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For the 3rd time, Niagara Community information Group will be hosting a school board candidate night. NCIG has been hosting monthly discussions of things important to the community, like the school budget, and attracting 50 or more interested residents.
NIAGARA FALLS, NY – The Niagara Community Information Group (NCIG) will host its third annual Niagara Falls City School District School Board Member Candidate Forum on Tuesday, May 12, 2026, at 6:00 p.m. at the Earl Brydges branch of the Niagara Falls Library (1425 Main Street, Niagara Falls, New York).
The forum offers voters a friendly, open setting to meet school board candidates face-to-face. It revives a valuable community tradition paused during the pandemic.
Why This Forum Matters
Seven candidates are competing for four open school board seats. School board members serve multi-year terms and make lasting decisions that shape curriculum, budgets, facilities, and student support. With more candidates than seats, voters have real choices—but only if they show up informed.
“A strong, respectful forum helps voters make informed choices,” said Lawrence Blaber Jr., forum coordinator and NCIG core member. “Showing up and sharing your ideas should be an important part of any campaign.”
This year’s moderator is Terrence Heard, a former Buffalo board member and educator. Questions were developed in collaboration with Niagara Falls Special Education PTA President, Niagara Falls NAACP Education Chair, and reviewed by Prof. David Riley of the Niagara University Political Science department to ensure fairness. Voters are encouraged to share what’s important to them and submit questions for candidates by email: contact@niagaracommunityinfo.org. Selected questions be used for a live Q&A portion.
Confirmed Candidates (as of press time)
Three of the seven candidates have confirmed: Michael Barksdale, Chavonne Ray, and Jockline Pryor. Additional candidates may confirm before May 12. All candidates are welcome, and voters are encouraged to attend regardless of which candidates appear.
(Editor's note: Via Facebook messenger, Jay Vona said this morning he plans to be there. Kristin Grandinetti said she hadn't been invited and didn't know when it was.)
Awareness for Voters
School board elections take place on May 19. Because the campaign season is short, the forum is one of the few chances to compare candidates’ vision and readiness to lead. With four seats open, your vote carries significant weight in determining the board’s direction.
May is Education Month for NCIG
The forum is the centerpiece of a month focused on civic engagement. NCIG also recently hosted a school budget presentation for the community with District representatives and co-sponsored a "Know Your Rights" School Discipline workshop for parents in partnership with the Western New York Law Center, the NAACP of Niagara Falls, Niagara Falls Special Education PTA, and the WNY Education Alliance.
Free and open to all. Come learn, listen, and be part of the conversation.
The event will be livestreamed on Our Schools Channel.
