Meet the candidates running for the Minisink Valley Board of Education

In addition to voting for the proposed 2021-22 school budget on Tuesday, May 18, voters will be asked to select new Board of Education members.

Voters will be asked to select three members for three year terms created by the expiration of the term; and one member for the unexpired term caused by the removal of a board member. In alphabetical order, meet the candidates:

Nakia HickmanNakia Hickman

Hello, my name is Nakia Hickman, and I’m a resident of the Minisink Valley community, a proud mom of a 7th grader, and a supportive wife to an NYPD Lieutenant. I work at SUNY Orange as a supervisor in Student Services Central. My experience working in education has given me an understanding of what children, families, system, and the community needs to thrive.

Long before my child was of school age, I was a member of the Otisville PTO. My forethought of becoming a member was the ideal that – for my child – early investment in the powerful tool of education would increase his resilience and impact his journey through the Minisink Valley School District. Later I started and became the president of the PTO at the Montessori school my son attended. For the last 2 ½ years, I’ve been a member of the Diversity Committee at Minisink.

Educating our students is undoubtedly the most critical profession in the world after parenting. I am eager to help create the conditions for students, parents, building leaders, teachers, staff, bus operators, and the community to thrive, flourish, and grow.

Thank you for your consideration.

Dr. Scott HinesDr. Scott Hines

I moved to Slate Hill, NY in 2006 with my wife, Mary, and son, Andrew, when I accepted a position as an endocrinologist at Crystal Run Healthcare.

Over the past 15 years our family has grown to include Lucy and James and my career has progressed to being named the Chief Quality Officer at Crystal Run.

I am interested in remaining on the Board of Education so I can continue to contribute to this community which has given us so much.  In addition to my experience on the Board of Education and the Executive Team at my practice, other leadership activities that I am involved in include being a Board Member of the AMGA, the Chair of the Public Policy Committee at the AMGA, a physician reviewer for the National Committee for Quality Assurance, and an active member of the National Organization for Albinism and Hypopigmentation community.  I look forward to the opportunity to continue to contribute to the future of our school district.

Anthony MonocoAnthony Monaco

My name is Anthony Monaco.  I am Vice President of Tony Monaco Landscaping, with over 25 years of experience.  I manage a crew of 25 employees, work with many community members, small businesses, and public officials. In addition to working for my family business I have coached and now officiate High School Wrestling.  I also serve as Vice President of Orange-Sullivan Wrestling Official Association.

My wife Rebecca and I are both lifelong residents of Orange County, New York.  We  decided to build in the town of Mount Hope in 2007. My wife is a NYS teacher for the past 18 years.  We have two children who attend Minisink Valley Central School District.  Our daughter is currently in sixth-grade at Minisink Middle School and our son is in first-grade at Otisville Elementary.

I am excited for the opportunity to be on the Minisink Valley Board of Education.  I look forward to working with the community, parents, students, and school personnel to keep Minisink prospering to its highest levels of achievement.

Melissa YoungMelissa Young

I am thrilled to be a candidate for the MV BOE election this year.

I am a proud ’98 MV graduate, and currently reside in the Town of Greenville with my husband Bryan and our son Connor.

I am employed full time as a Financial Ops Manager at Anthem, Inc. and my husband Bryan is part of the Buildings and Grounds team at MV.

We purchased our home in the district in 2010, knowing we would want our future children to attend MV. Today, our son attends 2nd grade at MVES, and is an active participant in both the MV Youth Football and MV Youth Baseball Leagues.

I look forward to working with the community and our school administration to ensure the best educational experience for our children, their families, and their teachers, while encouraging fiscal responsibility.

By working together, we can accomplish so much for our children and our community!