The annual Board of Education election is on Tuesday, May 20, 2025 (1-9 p.m. in the CDHS Distance Learning Room). Click here for voting information.
There are four candidates running for three open seats as the terms of current Board members Todd Hilgendorff, James H. McManus III, and Cheryl Moore are set to expire on June 30, 2025. All three seats are three-year, non-paid terms ending in June 2028.
About the Candidates
The four candidates will be listed on the ballot as follows (voters should select three or write in a candidate):
Each candidate was asked to submit a brief bio to introduce themselves to voters. Learn more about the Board of Education candidates below (listed in the order they will appear on the ballot):
Matt Maraglio
My name is Matt Maraglio, and I would like an opportunity to represent you on the Cairo Durham School Board. I was born and raised in Greene County and, together with my wife, decided to buy a home and grow our roots in Cairo in 2015. I have Associate's and Bachelor's degrees from SUNY Environmental Science and Forestry and have spent a nearly 20 year career working to both help people wisely use the natural resources around us and to empower local governments to reach their potential. With 2 children in the district, a public school teacher for a spouse and board level experience at the state and local levels, I would like to work to ensure that: 1.) all students receive equitable access to a robust, challenging and appropriate education; 2.) our teachers are adequately supported, appropriately empowered, well trained, and fairly compensated; 3.) our tax dollars are wisely stewarded while providing for strong public communication and input; and 4.) that we respectfully challenge ourselves, as a board, to continuously improve and to not necessarily accept the status quo. I humbly ask for your support and, if elected, your partnership in improving the Cairo-Durham Central School District.
James McManus III
My name is James McManus, and I am seeking re-election to the Cairo-Durham School Board. I am a lifelong resident of Cairo and a graduate of Cairo-Durham High School. I graduated from SUNY Maritime College in 2005 and have spent a majority of my career as a Merchant Marine Officer. I have a wonderful wife, Felicia, and two children who I hope to see graduate from Cairo-Durham.
My original intention for seeking a seat on the Board was to advocate for parents, like myself, who felt their voices were not being heard. Since being elected, I have done my best to be a voice for parents, students and staff members.
I hope to continue to be a part of the improvements that we have seen in the district. And as long as I have a seat on the Board, the residents of Cairo will have a voice there.
Todd Hilgendorff
I graduated from CD in 1998 and then earned a BS in biology from Cornell University and a MS in education from the College of St. Rose. I have worked in education for 20 years. For eight years, I taught MS science in Guilderland CSD. Since 2013, I have worked in educational leadership at Greenville CSD, first as HS principal, then as Director of Curriculum, and most recently as Assistant Superintendent for Business. At the same time, I’ve enjoyed being the Rotary Youth Exchange Officer as a way of building connections between the school and community. Education is not just my profession, but also my passion. I come from a family where an importance was always placed on education. As a CD BOE member, I am a 3rd generation board member following in the footsteps of my mother and grandfather, who both served on C-D’s board at different times. I value creating relationships between school and community and developing programs to serve the varying needs and interests of our youth. I’m proud to be part of our board and value the different perspectives we bring to the table while at the same time sharing a common goal of making Cairo-Durham the best it can be for our students. As a Round Top resident, I hope to be reelected as a board member so that I can continue to use my expertise and knowledge of education to serve as a member of a team dedicated to continually improving our school.
Cheryl Moore
I was raised in Otsego County in a community much like this one, then attended the University of Albany, earning a BA in English (Education). In 2019 I earned an MA in Learning with Emerging Technologies from Empire State College. My partner has taught at Cairo-Durham Elementary since 2002, and we moved to Cairo in 2015. I am interested in continuing my Board service to make positive contributions to District leadership as an advocate for parents, students, and employees.
My strengths include valuable leadership with drive and compassion, project management, and communication skills, as well as critical thinking, teamwork, and standards for high-quality work. Our district must continue to build trust, collaboration, and shared drive for excellence among board members, families, students, and administration. I am driven to do what I can so that we can live up to our motto of “Expect Excellence.”