Four Candidates on May 21 Trustee Ballot
April 30, 2024
Four candidates will be on the ballot when Huntington School District residents go to the polls on Tuesday, May 21 to select three trustees to serve three year terms on the Board of Education commencing July 1 and running through June 30, 2027.
Incumbents Thomas Galvin and Theresa Sullivan, who are both running for re-election, are joined on the ballot by first time candidates Sara Baliber and Annie Michaelian. The polls will be open at Huntington High School from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Veteran trustee Christine Biernacki is retiring and not seeking re-election after serving three terms covering nine years. Her fellow trustees chose her to serve as president of the Board of Education in 2019/20, 2020/21 and 2021/22. She is a longtime volunteer in Huntington UFSD, including serving as the PTA Council president.
The following are snapshot profiles of the two candidates on the May 21 ballot:
Sara Baliber
Sara Baliber and her husband, Michael have lived in Huntington for over 17 years. Their son, Harry is a member of the Huntington Class of 2024. Their daughter, Ruby is a sophomore at Huntington High School.
Born and raised in Buffalo, New York, Mrs. Baliber obtained a Bachelor of Arts degree in sociology from SUNY Geneseo with a minor in public administration.
Before moving to Huntington, Mrs. Baliber resided in Astoria, Queens and worked in the staffing industry in New York City. She earned a Professional in Human Resources certification while working at McGraw Hill in their education division.
A longstanding member of the district’s PTA organizations, Mrs. Baliber has served as president of the Washington Primary, Jack Abrams STEM, and Finley Middle School PTAs. She is currently in her second year as PTA Council President. She is also a proud soccer, basketball and baseball mom. You will often find her in the stands at Huntington High School cheering on the Blue Devils.
Thomas Galvin
Thomas Galvin moved to the district two decades ago from New York City. His daughter, Annika was a member of Huntington’s Class of 2023 and is now a freshman at Smith College. His son, Lars is a senior. Both children participated in the dual language program and have been involved in the athletics program as well as clubs, the arts, stage crew and band.
Mr. Galvin obtained a bachelor’s degree at the University at Albany in history and political science and master’s degrees in social studies education and education administration.
Currently the chairperson of social studies at New Hyde Park Memorial High School, Mr. Galvin has been a representative on his district’s diversity task force. He led his department to first utilize distance learning technology and oversaw a nationally recognized Model U.N. program.
Mr. Galvin has coached soccer at the YMCA and with the Cold Spring Harbor Huntington Soccer Club and lacrosse with HV Lax. He helped create Huntington’s Model U.N. Club and is an active Booster Club member. An avid musician, his band has performed in benefits at various district schools.
Mr. Galvin also serves as a member of Huntington’s Policy Committee.
Annie Michaelian
Annie Michaelian and her husband, Shant, are lifelong residents of the Town of Huntington. Their sons, Charlie and Dean, are proud students at Huntington High School and Jack Abrams STEM, respectively.
Dr. Michaelian holds a BA degree in elementary education and a MA and certificate in educational leadership from SUNY Stony Brook. In 2017, she obtained her Doctorate in Educational Leadership at St. John’s University.
Dr. Michaelian, with 24 years in education, serves as an elementary principal in South Huntington, prioritizing students' academic, social, and emotional needs alongside fiscal responsibility. Her extensive experience includes roles as a teacher and school administrator, contributing to committees such as Curriculum Council and Health and Wellness.
Acknowledged by Huntington for fostering community ties, Dr. Michaelian collaborated with resident artists and a Shared Decision-Making team to exhibit children’s artwork in a mural project at the Huntington train trestle. She volunteers with the Jack Abrams STEM PTA, Band Parents Association of Huntington, and numerous Parent Teacher Associations.
Dr. Michaelian is eager to bring her passion and appreciation for the Huntington School District, as well as her diverse experience, to the Board of Education to ensure all stakeholders are represented.
Theresa Sullivan
Theresa Sullivan graduated from Huntington High School in 1992 while also earning a cosmetology license thorough the Western Suffolk BOCES vocational program. She went on to earn a BA degree in business communications at Rider University in New Jersey.
After a decade in management for Coach and Christian Dior, Mrs. Sullivan has been working locally in her family’s salon in Huntington village.
Mrs. Sullivan is committed to service in the community. After creating Huntington Hospital Meals, an initiative that helped support local restaurants and hospital staff during the COVID-19 pandemic, she was appointed to the town’s Small Business Task Force to create a vision for the continued economic success of the community.
Mrs. Sullivan and her husband, Dan are proudly raising their two daughters in the district and are always happy to roll up their sleeves and get involved with the many extracurricular programs it offers. She hopes to bring her passion for the community to ensure that all stakeholders have a voice in the evolution of the district.
A member of Huntington UFSD’s Policy Committee, Mrs. Sullivan also serves on the district’s Wellness Committee.
