Joshua Eiffe
Term expires 6/30/2026
Joshua Eiffe lives in Stillwater with his wife, Alicia, and children, Ella and Asher. Ella will be in fourth grade at Stillwater Elementary in fall 2025 and Asher will begin first grade.
Joshua graduated from Shenendehowa High School and earned a Bachelor of Science at Keuka College. He is an account manager with a large health insurance company, a background that will benefit his service on the Board.
“I am no stranger to financials, contracts and making tough decisions, but most of all I work toward ensuring members have the best experience and care they can have,” Joshua said. “I plan to apply this knowledge to the school board, ensuring wise and logical decisions are made for our children and staff.
“Family is number one for me, so the opportunity to serve our community and make sure our children grow up in the best possible environment is my top priority.”
Tara Gutman
Term expires 6/30/2028
Tara Gutman, a parent of two middle schoolers, is serving her first term on the Board. She and her family have resided in Stillwater for years and feel fortunate to be part of a “small, but mighty” school district. Tara believes the district’s strength lies in its tight-knit community, which enables Stillwater to offer more opportunities.
With over 20 years of legal experience as an attorney, Tara has developed the skills to resolve disputes in a fair and equitable manner. Her profession has taught her to be an expert listener, ask the right questions and find common ground with individuals – abilities that are essential for thoughtful and effective board service.
As a board candidate and parent, Tara cares deeply about what’s best for Stillwater students. “I believe every decision we make should ultimately serve one purpose: supporting the success, growth and well-being of our students,” she said.
Her goal is to help the district continue to thrive, not only academically, but in all forms that will foster a positive and meaningful learning experience for every student. Tara also hopes to see a baseball field come to life while her children are still students; while this is not definite, Tara is committed to giving it her all to help move projects like this forward for the benefit of Stillwater students and the community.
Darrell Hazen
Term Expires: 6/30/2026
Darrell Hazen was elected to the Board of Education on May 16, 2023 and was sworn in on May 23, 2023 to fill a vacancy on the board.
Darrell and his wife, Stephanie, have three children in the district, one in each the Elementary, Middle and High School. They participate in many of the offered activities, including sports, band, chorus and drama.
Darrell has served on the district’s Shared Decision Making Committee, Elementary School Principal Selection Committees and Challenged Books Review Committee. He’s also assisted the PTA in various ways.
In the community, Darrell has volunteered at the Stillwater Community Center with youth sports activities.
Darrell is vice president of operations for a national medical gas service company, with 24 years of experience in logistics, fiscal management, human resources, employee management and training, and regulatory compliance.
As a board member, he promises to do his “best to bring a fresh perspective and contribute to the school district mission statement: ‘We are Stillwater, striving to create an inclusive culture with diverse and enriching opportunities that promote student success through continuous improvement and community involvement.’”
Melissa DeCota
Term Expires: 6/30/2027
Melissa DeCota is serving her first term on the board. She works as a program manager for a reputable consulting firm and brings over a decade of expertise in the field of energy efficiency and sustainability. She earned an associate’s degree in drafting and design from Ulster County Community College before transferring to Union College, where she graduated with a bachelor’s degree in math and biology.
Melissa is proud to call Stillwater home, enjoying its rich community heritage and the small-town ambiance. It’s one of the reasons she moved back to the area five years ago with her husband Matt and their three children – Jackson, Dallas and Adelaide.
An involved parent, Melissa is a member of the Stillwater Elementary PTA and volunteers for school events and field trips as often as possible. She’s also a member of the Shared Decision-Making Committee.
As a board candidate, Melissa strives to provide Stillwater students with a robust education that prepares them to be future leaders. She’s dedicated to fostering a safe and welcoming learning environment, ensuring the community continues to provide the resources and support necessary for “our children’s growth, success and overall well-being.”
Valerie Masterson
Term expires 6/30/2026
Valerie Masterson has been involved in the Stillwater school community for more than 40 years, including serving on the Board of Education for 27 years and as a PTA officer, Odyssey of the Mind coach, trustee and elder of the Stillwater United Church trustee and elder, and Stillwater town councilwoman.
During her past service on the Board of Education, Valerie served as board president, vice president, chairperson of the finance and policy committees and member of the program, facilities, school safety and website committees.
Valerie has three grown children, Michael, Matthew and Meaghan, all of whom are Stillwater graduates.
About serving on the Board, she said, “I believe the children of Stillwater are our most precious asset. The world they will grow up in will most certainly be challenging in ways that we cannot even conceive at this point in time. It is our job to give them a solid educational base, fostering the very best in all of them and contributing to their continued success.”
Robert McCoy
Term expires 6/30/2028
Robert McCoy is serving his second term on the Stillwater Board of Education. He lives in Stillwater with his wife, Shelby, and two children, who both attend Stillwater Schools.
McCoy is a small business owner and stay-at-home dad who said he “is looking to bring back community communication to our school board. Your child, your choice: I believe we need to get the students back to learning and thriving in Stillwater, and in a close sense of community that supports teachers and staff throughout the district.
“I believe in a safe school environment for all, with smart planning for the future as Stillwater schools grow in numbers. I stand for educational growth for teachers to excel and advance with excellent pay and benefits.”
Jon Mueller
Term Expires: 6/30/2027
Jon Mueller has lived in Stillwater for 41 years. He is a graduate of Stillwater High School and Eckerd College, where he received a bachelor’s degree in sociology, and the College of Saint Rose, where he received a master’s degree in secondary education.
Jon currently serves as the head baseball coach at University at Albany, where he has been for 23 years. In the community, Jon has been a volunteer Battle Football coach for eight years. He has also been involved with youth soccer, Halfmoon Youth Baseball, and Stillwater girls varsity basketball. Jon and his wife Patricia have two children, Marley and Jaxon.
About serving on the Board of Education, Jon said, “My goal is to enrich the experience of our students through a fiscally responsible plan for our district.”
Aimee Salecker
Term expires 6/30/2028
An alumna of the district, Aimee Salecker is currently serving her first term on the Board. With deep roots in Stillwater through her mother’s family, Aimee moved back to the area in 1989 and has called it home ever since. She graduated from Stillwater High School in 1999 and now lives in town with her husband and daughter.
As a Stillwater native, Aimee has always “wanted a chance to be involved in making a positive impact on the future of the school district.” Growing up in the area has given her a unique perspective on SCSD, having witnessed its development over the years, both in size and in the opportunities it offers. Aimee has also volunteered extensively throughout her daughter’s education in Stillwater, serving as a PTA member and co-president during the 2015–2016 school year. She remained active in the PTA until her daughter graduated from the district in 2024. In addition, Aimee has been involved with the Stillwater Drama Club and served as President of the Baseball/Softball Booster Club from 2018 to 2024.
Through these experiences, Aimee has collaborated with parents, teachers and administrators to bring “high-quality opportunities” to Stillwater, gaining valuable experience in communication, problem-solving and critical thinking. Her roles as Center Director for the Stillwater Area Community Center and Foster Grandparent Program Manager for the Commission on Economic Opportunity have enabled her to build strong relationships within the community and equipped her with the skills to work effectively with the public and as part of a team.
Aimee’s primary goal as a Board member is to support Stillwater students. She aims to “be every student’s best advocate in the classroom, on the court, field or stage.” She also wants to “ensure that teachers, staff and administrators are supported through professional development and personal growth.” Another of Aimee’s goals is to increase transparency within the community. As she explains, “I believe the Board is already doing so well, and I’d like to work to figure out how we can increase visibility of those things.”
Melissa Zdonick
Term Expires: 6/30/2027
A lifelong Stillwater resident, Melissa Zdonick graduated from the district in 1986 and is a member of Stillwater’s Athletic Hall of Fame. She’s been employed by Intact Insurance for 23 years and currently works as a senior claims manager.
Melissa is an involved member of the Stillwater community, having volunteered for several different organizations. She was a board member and coach for Mechanicville-Stillwater Youth Soccer League (MSYSL) and a volunteer coach for Stillwater Community Center Youth Basketball, Mechanicville-Stillwater Little League and Titans Travel Baseball. She has also volunteered for the Stillwater Soccer Booster Club.
Melissa is married to her husband Henry Zdonick, and together they have two children, both of whom are Stillwater graduates.
She sees serving on the school board “as an opportunity to contribute directly to the education of the youth in our community.