The communities of the South Orangetown Central School District are served by a five-member Board of Education. Each Board member is elected by a public vote and serves a three-year term without pay. There are no term limits for Board members.

Board responsibilities are outlined on the Board of Education home page.

Dana Stilley, Ph.D., President
Email | (914) 441-6113

A lifelong Rockland County resident, Dana Stilley, Ph.D., is a Tappan Zee High School alumna and attended South Orangetown schools from kindergarten through graduation. Dr. Stilley holds a Bachelor of Science in Economics and Applied Mathematics from Brown University, a Master of Business Administration in Finance and Management Science from Columbia University and a Doctor of Philosophy in Community College Leadership from Old Dominion University. Dr. Stilley possesses years of experience in the financial industry, education administration and teaching. In addition to serving on the District’s Board of Education, Dr. Stilley is President of the Rockland Negro Scholarship Fund Board of Directors and a board member for Meals on Wheels of Rockland County and Camp Venture. She and her husband have one son who graduated from Tappan Zee High School in June 2021. Dr. Stilley serves on the Board’s Audit Committee/Finance Advisory Council and Policy Committee. Her term ends June 30, 2024.

Leon Jacobs, Vice President
Email | (845) 398-0443

A lifelong Rockland County resident, Leon Jacobs is the father of three Tappan Zee High School graduates. His wife, also an alumna, teaches math at TZHS. Mr. Jacobs has been an Orangetown resident since 1995 and has served the SOCSD Board of Education since July 2006. Additionally, he serves on the SOCSD Audit Committee, Finance Council, District-Wide Safety Committee and District (Facilities) Planning Team. He earned a Bachelor of Science cum laude in Civil Engineering from Northeastern University in Boston in 1985 and a Masters of Science in Construction Management from Brooklyn Polytechnic University in 1988. Mr. Jacobs is a Licensed Professional Engineer in New York, New Jersey, Maryland and Virginia and is a Certified Safety Professional. He manages the northeast operations of an international construction company and manages large public works projects in the New York metropolitan area heavy construction industry. Mr. Jacobs is active in the construction industry and a member of the Civil Engineering Honor Society, Chi Epsilon, the Moles and the American Society of Civil Engineers. His industry peers recognize his leadership skills and have nominated him to serve as an officer or executive member of several construction industry associations and conferences. Mr. Jacobs was previously active with the Cub Scouts, Palisades-Sparkill Baseball League and South Orangetown Little League when his sons were younger. His current term expires June 30, 2023.

Steven Finn
Email

A lifelong Blauvelt resident, Finn attended St. Catharine’s Elementary School, is a Tappan Zee High School alumnus and received his Bachelor of Arts degree in Environmental Planning from Binghamton University. He is an environmental services professional with field and corporate experience in safety, emergency hazmat response, confined space entry and waste management. A married father of two William O. Schaefer Elementary School students, Mr. Finn recently stepped away from his career to focus on full-time fatherhood. He appreciates the strong South Orangetown community, is thankful for the many opportunities that our school district provides and looks forward to giving back. In addition to serving on the Board of Education, Mr. Finn was a class parent at his children’s preschool and is a long-time leadership and development mentor volunteer in New York City. He serves on the Board’s Wellness Committee. Mr. Finn’s term expires June 30, 2025.

Steven Peña
Email | (347) 239-6188

Steven Peña brings more than 10 years of facilities and operations management to his role as a Board of Education and is an active member of the South Orangetown community, serving as a PTA Class Ambassador and youth baseball coach for the Palisades-Sparkill Baseball League. He is a father of four with children attending South Orangetown Middle School, Cottage Lane Elementary School and William O. Schaefer Elementary School. Mr. Peña aspires to make a positive impact in the community he loves and to ensure a bright future for all the kids in the community. He serves on the Board’s Facilities Committee and Wellness Committee. Mr. Peña was elected on March 8, 2022 to fill a seat vacated by a Board member relocation; his term expires June 30, 2023.

David Sansone
Email

David Sansone is married with two school-aged children who attend South Orangetown public schools (South Orangetown Middle School and Cottage Lane Elementary School) and a preschooler. He possesses over 20 years of combined experience in site protection, counterterrorism and incident command system through his service in the U.S. Navy and current positions in law enforcement and the U.S. Coast Guard Reserve. Mr. Sansone holds a supervisory rank in law enforcement and is responsible for policy oversight, officer development and budgetary management. He earned a bachelor’s degree in Criminology from John Jay College and a master’s degree in Urban Policy and Leadership from Hunter College. Mr. Sansone previously volunteered for six years as an on-call peer counselor for first responders, dedicated to preventing and reducing relationship conflicts, substance abuse, and suicide. He is a member of the Blauvelt Knights of Columbus, the American Legion Post #420, and closely involved with the Rockland GAA. Mr. Sansone joined the Board of Education to further serve his country and community as a conduit between families and the District. He serves on the Board’s District-Wide Safety Committee and Policy Committee. Mr. Sansone’s current term expires June 30, 2025.