Candidate for WSBFA President           Devon Anderson

  I have worked at Western Suffolk BOCES for almost 20 years as a social worker and started my involvement with the Faculty Association many years ago.  I began as a building representative and then went on to join the executive board.  I have always believed in the importance of a strong union and the need to have as many members involved as possible.  I have learned a great deal during this time, acquiring additional knowledge and new skill sets with each position that I have held.   
I am running for union president because I would like an opportunity to implement what I have learned over the years to build the next chapter of our union.  I believe our strength lies in unity across generations, experiences, and perspectives. I believe I am in a unique position to serve as a bridge between veteran members who built the foundation of our union and newer educators who are shaping its future. By listening to both, valuing both, and advocating for all, I will ensure every voice is heard and respected. I am confident in my ability to stand firm and fight for what our members deserve.  Over the past decade, we have made significant sacrifices to support our schools and students, and now is the time to build on that commitment by working together to restore balance and regain the benefits our members deserve.
With determination, communication, and a clear vision, I will work tirelessly to restore fairness, protect our rights, and move our union forward stronger than ever.  I respectfully ask you to support me in continuing my efforts on your behalf by voting for me in this important election.  As always, I remain available to any Faculty Association member to discuss any matter.  Thank you for your time and continued support. I look forward to serving your needs and protecting your rights.

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Candidate for 1st Vice President           Val Lambert

My name is Valerie Lambert, and I am honored to be running for the position of First Vice-President of the Western Suffolk BOCES Faculty Association (WSBFA).

I have dedicated my career to serving students and supporting my colleagues in education. Since 1999, I have worked as a school counselor at Wilson Tech, serving both Unit 9 and Unit 1. For the first 21 years of my career, I worked at the Dix Hills campus, and for the past six years, I have had the privilege of supporting students at the Republic campus. Throughout my tenure, I have been committed to guiding students as they identify their strengths, explore career pathways, and prepare for a successful future.

Service has always been at the core of my professional journey. In addition to my counseling role, I have been deeply involved in union leadership. Since 2012, I have served as a union representative, and over the years, I have also contributed in several other capacities, including as a Mentor, a member of ALIVE (Association of Long Island Vocational Educators), and as the campus representative to the Employee Assistance Program (EAP). I have also had the honor of working closely with students as a SkillsUSA advisor.

While my focus has always been on the well-being and success of our students, I have come to realize that students thrive when their educators thrive. Strong, supported educators create confident, successful students. This insight motivated me to become a Representative Assembly (R.A.) member and to deepen my involvement in union leadership. As a union leader, I have advocated for a stronger, more unified WSBFA, believing that unity is essential for creating a supportive environment for both educators and students.

For years, I have encouraged our Western Suffolk BOCES Faculty Association leadership to bring our members together so that we are stronger during contract negotiations and in labor-management discussions. I have consistently attended meetings over the past 15 years where I advocated for the importance of Career and Technical Education (CTE), while also listening to and supporting the concerns of my colleagues in Special Education. I firmly believe that unity across all of our programs and departments is critical to addressing the challenges we face as a union.

We are at a pivotal moment in our union’s history. With new leadership emerging within the administration and many new educators joining our ranks, this is the time to ensure that our voices are heard and our needs are met. We must work together to secure a fair contract and create an environment where all educators feel valued, supported, safe, and motivated to come to work each day.

While we acknowledge and appreciate the dedication of those who have served the union in the past, it is imperative that those of us currently working in the classrooms and offices of BOCES lead the conversation and represent the realities we face on the ground each day.

I am asking for your support and vote this April to be elected for the WSBFA First-Vice President position, and I look forward to collaborating with you to strengthen our union and advocate for the needs and rights of every WSBFA member.

Respectfully and with Unity,

Valerie Lambert

Candidate for WSBFA President            Rob Scavo

I am honored to announce my candidacy for the position of President of the Western Suffolk BOCES Faculty Association. With 32 years of experience as an educator in the CTE division and 18 years of service on the Sachem Central School District Board of Education, I bring a comprehensive background in education law, collective bargaining, leadership, policy development, and legislative advocacy.
In April 2025, I was elected to serve as Vice President of the WSBFA Executive Board and have since been an active member of the contract negotiation team. In my first year as an executive board member, I successfully advocated for and helped implement the replacement of our Labor Relations Specialist with a more efficient, experienced, and highly qualified NYSUT representative—an individual who now plays a critical role in strengthening our contract negotiations process. Additionally, I have remained steadfast in ensuring a clear distinction between contractual salary increases and the salary step advancements to which our members are already entitled under the New York State Triborough Amendment.
Throughout my career, I have been deeply committed to mentoring educators, supporting the professional growth of new teachers, and fostering excellence in instruction. My work as a school board member has included negotiating fair and sustainable agreements across multiple collective bargaining units, always with a focus on equity, transparency, and long-term viability.
As President of the Board of Education, I have worked alongside hundreds of educators and union leaders to advocate for increased state aid and to oppose unfunded mandates that place undue strain on our districts. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RPTl-xg9kYk&t=107s
My involvement with statewide organizations has also allowed me to support legislative efforts to reform teacher evaluation systems, including moving away from the flawed APPR model.
I also bring extensive knowledge of school district budget development, including the strategic use of reserves and fund balances to maintain fiscal stability while prioritizing educational excellence.
As a longtime Western Suffolk BOCES educator, I have consistently spoken out against improper practices and inequitable treatment of both instructional and non-instructional staff. It is imperative that we secure contracts that align our compensation and benefits with those of our peers across Long Island. Our educators, teacher assistants, and aides deserve fairness, dignity, and respect.
If elected, I am committed to addressing the following priorities through collective bargaining and labor-management collaboration:
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Immediate correction and renegotiation of post-2014 contracts that disproportionately impact our newest educators and undermine their financial stability.
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Continued advocacy for equitable contracts that address past concessions and bring us in line with neighboring districts and BOCES.
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Active participation in the development and negotiation of a fair and balanced teacher STEP evaluation system to replace APPR.
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Establishment of a transparent communication process that ensures members are well-informed and have adequate time to review agreements prior to ratification.
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Strengthening labor-management practices to better protect staff from student-related injuries and ensure appropriate support systems are in place.
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Integration of Unit 9 members into Unit 1 to ensure all individuals are compensated in a manner that reflects their professional expertise, recognized as educators rather than hourly employees, and provided with the same well-earned and essential benefits to which they deserve.
With your support, I will leverage my experience, knowledge, and commitment to advocate for a fair, safe, and professional working environment for all members. I respectfully ask for your vote and your trust in this important election.
Please feel free to contact me directly with any questions. I look forward to connecting with you and to the opportunity to serve as your new Western Suffolk BOCES Faculty Association President.
Sincerely,
Robert Scavo

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Candidate for Vice President           Larry Cimino

My name is Larry Cimino, and I am running as the incumbent for Vice President of the Western Suffolk BOCES Faculty Association.
It has been an honor and a privilege to serve on the Executive Board for the past six years. I have truly valued this experience and look forward to the opportunity to continue serving our members.
During my tenure, I have worked to elevate the profile of our union-wide Health and Safety Committee while actively advising and advocating on critical issues, including indoor air quality (IAQ), water testing, mercury vapor, asbestos abatement, and overall school and staff safety.
In addition to my work in health and safety, I have previously served as a Building Representative and as a member of the Audit Committee, helping to support transparency and accountability within our union.
I have participated in numerous professional seminars focused on school safety, including trainings aligned with New York State Emergency S.H.E.L.L. protocols. These experiences ensure that I remain current with best practices and compliance standards.
A key strength I bring to this role is my ability to maintain strong, professional, and collaborative relationships with building principals and Maintenance and Operations leadership. These partnerships support proactive problem-solving and foster effective communication across departments.
I remain committed to advocating for the well-being of our members while promoting a culture of preparedness, collaboration, and mutual respect.
Thank you for your consideration,
Larry Cimino