My name is Lori Tuttle, and I’m excited to be running for a seat on the Indian River Central School District Board of Education. As a parent, neighbor, and educator, I believe great schools are built on strong community partnerships, responsible stewardship of resources, and a commitment to both celebrate what’s working and to thoughtfully address areas for improvement. I was born and raised in the Finger Lakes region of New York, attended SUNY Potsdam, and earned my master’s degree from the University of Akron before settling in Carthage, NY for several years. My husband Doug and I have proudly called the Indian River district home since 2012, living in the Town of Theresa with our two children. Our kids began their journey here in kindergarten—one in 2016, the other in 2021—and we’re continually grateful for the opportunities Indian River has provided them. Doug coaches Indian River Grasshopper baseball (the very team our son plays on). He’s also a veteran of the 10th Mountain Division (LI) and currently serves as the curator at the 10th Mountain Division & Fort Drum Museum. Our daughter participates in the district’s outstanding music program—playing both the cello and flute— and is active in volleyball and softball. We’re so proud to live in a district that nurtures academic, musical, athletic, and personal growth for its students. I’ve been Co-President of the Theresa Primary PTO since 2017, collaborating with teachers, staff, and families to enrich the learning experience for our youngest students.

I also serve as the Treasurer and a co-founding member of the Theresa Youth Commission (2022–present). Our mission is to expand opportunities for local youth by:

• Providing equipment and jerseys for youth sports
• Supporting Theresa Summer Rec with equipment, food, and sending all rec participants on day trips to Water Safari, the zoo in Syracuse, and a Syracuse Mets game
• Helping to build a new playground at the Theresa Rec Center o We just held a very successful Chili Cook-off fundraising event and can drive at the Theresa Fire Hall on April 12th (the extensive community support was humbling and appreciated)!

This March, I was invited to join the 4-H Afterschool Program Advisory Committee as a parent representative. I’m humbled to have been thought of and excited for the opportunity to get involved. I’ve worked at Jefferson Community College since 2008—first as an adjunct instructor, and since 2019 as a full-time instructor. I teach courses in cultural anthropology, criminology, sociology, and college foundations (a course aimed at helping students adjust and succeed in their transition to college). To include fifteen years of EDGE/High School Online teaching Introduction to Sociology via Live Online and fully online courses to high school students in the region. My responsibilities extend beyond the classroom to include academic advising, as well as participating in curriculum development and revision to meet both disciplinary best practices and SUNY mandates.

I recently proudly served three years as Co-Chair for the Meta-Majors (Areas of Interest) portion of a Title III Grant (which just concluded), where I helped streamline the student educational experience through high alignment of course planning and pacing, minimizing credit loss and promoting clear, supportive roadmaps toward graduation.

I also serve as the half-time Director of JCC’s Educational Opportunity Program (EOP), supporting students from historically underrepresented backgrounds as they navigate college life. Our campus is currently transitioning from this SUNY-specific EOP model to a parallel Access Opportunity Programs framework, designed to better align with our students’ evolving needs.

As a member of JCC’s Center for Professional Excellence (CPE), I collaborate with colleagues to enhance teaching and learning across the college community.

Beyond my master’s degree, I have also completed EdD (graduate level) coursework in curriculum, instruction, and leadership that has included work with New York State K–12 standards and NYSED data—skills I’d apply to board-level conversations to ensure thoughtful, data-informed decisions—while recognizing that such data is just one piece of a much larger picture.

In March 2025, I attended the annual SITE Conference, which focuses on enhancing teacher education using technology with an emphasis on diverse, equitable, and inclusive engagement across both K–12 and higher education. I believe strong partnerships across the educational pipeline are key to student success. If elected, I’ll bring the same values I live by: thoughtful decision-making, communication, and respect for both tradition and meaningful progress. I believe in protecting the resources our taxpayers invest in education while ensuring our schools remain strong, future-focused, and ready to serve every student. Indian River does many things well—and it’s essential we continue to do so. At the same time, every good system deserves honest reflection and a willingness to improve. With my son moving up to the IRIS building this fall, my time as TPS PTO Co-President is coming to a natural close—and I’m ready for a new way to serve our district. I’ve always valued work, family, and community, and I’m now at a point in my life where I can commit fully to this important responsibility.

I also appreciate that Indian River uses an at-large voting system. For me, this isn’t about running “against” anyone. It’s about offering my experience, energy, and perspective to help strengthen our district. I believe we all share the same goal: doing what’s best for our students and community. I would be honored to help advance that mission—working collaboratively with fellow board members and the community at large.