"𝗛𝗲𝗹𝗹𝗼, 𝗺𝘆 𝗻𝗮𝗺𝗲 𝗶𝘀 𝗝𝗼𝗲𝗹le 𝗕𝗼u𝗺𝗲𝗹. I'm running for School Board Ward Five, Seat B.

I've lived in Rochester for 43 years. I've raised five children in the city of Rochester, three of wh three of whom have graduated from Spalding High School. I also am a cheer coach at Spalding, so I work closely with the students every day.

I'm running for school board because I want to make a difference in our schools. I plan to explore options for free lunches for all students in the city of Rochester, because no child should have to learn while they're hungry.

I do plan on making sure that the board is transparent and communication lines are open with families and students.

Through my own experience with special education and my children, I do understand that supports are important. So, I do plan on advocating for those supports in our special education system.

I do believe in our city. I believe in our schools, and I believe in our kids. And I hope I can earn your vote for School Board Ward Five. 𝗧𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗸 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝘀𝗼 𝗺𝘂𝗰𝗵."

Notes:

The Public Information and Community Engagement Office for the City of Rochester is pleased to announce that the Meet the Candidates video series is now available for viewing ahead of the upcoming Municipal Election.

The nonpartisan series introduces voters to candidates for Mayor, City Council, School Board, and Police Commission. Each candidate was given up to three minutes to speak directly to voters, share their priorities, and present their personal message.

To ensure fairness and transparency, all videos were recorded live in a single take, without edits, hosts, or predetermined questions.

The views and opinions expressed in the following video are those of the candidate and do not necessarily reflect the views of the City of Rochester, its elected officials or staff. The content is presented as part of a public information effort to provide equal opportunity for all candidates to address the community.

Transcript was taken directly from the GovTV website closed captioning. AI added bold/italic fonts for emphasis and separated paragraphs where appropriate.

"📣 Hello Ward 5 Neighbors!

My name is Joelle Boumel and I am running for Ward 5 School Board, seat B. I’d like to take a moment to introduce myself and share why I’m passionate about serving our schools and community.

• I have lived in Rochester for 43 years and am a proud graduate of the Rochester School District.
• I am the parent of five children, three of whom have graduated from the district, giving me firsthand understanding of the opportunities and challenges our students face.
• Through my own children’s journeys, I have developed a strong understanding of the special education department and the importance of making sure every student and teacher has the support they need to succeed.
• I currently assistant coach the Spaulding High School cheer team and am proud to mentor our athletes both on and off the mat.
• I also work with the Rochester Child Care Center’s UP after-school program, supporting children across our schools outside of regular classroom hours.
• Over the years, I’ve built strong relationships with many teachers, staff, and families throughout the district.

I believe my experiences as a parent, coach, and advocate for students give me a well-rounded perspective that will serve our district well. My commitment is to listen, collaborate, and put students first while supporting teachers, staff, and families.

Thank you for allowing me the opportunity to represent Ward 5 and continue our community’s tradition of service. I look forward to working together for the success of every student in Rochester. ❤️📚✨"

• Candidate's LinkedIn Profile