Board of Education Election May 19: What You Need to Know
Board of Education Election: What you need to know, who the candidates are, and the stakes of the election
Sarena Eaton · 2026-05-14
As residents of the Marathon Central School District prepare to head to the polls on Tuesday, May 19, 2026, the election for the Board of Education (BOE) stands as a pivotal moment for the community. With three available seats and a diverse field of six candidates, voters have the opportunity to shape the district’s leadership during a period of significant fiscal challenges.
Voting Details:
Date: Tuesday, May 19, 2026
Time: 12:00 PM to 9:00 PM
Location: Marathon Junior/Senior High School, specifically in Room 107 (the CSE suite)
Absentee Ballots: Requests must be made to the District Office by May 18 at 3:30 PM and returned by 5:00 PM on election day.
Meet the Candidates
The six candidates will appear on the ballot in the following order:
Jared Lapin: A Chief Strategy Officer with extensive experience in leading large-scale revenue strategy and modernizing operations. He is focused on bringing fiscal accountability and long-term planning to the board.
Michael McAllister: An Area Manager with 16 years of residence in Marathon. His platform emphasizes restoring jobs and programs lost to the budget deficit and ensuring responsible, balanced budgets.
Kimberly Moore: A 2010 Marathon graduate and musician who teaches art and music. She has experience in finance as a church treasurer and is dedicated to helping students develop their skills.
Richard Stearns: An incumbent with three years of board service. He is self-employed and a co-founder of the local "Marathon Cares Group".
Gabrielle McCracken: A lifelong resident and district employee for the last three years. She is eager to remain involved and give back to the school community as she moves on from her current professional role.
Kristin Kashuba: A high school principal and 2005 Marathon graduate. She brings 15 years of experience in classroom and administrative roles and hopes to share her expertise with the district.
The Stakes for Marathon
This year’s election follows the Board’s adoption of a $23.4 million budget proposal for the 2026-2027 school year. The incoming board will be responsible for critical decisions regarding the $1 million anticipated revenue shortage and nearly $2.2 million in proposed cost reductions affecting staffing, athletic programs, and extracurricular clubs. Community engagement remains a top priority as the district seeks to restore stability and trust.