Meet Suffern School Board Member Angus Mackenzie, who just announced he will be running for re-election. “It has been my pleasure to serve on the board the last three years and I hope to serve our community! Thank you for that privilege!” said Mackenzie during his re-election announcement.

EDUCATIONAL BACKGROUND: Graduated from Suffern High School and received a bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice & Law Enforcement Administration from St. John’s University. Went on to earn a master’s degree in Public Administration from John Jay College of Criminal Justice and an advanced certificate in police leadership from John Jay College of Criminal Justice.

PROFESSION: Retired. Previous positions include Narcotics Detective with the New York City Police Department, and Deputy Sheriff with the Rockland County Sheriff’s Department.

RESIDENT: Born and raised in Suffern

FAMILY: Married to Amy (also a Suffern High School graduate), with three sons, Angus, grade 9, James, grade 7, and Rory, grade 3, all in the Suffern Central Schools

COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES: Has served as a volunteer football coach for Suffern Midget Mounties, Ramapo PAL Flag Football and Suffern Middle School Football. Has served as Treasurer of the Cherry Lane PTA. Current President-Elect of the Suffern Rotary Club

ELECTED POSITIONS HELD: Union Delegate, New York City Police Department Detectives Endowment Association , Vice-President Board of Education

WHY ARE YOU RUNNING? My wife and I are products of the Suffern Central Schools, as were our fathers. There is nothing like the education and experience of attending the schools in Suffern Central. I want to ensure that the experience that my family has enjoyed will be enhanced for future generations. I would like to continue to work collaboratively with fellow board members to expand and improve special education services for our students, maintain the district’s high level of education by increasing the use of new technologies in classrooms and to achieve optimal results for our students. In addition, I would like to see our programs for English Language Learners expand and culturally responsive teaching in the classroom. I hope to help create a Recovery School program to serve the students who are struggling and recovering from addiction.

ACCOMPLISHMENTS WHILE ON THE BOARD

Brought the Visions program that facilitated the internship of two visually impaired students at Cherry Lane Elementary School.

Former Vice-President of the Board of Education

Helped to develop the SCSD five year strategic plan

Helped to develop the SCSD safety plan

Organized school safety and active shooter training for all SCSD staff and faculty

Member of the Re-Opening Team

Chairperson, Advocacy Committee

Former Chairperson, Strategic Planning Committee

Board Representative Safety Committee

Board Representative of the Strategic Planning Steering Committee