTACT

Email: jsullivan1@iroquoiscsd.org
Building Ambassador: Middle School
Term Expiration: 2025

BIOGRAPHY

Hello neighbor! I am proud to serve our community as a member of the Iroquois Central School District Board of Education. I am a graduate of Iroquois, Class of 1986. As an Iroquois student I was involved in a variety of activities, including cheerleading, drama club, writing for the school paper, and serving on the student government. I was given a well-rounded education and I want to assure students today have similar opportunities.

I furthered my education graduating from Syracuse University in 1990 with a Bachelor of Arts in English and from Canisius College in 1992 with a Master of Science in reading education. I began working in education immediately, teaching reading at Starpoint Central School from 1992 to 1997. After a move to Texas and a maternity leave, I began teaching college writing in the First Year College Program at Texas A&M International University (TAMIU), a position I held until my family moved back to Elma in 2010.

I am currently teaching in the College Writing Program at Buffalo State College as an adjunct writing instructor. In addition to teaching, I am the lifestyles editor to the East Aurora Advertiser and Elma Review. I also work in the Neighbor to Neighbor News billing department as a co-account manager.

I have four children, who have all gone through the Iroquois School District. My oldest daughter graduated from Iroquois in 2015 and from Manhattan College in 2019. She works currently in the health care industry and has continued her education in the hope of becoming a nurse. My other children are triplets, two girls and a boy, who graduated from Iroquois in June 2019. Each is pursuing higher education degrees: one is at Buffalo State studying computer information systems, one is at Gannon University studying pre-med biology, one is at University of Maine studying marine sciences. They were active students while attending Iroquois, so I saw many facets of the district including football, cheerleading, track, cross-country, holly hanging, music course, science course, AP courses, drama club, LEAD, FFA, BOCES and the BOCES Connections program. As a result, I continue to see the big picture of how our district continues to prepare its graduates for life with a well round education and opportunities that go beyond the classroom.

It is an exciting time to be in education and to be involved with a district that continues to look for ways to provide not only for students but also the community. I am so glad my path has led me to this role in the community and I thank you for the opportunity.

Please reach out to share your concerns and celebrations with me. I am here to listen.

Heather Jacobs, Vice-President

CONTACT

Email: hjacobs@iroquoiscsd.org
Building Ambassador: High School/Buildings & Grounds/Transportation
Term Expiration: 2026

BIOGRAPHY

Heather is a 1993 graduate of Iroquois High School. She received her bachelor's degree in Mathematics from Buffalo State College in 1997. After graduation, she was hired by Marine Midland Bank. Over the last 24 years, Heather has worked for HSBC Bank to focus on IT Compliance Financial Crime. Heather has a longstanding reputation for being a leader with moral values, a solid work ethic, and a well-respected member of the Iroquois community.

​Heather currently lives in Marilla with her husband, Andy, and two children, Carson and Shea.

​Heather is reminded of what M. K. Soni wrote, "A house is made of brick and mortar, but a home is made by the people who live there." Neighbors, we understand this quote means that this community is special; it encompasses all of us; it is our home! Heather is seeking to make a difference for your children and be the voice of our community.

Robert (Bob) Barry, Member

CONTACT

Email: rbarry@iroquoiscsd.org
Building Ambassador: Middle School
Term Expiration: 2026

BIOGRAPHY

I have grown up in Elma and I am a 1990 graduate of Iroquois High School. Proud to be a member of this great community and to raise a family here. My wife Kim who is a teacher of 22 years, my 2 boys Tyler who will be graduating from Iroquois and moving on to college and Trevor who is a Freshman at the High School.

The great reputation of the Iroquois School district education and low tax rates is the main reasons I chose to stay and raise my family in the district. The sense of community and they way we all come together to help our neighbors is what makes the Iroquois School district so great.

After graduating from Iroquois, I received dual Bachelor’s degrees in Geology/Earth Science education received my Master’s degree in science both from Buffalo State College. I continued my educational journey by starting to pursue my PhD.  In Educational Leadership.

This a very exciting and scary time in the world and in education. We as leaders must think out of the box to continue to give every child in our district the best quality education, we can possibly give them.

Jim Michalek, Member

CONTACT

Email: jmichalek@iroquoiscsd.org
Building Ambassador: Wales Primary
Term Expiration: 2027

BIOGRAPHY

My wife, Jennifer, and I moved into the Iroquois School District to start our family in 2002, having been drawn by the area’s strong sense of community and this school district’s reputation for excellence.   We have two amazing kids (daughter, Alexis, and son, Athan) who both attend Iroquois Middle School.  We are very interested in all aspects of their education and the school’s impact on our community.

After graduating from St. Francis High School in 1993, I served in the U.S. Navy until 1997.  My experiences in the military have contributed to the management skills I’ve developed and utilized in restaurant and retail management, where I currently manage the Goodyear Tire Store in Buffalo.

I have been afforded many opportunities to contribute to our community by supporting youth athletics in various capacities, including managing a hockey team, coaching youth football, serving as Empire West Youth Football and Cheerleading Vice President.   I have served on the EMW Sports, Inc. Board since 2013 and was elected President in 2017.  I have enjoyed service on the EMW Football and Cheerleading Board as President, especially the opportunity to meet and work with so many great people.  I am currently the President of the Iroquois Football Boosters.

I look forward to bringing my experience and passion for working with people, particularly our developing youth, along with proven leadership and management to the Board to make a positive impact on Iroquois schools for many years to come.   I am particularly eager to support initiatives that will enhance Iroquois’ academic excellence and ensure that we graduate students who are “well-rounded”, highly proficient and extensively prepared for their next phase in life.   I look forward to gaining additional insights on NY State’s regulations and offering recommendations that can best serve all of our constituencies, including our students, parents and tax-payers.  

Charles F. Specht, Member

CONTACT

Email: cspecht@iroquoiscsd.org
Building Ambassador: Marilla Primary
Term Expiration: 2024

BIOGRAPHY

I am a 1974 graduate of Iroquois High School.  I received my bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from St. Bonaventure University in 1978.  After graduation, I worked for Resser Management Company before joining the Fiduciary Tax Department at HSBC Bank where I also served as Vice-President of Operations in the Investment Management Division until 1991 when I left to become business and office manager for our family business.

I am proud and feel very fortunate to have not only attended Iroquois, but to have also been a member of the Iroquois Board of Education since July 2009, serving as president from 2013 through 2018.  My wife, three sons and I returned to the Iroquois School district in 1997 to provide the best possible educational opportunities for our children.  As such, I am committed to maintaining and further improving the superior educational standards and staff our children have benefitted from and we have come to expect at Iroquois. At the same time, we must be mindful of the financial challenges faced by public education today and prudently manage those challenges in light of the needs of our students and taxpayers. 

I have worked and supported many Iroquois School and community events, as well as organizations over the years.  I served as an officer of the Iroquois Football Boosters Club for 13 years.  I have also served on the EMW Football and Cheerleading Board of Directors and as a director of the St. Bonaventure University Rugby Alumni Board.  I am also member of the Executive Board of the Erie County Association of School Boards and currently serve as the president of that organization.  I have been a member of the ECASB Legislative team since 2009. I am also an active member of Annunciation parish.

Sharon Szeglowski, Member

CONTACT

Email: sszeglowski@iroquoiscsd.org
Building Ambassador: Elma Primary
Term Expiration: 2023

BIOGRAPHY

Sharon Szeglowski, her husband Scott and their two sons, Ian and Owen, moved to the Iroquois Central School District in 2007.  They were attracted by the strong sense of community and the school district's commitment to a high quality education and fiscal responsibility.

Sharon has a Master's Degree in Social Studies Education from the University of Buffalo. She has been a teacher in a local school district for twenty-one years. In addition, she is a published author in the field of education.  Sharon served as a member of the community group in the most recent Superintendent search and has been active with the Iroquois Ambassadors group.

This is a critical time in education. School districts are facing financial challenges of historic significance. Sharon believes that this is the most important time to become a School Board Member. This is the time to work together with the entire community to make decisions that represent the future of our school district. She will work hard to ensure that Iroquois continues to be the outstanding school district it is today.

Louise Toth, Member

CONTACT

Email: ltoth@iroquoiscsd.org
Building Ambassador: High School/Buildings & Grounds/Transportation
Term Expiration: 2023

BIOGRAPHY

I am honored to serve as a member of the Iroquois Board of Education and am committed to keep the best interest of our students my number one priority.  The overseeing of the quality public education of our community’s children is most important while keeping our district as one of the highest rated school districts in Western New York.

I am a 30 + year resident in the District and a graduate of SUNY at Buffalo with a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Management with a major in accounting and two (2) Masters Degrees – Public Administration and Human Services Administration from SUNY College at Buffalo in 2010.

My knowledge and more than 20 years of experience in accounting, fiscal management, and working with budgets will help our board achieve its goals, while being fiscally responsible, maintaining the building and grounds, and our District’s reputation as being exceptional among the community.

I have a child attending the high school and another that graduated. I have a vested interest in our District’s schools and maintaining the highest educational values in the area.