The 2025 school board election was historic. For the first time in memory, a write-in candidate, Kenny Jin, defeated the administration’s hand-picked choice, Jennifer Camhi, with 811 votes to 694. That upset sent a clear message: Jericho voters are ready to challenge the old guard and demand accountability.
Next May, the stakes get even higher. Two seats, held by Jill Citron and Dr. Divya Balachandar, are up for election in 2026. Both trustees have long sided with the previous 30-year administration, often repeating the familiar refrain: “this is how we’ve always done it.” The 2026 vote will decide whether Jericho doubles down on the status quo or builds on the momentum for change.
Why Run for the Board?
Your local school board determines how children are educated and how tax dollars are spent. The Jericho Board of Education has full legal authority over district operations, including:
- Hiring and evaluating the superintendent
- Approving contracts and collective bargaining agreements
- Setting policy and enforcing ethical standards
- Overseeing the budget and aligning spending with student achievement
Board members are state officers, not ceremonial figures. They are accountable for ensuring Jericho schools serve the community, not just the administration.
New Leadership, Higher Stakes
Jericho has already undergone major turnover. This summer saw the hiring of new administrators across multiple departments. Most importantly, the board appointed Dr. Robert L. Kravitz as the next Superintendent of Schools, effective July 1, 2025, after a six-month national search.
Dr. Kravitz brings two decades of leadership experience and a strong résumé. His arrival marks a new chapter. But whether this chapter becomes a story of accountability or another cycle of rubber-stamping depends entirely on the board.
Future contract renewals, including the superintendent’s, will be decided by trustees. An accountable board will scrutinize performance and ensure decisions are rooted in what is best for students, parents, and taxpayers. A complacent board will default to politics and tradition.
Accountability in Action
This summer, the board faced a serious test of its role as the community’s watchdog. At the July 2025 meeting, the Board of Education voted on whether to authorize litigation to protect the district from actions by a former employee. Three trustees voted to proceed. Two trustees, Dr. Divya Balachandar and Jill Citron, voted against pursuing legal action.
That vote should concern every parent and taxpayer. Why would trustees oppose protecting the district from potential harm? Were their decisions based on the community’s best interests, or were personal motives involved? These are the questions voters must demand answers to before the next election.
A school board’s duty is clear: act for the welfare of the district, not for relationships, alliances, or political convenience. When trustees decline to defend the district, they are failing that duty.
The Record of Jill Citron
The 2025 litigation vote was not Jill Citron’s first failure of judgment. Her conduct during the Cantiague Elementary renaming controversy in early 2025 revealed a pattern of manipulation and disregard for governance.
- Admission of Procedural Failure: At the February 11, 2025 meeting, Citron acknowledged there was no policy for renaming schools, yet insisted on moving forward anyway: “I’m happy to adopt a policy on naming after we do this renaming of Cantiague for Hank.” This was a deliberate bypass of process to push through a predetermined outcome.
- Misuse of Legal Doctrine: She invoked res ipsa loquitur — a negligence doctrine — to argue that renaming required no justification. This distorted legal reasoning was used to cut off debate and silence community concerns.
- Manipulation of Public Input: Citron admitted to soliciting only favorable feedback while avoiding outreach to those who might oppose renaming. She engineered applause, standing ovations, and a one-sided discussion to create the illusion of broad support.
- Dismissal of Governance: When challenged, Citron brushed aside concerns by declaring: “We can do whatever we want.” That statement reflected not only arrogance but a clear disregard for democratic process and ethical leadership.
The result was a pre-written resolution to rename Cantiague after the retiring superintendent, despite overwhelming opposition from the community.
This record makes one thing clear: Jill Citron has repeatedly misused her position, undermined transparency, and acted in ways that erode trust. Her seat is not just up for re-election in 2026. It is up for accountability.
How to Run in 2026
- Eligibility: Candidates must be U.S. citizens, at least 18, residents of Jericho for at least one year, and not employed by the district or living with another board member.
- Petitions: A nominating petition with at least 25 signatures (or 2% of last year’s voters, whichever is greater) must be filed with the District Clerk. For 2025, the deadline was April 21, so expect similar dates in 2026.
- Campaigning: Candidates must disclose contributions and expenses. Spending above $500 requires reporting to both the District Clerk and the Commissioner of Education.
- Election Day: School board and budget votes are held the third Tuesday in May. In 2026, that will likely be May 19. If the budget fails, a revote would occur in June.
Why 2026 Matters
The 2025 election proved the community’s voice is stronger than political tradition. Voters passed the budget and two propositions, but they also showed they will not blindly follow the administration’s slate.
The 2026 election is about more than two seats. It is about whether Jericho ensures continuity, transparency, and accountability under new leadership, or reverts to decades of “this is how we’ve always done it.”
Parents, taxpayers, and community members who want a stronger, more accountable school district should be thinking now about who will run, who will support, and how to build on the victory that began with Kenny Jin.
Jericho has turned a page. Let’s make sure the next chapter is written by trustees who answer to the community, not to politics.
Resources for Potential Candidates
If you are considering running for the Jericho Board of Education in 2026, the New York State School Boards Association has a clear primer: Running for the School Board.
Petition Requirements and Minimum Signatures
Based on 2025 trustee election results:
- Total ballots cast: 1,505 (811 for Kenny Jin, 694 for Jennifer Camhi).
- Jericho policy requires the greater of 25 signatures or 2 percent of voters in the last annual election.
- Two percent of 1,505 = 30.1, rounded up to 31 signatures minimum.
Practical target: Collect 45 to 60 verified signatures to protect against disqualifications.
What the Petition Must Include
- Candidate’s name and residence.
- The vacancy being sought, including term length and the incumbent’s name (if any).
- The residence of each signer.
- Signatures from qualified district voters.
- Date next to each signature
- Witness Attestation on each page of signatures
Blank petitions are available from the District Clerk, Victor Manuel (Assistant Superintendent of Business Affairs) vmanuel@jerichoschools.org or (516) 203-3600 ext. 3214.
Timeline Guide
- In 2025, the filing deadline for central, union free, and common districts was April 21. Expect a similar date in 2026.
- The election and budget vote are held the third Tuesday in May. In 2026, this will likely be May 19.
- If the budget fails, a revote occurs on the third Tuesday in June.
Tip: Verify that each signer is a qualified district voter. Double-check that all names and addresses are legible, and use original ink signatures.
