Poffenberger resigns Katonah-Lewisboro school board seat

Jon Poffenberger

By JEFF MORRIS 

Jon Poffenberger, a trustee on the Katonah-Lewisboro Board of Education since May 2024, is resigning effective April 25.

Poffenberger filed a resignation letter with District Clerk Kimberly Monzon on March 26 and made the announcement at that day’s board meeting. He cited a new job that will require more of his time as his reason for resigning. 

“It’s been a privilege to serve on the board and contribute to the work of supporting KLSD students, staff, and the broader community,” Poffenberger said. “The community deserves someone in this role who can attend every meeting, and at this time, I’m not able to make that commitment.”

In the May 21, 2024, school board election, Poffenberger received the third most votes, and was elected to fill the remaining year of a trustee position that had been vacated when Liz Gereghty resigned from the board the previous year. That position had been filled temporarily by veteran former trustee William Rifkin. 

Poffenberger was promptly sworn in on May 22 to fill the existing vacancy, with his term running only through June 30, 2025.

In May 2025, Poffenberger ran for a full term in an uncontested election for three open seats, along with newcomers Arwen Thomas Belloni and Carolyn Snell. He was sworn in again on July 1, 2025, to a term that would have ended June 30, 2028.

After being notified of Poffenberger’s resignation, the board discussed the matter and determined that leaving the seat vacant until the May 19, 2026, election is the best path forward. 

Once again, this year’s ballot will include three trustee positions: two three-year terms, running July 1, 2026 through June 30, 2029, and one to fill the balance of the term vacated by Poffenberger — May 19, 2026 through June 30, 2028. 

The other two seats that will be on the ballot this year are those currently held by board President Lorraine Gallagher and by Bill Swertfager, both of whose terms expire on June 30.

Anyone wishing to run for a seat on the board must file a nominating petition with the district clerk for their name to appear on the ballot. The deadline to submit a nominating petition is Monday, April 20, by 5 p.m. Each nominating petition must be signed by at least 25 qualified voters of the district. 

The district clerk may be contacted via email at kmonzon@klschools.org or by phone at 914-763-7020, to schedule an appointment to obtain a packet.