There are five (5) candidates running to fill three (3) three (3)-year term seats at-large. The candidates will appear on the ballot in the following order:
1. Heather Johnson
2. Christine Calogero
3. Stephanie Smith
4. Pamela Murphy
5. Paul Kulpa
Heather Johnson
My name is Heather Johnson, and I would be honored to be considered for another term on the Westmoreland School Board. My husband Craig and I, along with our children, Grace and Hayden, have been residents in the Westmoreland Central School District since 2005. Prior to that we lived in the Syracuse City School District. 
In 1995, I graduated from SUNY Oswego with a Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education and in 2000, I earned my Master’s degree in Reading. My teaching career began with the Syracuse City School District in 1995 at McKinley Brighton Elementary School. Since 2006, I have worked in the Camden Central School District as a middle school reading teacher. I am currently the middle school AIS coordinator and have hosted multiple school-wide literacy events. I even founded the GUYS Read Book Club.
Since 2011, I have had the privilege of serving on the Westmoreland Central School District Board of Education, and currently serve as Vice President. During my time on the Board, I have attended numerous School Board Institute workshops covering a vast array of topics, including advocacy and financial oversight. I have also served on the policy committee, as well as several interview committees for teachers and administrators.
Last year, I was elected to be Westmoreland’s representative on the Oneida-Herkimer-Madison BOCES Cooperative Board. It has been wonderful to be a voice for our students and to help ensure that there are multiple pathways for all students to find success while in school and after graduation.
Being a classroom teacher for twenty-seven years has given me insight into the needs of students, both academically and emotionally. Being a parent, a teacher and a BOCES Board member provides me with a unique perspective and ability to see issues from all sides. I have devoted my career to students and I never lose sight of that. It has been my privilege to serve my community as a board member and I ask for your support on May 17th.
-Heather Johnson
Christine Calogero
I am Christine Calogero, and I am thrilled to be part of the Westmoreland community where my husband and his family grew up. I moved to Westmoreland when my husband Michael and I were married 27 years ago. We have made our home in the house Michael’s great, great, great Grandfather built almost 160 years ago. My husband and I have two children. My son graduated from Westmoreland High School in 2016 and is currently completing his second-year of law school, and my daughter graduated from Westmoreland High School in June 2021 and is completing her first year at college. My children were very involved in clubs, sports and activities while they attended Westmoreland schools. I have learned a great deal about Westmoreland watching my children grow up. 
My entire professional career has been spent in education and I have taught elementary, middle and high school grade levels in the Rome City School District. I received my BS in Biology from LeMoyne College and my MS in Education and CAS in Educational Administration from SUNY Cortland. I am currently teaching Science at Rome Free Academy High School (RFA). I have served as a Co-Principal for the Madison-Oneida BOCES summer school program and RFA Science Teacher Coordinator. I was selected to be a New York State STEM Master Teacher. I have also been a member of the Rome School District Academic Intervention, Discipline, Data and District and School-Based Improvement teams, as well as Response to Intervention, School and District Educational Development committees.
It is exciting to think that I can continue to contribute to the Westmoreland community and to the legacy of my family here in Westmoreland. It is an honor to be a member of the Westmoreland Central School District Board of Education.
I have dedicated my entire life to the education and well-being of children. There is nothing more important than our children, their school and our community. My background, interests and passion for education are my most valuable assets. I am asking for your vote for re-election and support so I may continue to serve our children and our community as a member of the Westmoreland Board of Education.
-Christine Calogero
Stephanie Smith
I am seeking election to the Westmoreland Central School District Board of Education. I have lived in the district for 16 years with my husband, Pete, and our three children, who all attend the Jr./Sr. High School. I work in the Accounting/Finance field, having earned licenses as both a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) and a Certified Internal Auditor (CIA). I feel my strong background in accounting, financial reporting and internal controls would be a great benefit to the Board of Education and to the entire school community. 
As a parent of school-age kids in this community, I appreciate the wonderful and diverse opportunities that all children in Westmoreland are offered. My kids have participated in the music program, marching band (three years and counting), honors program, cross-country, track & field, modified baseball and JV baseball. My oldest son attends the OHM BOCES P-TECH program, where he works with students from many school districts, participates in hands-on coursework focused on a STEM curriculum and will earn a two-year college degree from MVCC upon high school graduation in 2025. Our school district is amazing and I want to be involved and help continue this growth and investment in our children.
Thank you for considering me, and please come out and vote on May 17th!
-Stephanie Smith
Pamela Murphy
I am very excited to be a candidate for the Westmoreland School Board. I have had the honor to serve this community on the Board for the past six years. I have learned a great deal and discovered how wonderful and giving this community truly is. The last two years were extremely challenging for all of us. I tried, with my fellow Board members, to meet the demanding needs of all families during this crazy pandemic. It was a constant commitment to keep up with all the changes brought before us. I feel the district rose above it all. 
I have been married to my husband, Peter, for the past 37 years. We have lived in Westmoreland for 30 of them. The best decision we ever made was to move here and raise our three sons, Andrew, Brandon and Ryan. All three of them attended grades K-12 at Westmoreland. As a very proud parent, I saw their road to success. All three attended Siena College and earned Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees. Ryan continued at Albany Law and received his law degree. They now all have successful careers in their respective fields. I credit all of this to their solid foundation, which began here.
I have been the head teacher at the private pre-school located in the Primary Elementary building for more than 20 years. This has given me the unique opportunity to meet new families and transition them to our wonderful school, creating lasting relationships. I also have had the advantage of witnessing everyday student life. In my years at Westmoreland, I have been on the Little League Board and the PTO Board. All of these activities involve children. Helping them is where my true passion lies.
My heart belongs to Westmoreland, which is the major reason I am running. I would appreciate your continued support. Please remember me on Election Day. Thank you!
-Pamela Murphy
Paul Kulpa
I was born and raised in Westmoreland and graduated in 1993. I earned my Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees from SUNY Institute of Technology at Utica/Rome. After school, I worked at Excellus BCBS and then had an opportunity to move to Tennessee where I also worked for BCBS. I moved back to the area when I took a position with Agri-Services Agency, helping farmers across the country. 
My daughter Alina is a Bulldog in the 7th grade. Alina’s mom and I try to encourage her to make the best of her time at Westmoreland and take advantage of all that the school and community have to offer. She is an honor roll student in her Regents classes and typically takes advantage of the summer programs the school offers. She is a member of the band, chorus and participates in color guard.
I believe that my 25 years in the business world has challenged me from many aspects and has prepared me to bring a positive perspective to the school board. My professional career has taught me several things, including how to analyze a situation, how to negotiate, when to stand firm and when to compromise. I support group decision making and enjoy meeting new people. But, I think two of the most important things I bring to a position like this is how to listen and how to communicate. We need to make sure we are listening to each other and communicate appropriately at all levels.
The school administration and Board of Education have done a great job navigating what we were given over the last two years. Now that we have lived through this and learned a lot, we can begin to move past it and get back to dealing with some of the core issues and other matters schools must deal with.
Having moved back to the area in the last couple of years, I want to do what I can to contribute to the community, help our school and most importantly support our children. It would be my honor to serve on the Westmoreland Central School Board of Education. I appreciate your support and ask for your vote on May 17. Thank you.
-Paul Kulpa