My history with Pocantico Hills began over 30 years ago when my parents first moved to the district. As a proud Pocantico alum, I returned to the community in 2013 with my husband, Chris, and our daughter Olivia, who is now in 8th grade. Since then, our younger daughters, Maddie (4th grade) and Charlotte (Kindergarten), have also become Hawks. Having children across multiple grades gives me a unique and valuable perspective on how students grow and progress—from JPK through elementary school and into middle school, all the way to high school selection.

My academic background includes studies in Business and Spanish at The College of New Jersey (TCNJ), and I earned my MBA in Marketing and Communication Systems from Baruch. Professionally, I bring over 16 years of experience in Member Retention and Engagement at Consumer Reports, a nonprofit organization. There, I manage budgets, analyze data, and most importantly, listen to what our members need and translate those insights into action—skills I know will serve me well on the Pocantico Hills Board of Education.

As a dedicated Poco parent, I’ve served as a class parent many times and have had the privilege of holding the role of Vice President of the PTA for several terms. Over the years, I’ve had the opportunity to connect with many families, faculty, and staff—whether at sporting events, aftercare pickup, seasonal concerts, the pool, or simply in the school hallways. Every interaction reminds me of the deep love and pride we all share for this special school and community.

As a board member, I would be committed to enriching academic rigor while fostering a nurturing environment where students feel supported to challenge themselves. I believe, as do many others at Poco, in equipping our students with strong foundational skills—critical thinking, communication, and collaboration—that they will carry with them into high school, college, and beyond. Our children deserve an education that not only meets today’s standards but also prepares them for tomorrow’s opportunities. 

It would be an honor to bring my experience, dedication, and perspective to the school board—to not only support the students, families, and staff who make Pocantico Hills such a wonderful place to learn and grow, but also to foster meaningful engagement across our community. I believe that when families, educators, and administrators work together, we create the strongest foundation for our children’s success—both in and out of the classroom

I’m running for a seat on the Pocantico Hills Board of Education because I believe in dreaming big, taking action, and being a strong voice for our students, faculty, and community.

Pocantico is one of the most unique school districts in New York—not just because of what happens in our classrooms, but because of the strong, connected community that surrounds them. This isn’t just a school district. It’s a place where families grow, friendships form, and neighbors rally around a shared purpose. Whether or not you currently have a child in the school, you can feel the heartbeat of Pocantico in everything we do.

My family moved here from Brooklyn seven years ago, and we live right across the street from the school. My wife, Alyson Morilla, teaches Family and Consumer Science. Our older daughters, Clover and Marni, were educated at Poco, and our youngest, Phoebe, is now a thriving 4th grader with Mrs. Doane.

Our roots here run deep. As a family, we’ve built sets for school plays, set up for dances, planted flowers around campus, and launched fundraising drives during the holidays. I’ve also worked to strengthen our Community Adult Programming by launching the adult pickleball initiative. Pocantico is more than a district—it’s our home.

Professionally, I’ve spent my career working with creative leaders in the arts, entertainment, and professional sports industries. My job has always been about helping people grow—amplifying their impact, building strategic partnerships, and bringing big ideas to life. I know how to rally support and make things happen, and I’m excited to bring that experience to the Pocantico Board of Education.

We live in a rapidly evolving world, and the Board must lead with vision—equipping our students and faculty with the tools they need to thrive in the future. I believe in bold thinking, collaborative planning, and action that moves us forward.

Pocantico may be small in size, but our spirit is enormous. The connection between school and community is what makes us truly special—and it’s something worth celebrating and strengthening. I want every initiative from our Board to inspire—to help all of us, whether in the school or beyond its walls, feel seen, heard, and empowered to make a difference.

It would be the honor of a lifetime to serve this extraordinary community on the Board of Education.

Charlie is a 34-year resident of Pocantico Hills, where he and his spouse have raised three children who all attended Pocantico Hills School. Deeply committed to the community, Charlie has served on the Board of Education for a total of 16 years (2000–2006 and 2015–present), including four years as Board President.

Professionally, Charlie works in finance and brings a thoughtful, analytical approach to his role on the board. He is also a lifelong learner who values education and strives to ensure all students in the district have access to a high-quality, well-rounded academic experience.

Charlie remains dedicated to maintaining the district’s tradition of excellence while thoughtfully navigating the challenges and opportunities of the future.

Joe McGrath is a parent of two children, one a current Pocantico student and the other a Pocantico graduate.  He is quick to point out that he represents all students and families in the district with the perspective of what is, what was, and what could be. 

To facilitate that mission, he has over 3 decades of experience working in education. He has been a teacher for special education middle school students, community outreach programs and college courses.  His resume contains over 20 years in district leadership roles consisting of Technology Director, interim Superintendent and currently as an Assistant Superintendent and CIO for large K-12 district. He brings a depth of knowledge on how schools operate and current trends and requirements from the State Education Department.

He holds advanced degrees in School Supervision and Administration and Urban Multicultural Education and is licensed in both Special Education and School District Administration in New York State.

As a current board member seeking re-election, Joe is proud of the meaningful progress that Pocantico has made during his six years as a Trustee. These accomplishments include keeping taxes comparatively low, significant technology and facility upgrades—such as security and communications improvements, Solar panels, updated classroom spaces, revitalized tennis and pickleball courts, improved academic outcomes, facilitating the meaningful but balanced use of technology in the classroom, increased use of standard metrics to measure our progress, the JPK program, the portrait of a graduate and resources to address student academic, physical and mental wellness.

Joe is quick to highlight the importance of respectful dialog, active listening and reflection as we move to the next level of work for the district.  “As we continue to look for ways to support our student’s staff and community, we also need to be mindful of changing needs, trends and concerns and be proactive with solutions.” He remains committed to building strong relationships across the district and expanding opportunities for students, families, and community members. 

Joe looks forward to the opportunity to continue serving the district he has such affinity for with integrity, innovation, and a deep commitment to student success.  "Pocantico is a special place”, he said, and “I am very grateful to have been part of the district’s progress and hope to be able to continue this amazing work.”

My name is Lauren Alexander.  I have been an educator for the last 16 years, a POCO parent of two young children, and an active community member.

From my many years in the classroom, I know the value of strengthening community connections from an early age, as well as from within my personal life, with two young children in the district. As someone deeply rooted in both classroom instruction and student development, I believe it’s essential to bridge our small school’s close-knit culture with the opportunities of the larger educational community. I will advocate for our students’ created connection to the broader community with social, civic, and academic experiences; paired with this is the connection between students at all levels, which is why I will support an initiative to connect elementary and middle school students with peers and buddy programs across schools. Finally, I want to lead an outreach program that links our schools with local organizations and businesses to enhance learning beyond the walls of the classroom. 

I also think it’s critical to align Board decisions with the classroom for impact that scales at all levels of instruction. With 16 years of direct, hands-on teaching experience, I understand how board-level decisions resonate—or fall short—within the classroom. I will ensure that every policy and budget decision is filtered through a key question: How does this help students and teachers directly? I will also use insight and observations from other successful districts, and help tailor programs to fit our District’s unique needs. Lastly, I will help balance and preserve the best of what makes our school special, while pushing for new innovation and access to new opportunities. 

Our school—lovingly referred to as POCO—is a gem. It thrives on tight-knit relationships, individual attention, and a culture of care. This must be maintained by protecting the core values that define us: safety, inclusion, and academic rigor. Next, we must enhance the student experience by expanding extracurriculars, Arts, and STEM opportunities, while developing more college and career prep resources. 

I’m running for the Board of Education to be a bridge—between educators and policymakers, between our school and the broader community, and most importantly, between the present and a more empowered future for our students.