Sharon Szeglowski, President

CONTACT

Email: sszeglowski@iroquoiscsd.org
Building Ambassador: High School
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.

Michele Hovey, Vice-President

CONTACT

Email: mhovey@iroquoiscsd.org
Building Ambassador: High School
Term Expiration: 2022

BIOGRAPHY

Michele Hovey grew up in Elma and graduated from Iroquois in 1986. She later graduated from SUNY Geneseo with a BA in Mathematics. She is a true believer in the power of quality public education to empower students to succeed in any undertaking they choose.

Living outside of Western NY for several years provided Michele a true appreciation of all this area has to offer. The exceptional public education that Iroquois offers was the deciding factor in the decision to return home. Now, Michele has 3 children, who are the 5th generation of her family to live in Elma. Her daughter is an Iroquois graduate and her two sons are currently students in the High School.

The excellent reputation and the relatively low tax rate of the Iroquois School District are two of the main factors that are helping to improve property values. As a parent, property owner, and real estate professional, Michele has a vested interest in keeping Iroquois the best educational value in the entire region.

Michele is honored to serve all of the residents and taxpayers of the Iroquois School District. The feeling of community, the sense of pride, and the incredible generosity and support for everyone in this district is something very special.

Gunnar Haberl, Member

CONTACT

Email: ghaberl@iroquoiscsd.org
Building Ambassador: Elma Primary
Term Expiration: 2021

Dear Community Members,

I feel that it is important to officially announce that I will not seek reelection to the Board of Education of the Iroquois Central School District. This was such a difficult decision because of my love for this community, this school district, and my faith in public education. It has been one of my greatest privileges to serve this district for the last five years. I have decided to make this announcement now to provide members of the community ample time to consider running and make their platforms known.  

I would like to take this opportunity to inform you that the petitions for the upcoming Board of Education election to be held on May 18, 2021 are now available with the Iroquois Central School District Clerk’s Office. The Iroquois Central School District Board of Education is comprised of seven members who are elected to a serve a 5-year term. On June 30, 2021, the 5-year terms of Mr. David Lowrey and myself will expire. Residents interested in running for the Board may pick up a petition and informational packet from the District Clerk.

My commitment to the students of this community stems from the outstanding public education that I received at Iroquois, which then afforded me the opportunities to discover my dreams and chase them. I send my gratitude to the devoted educators of the Iroquois Central School District who have left a profound imprint on my heart. Our teachers are our mentors, and our heroes; and their dedication to providing the best educational experiences for students are to be commended.

At the age of 18, I was the youngest elected member to this body in district history. I could not be more proud of the progress made. As I look back, I am pleased that we increased Board Member visibility throughout the district by creating the Board Ambassador Program, pushed NYS to remove age limitations for students to participate in Unified Sports, worked to address student mental health needs by urging the district to hire a full time counselor in each primary school, made the student experience a priority by hiring a full time athletic director, and ensuring that the young people of our community will have a voice with this Board through the implementation of the new meeting agenda which includes student participation.

Our world, our country, and our community continue to face one of the most difficult periods in modern history. The challenges posed by this pandemic have forced us all out of our comfort zones and prompted creative thinking to problem solve in the best way possible for our students and families.

I want to reiterate my gratitude to this community for their support, input, and encouragement throughout my time as a Board member and the trust you placed in me back in May of 2016. You had the faith in me to bring the perspective of a recent graduate of the Iroquois Central School District to our Board of Education. On that evening in which the election results were announced, I made a promise to work to the best of my abilities to show our students that anything is truly possible. I am proud to have kept that promise.

Throughout this time my family has sacrificed graciously, and I will forever be indebted to each of them for their support, encouragement, and love. I want to especially say thank you to my brother, Colby, a 2019 graduate of Iroquois and now serving as a sailor in the United States Navy who demonstrates to me what dedication to country truly looks like. Thank you to my sister, Kennedy, a 2020 graduate of Iroquois and starting shortstop for St. Bonaventure University. Kennedy has taught me that there is no dream too big if you are willing to work hard for it. Thank you to my father, a public educator and coach, who often reminds me that it is not easy to stay true to your ideals, especially when those values are under attack. And, finally to my mother, whose tough love and honesty always reminds me of my roots, my homebase, and what it means to be #HaberlTrained.

I will have more to share on this entire experience and people to thank when the time comes for me to pass the torch on to my successor. Know that I will continue to actively address the issues that are impacting our students, educators, and community for the remainder of my term.

The Iroquois Central School District is the heart of our community. It is where our children learn, grow, and discover the endless possibilities that await them. It is my wish that our community continues their positive support and engagement with the important work of educating our youth.

I am optimistic of our district and community’s bright future.

Yours Truly,

Gunnar J. Haberl

David Lowrey, Member

CONTACT

Email: dlowrey@iroquoiscsd.org
Building Ambassador: Marilla Primary
Term Expiration: 2021

BIOGRAPHY

David Lowrey graduated from Iroquois in 1978.  He has a Bachelors / Masters Degree from Buffalo State College in Art Education and Graphic Design.  Dave has Masters Degree from Canisius College in Education Administration.  Mr. Lowrey is currently employed as the Executive Director of Erie County Association of School Boards (ECASB).  Mr. Lowrey has worked as the Marketing Director for more than 50 Burger King Restaurants, served as the Director of Model and Agent Relations for the International Model Search, worked as a Supervisor for Tri-Town Recreation. Dave recently retired from the Lockport City School District where he taught Art at the high school for over 32 years and served as the Lockport Education Association Union President for over 465 members. While employed at Lockport High School, he also served as the Department Chairman, Chair of the Student Based Support Team and was Chair of the Orleans Niagara Teacher Center.   

In addition to his current position for ECASB, Mr. Lowrey teaches graduate level classes in the NYSUT Education and Learning Trust for College of St. Rose, Adelphi University, and Empire State College.

Mr. Lowrey has been involved in the community and is past Vice President of EMW Soccer and Tri Town Soccer.  He was the originator and co-chair of Spotlight ’84 – a decorator show house benefiting Allison House Foundation, Elma Historical Society and St. Vincent DePaul Home School Association.  Dave has served as the Treasurer, Vice President and President of the ECASB. He is a board secretary/treasurer of Erie Niagara School Superintendents Association.  He is on the parish council for St. Vincent DePaul church in Springbrook, New York. 

Dave has been awarded the Honorary Live Membership in New York State PTA, the Dianna R. Miller award at ECASB, and served in his first term on the Iroquois Central School Board from 1987-1992.  Mr. Lowrey was elected to serve on the Iroquois Central School Board in 2006 and is currently serving in his 9th year on the Erie 2 CC BOCES Board of Education.   

Charles F. Specht, Member

CONTACT

Email: cspecht@iroquoiscsd.org
Building Ambassador: Middle School
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.

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.

Louise Toth, Member

CONTACT

Email: ltoth@iroquoiscsd.org
Building Ambassador: Wales Primary
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.