2026 Board Election
Three candidates will be elected to the Board of Education during the District's annual vote on Tuesday, May 19 (7am - 9pm, Middle/High School Gymnasium). They will serve a three-year term beginning July 1, 2026.
The candidates will appear in the following order on the ballot:
Shanna Fraser
Shanna Fraser
1. Please state your background which may include both personal and professional information:
My husband, Andy and I moved to Scottsville 16 years ago to raise our children. Now, our daughter is a graduating senior and our son is in 8th grade at Wheatland-Chili. I work for the Town of Wheatland as the Recreation Supervisor and Senior Center Coordinator. I am currently finishing my twelfth year as a member of the Wheatland-Chili Board of Education, for the last eleven years I have also served as the Vice President of the Wheatland Chili Board of Education. During this time, I have been an active member of the WC PTA and WC Sports Boosters also. It is my pleasure to serve our community in all of these different roles.
2. Why are you running for election to the Board?
I am running for re-election to the WC BOE because I am a strong advocate for our students. Every decision that I make as a BOE member starts with one question – “What is best for our students?” I research the topics and collaborate with other stakeholders, including my fellow BOE members to be certain we are making well informed decisions.
3. What do you see as the major challenges facing the Wheatland-Chili Central School District over the next three years?
Public education in New York State faces several significant challenges, including outdated tax cap and state aid formulas and the costs associated with the electric vehicle (EV) bus mandate. At the same time, students’ academic, social, and emotional needs continue to grow, increasing the need for support for both students and their families. Schools are navigating financial pressures, staffing shortages, enrollment shifts, and rising student needs simultaneously. These challenges are not caused by a single issue, but by long‑standing structural problems in public education that have been intensified by the pandemic and changing demographics.
Courtney Panek
Courtney Panek
1. Please state your background which may include both personal and professional information:
My name is Courtney Panek, a West Henrietta native who frequently visited Scottsville from a young age. I loved the small, close-knit Wheatland-Chili community so much that when I had the opportunity to raise my family here, I jumped at the chance.
I am the proud parent of a Wheatland-Chili graduate, a 6th grader and a 1st grader in the district. My experiences as a parent and community member give me a meaningful perspective on our schools.
I earned my bachelor’s degree in business management from Roberts Wesleyan University and work as a Benefits Specialist at a nearby school district, supporting staff and operations.
2. Why are you running for election to the Board?
I am running for the Board of Education because I care deeply about the future of our schools and our community. As both a parent and a school district professional, I understand how important it is to create an environment where students can succeed, all staff feel supported, and families feel heard.
I want to contribute to thoughtful, transparent decision-making that prioritizes student outcomes while being mindful of community needs. I believe in collaboration, open communication, and working together to ensure that every student in Wheatland-Chili has access to a high-quality education and the opportunities they deserve.
3. What do you see as the major challenges facing the Wheatland-Chili Central School District over the next three years?
Over the next three years, I believe the Wheatland-Chili Central School District will face important challenges, including maintaining strong academic outcomes, addressing evolving student needs, supporting and retaining quality staff, and managing financial resources responsibly.
Balancing budgets while continuing to provide high-quality programs will require careful planning and community engagement. Ensuring students receive the academic, social, and emotional support they need will remain a priority.
Strong communication and trust between the district and community are essential. By working together and staying focused on students, the district can navigate these challenges and continue to grow.
James Musshafen
James Musshafen
1. Please state your background which may include both personal and professional information:
My wife and I have been proud to reside in the community of Wheatland, NY for 30 years, and our two children graduated from WCCS. I have been an active member of the community participating in activities and functions specifically related to the school district, as well as committees associated with the Town of Wheatland and my local church. My professional career involved working for great companies such as Bosch and Eastman Kodak and over that 40 + year timeframe I have had the opportunity to develop and lead teams responsible for servicing and supporting customers across the U.S. and worldwide. I hold a Bachelor’s degree in Business, Economics and Marketing.
2. Why are you running for election to the Board?
I am seeking re-election to the Wheatland-Chili Board of Education because, as a committed resident and current board member, I believe it is my responsibility to dedicate my time and experience to ensure every student can achieve college and/or career-ready aspirations. Our school district and its students are the community’s most important assets, and I am devoted to protecting and enhancing those assets through thoughtful, responsible governance.
I hold myself accountable for the oversight of our schools, prioritizing policies that promote academic excellence, fiscal responsibility, and equitable opportunities for all learners. If re-elected, I will continue to work collaboratively with families, staff, and community stakeholders to prepare our students for success as young adults and contributing members of society.
3. What do you see as the major challenges facing the Wheatland-Chili Central School District over the next three years?
Public education is confronting significant challenges — unfunded mandates, diminishing political consensus, gaps in accountability, and evolving ideologies — that place strain on teaching and learning. The Wheatland-Chili Central School District community must provide high‑quality programs and learning solutions that enable every student to meet or exceed their goals, supported by rigorous measures to monitor student progress and program effectiveness.
We must foster learning environments that accommodate both collaborative and independent thinkers and ensure safe classrooms in which teachers can thrive professionally. Building a stronger, more understanding, and unified partnership among parents, teachers, administrators, and students is essential; this community must hold itself accountable for delivering the highest educational outcomes and responding promptly to opportunities and challenges. These commitments must all be pursued with careful fiscal responsibility to the taxpayers we serve.