July 15, 2025 | By Kellen M. Quigley | oleantimesherald.com
Pictured above: Salamanca Board of Education members Theresa Ray (left) and Kerry John were re-elected as president and vice president, respectively, for the 2025–26 school year.
SALAMANCA — The Salamanca Board of Education held its annual reorganizational meeting July 1, re-electing Theresa Ray as president and Kerry John as vice president.
For the first time in several years, no new members were joining the board for the first time. John, who was re-elected in May to a five-year term, took his oath of office.
Ray has held the position of board president since 2015 and has been a board member since 2009, when she originally began serving as vice president.
“I think of it as a tremendous honor, and I love serving next to Kerry and all of you,” she said. “It’s one of the best experiences of my life.”
Ray said she loves the Salamanca district and tries to do whatever she can to promote it. She thinks they’re the best school board in the state because they think outside the box and are willing to listen to other ideas.
“We don’t like to hear criticism, but when we do, we certainly take it and make everything better, at least to the best of our ability,” she added. “If there’s ideas for improvement or changes that we need, let us know.”
John was re-elected as the board’s vice president for the fifth year in a row. He has been a board member since 2015.
“Thank you to all my colleagues for your trust in me again as vice president. I really appreciate it,” he said. “Congratulations to Theresa Ray on being president again.”
The other board members in attendance also congratulated Ray and John.
Christian Reiller said they are fortunate to have them representing the students. Tracy Pacini said she couldn’t imagine it any other way.
Dr. Mark Beehler, district superintendent, who also took his oath July 1, also congratulated Ray and John, adding that there is a lot to be said for consistency and it’s one of the factors that makes the school board as effective as it is.
“I can’t say that everybody always agrees with each other all the time, but having consistency and individuals on the school board who are actually here for the students and not for other outside interests makes all the difference in the world,” he said.
Beehler also echoed Ray’s sentiments that he would put Salamanca’s school board up against any school board in Western New York — “and I sincerely mean that, not just because you’re my boss,” he added.
