Palumbo and Pierson Elected to Southampton School Board

Amy Pierson and Nicholas Palumbo came out on top during Tuesday's Southampton School Board election, becoming the newest members of the seven-member board.

They were elected to five-year terms. There were six candidates in all, all first timers; incumbents Rev. Marvin Dozier and David Corwith declined to seek reelection.

"I feel wonderful," Pierson said after the results were announced. "I'm hoping that I can bring all that I possibly can to this opportunity."

Pierson, 38, is an elementary school teacher; however, she is currently unemployed. She taught kindergarten and third grade for a year each at Southampton Elementary School and she taught remedial reading for three years at Tuckahoe Common School and was a teaching assistant there for one year.

Palumbo said he was excited and surprised and "looking forward to getting to work."

Palumbo, 45, is a Navy veteran, serving as an officer from 1987 to 1991, and has been the director of physical plant at in Riverhead for the past nine years. He oversees all physical operations of the campus facilities and grounds. Prior to working at the community college, he held a similar position at Stony Brook University.

Dozier said that after 11 and a half years on the school board but was ready to move on. "I thoroughly enjoy the work and watching the response from the kids, the staff, administrators and fellow board members," he said.

"I'll always be around and be involved," he added, noting that he has a child entering fifth grade at the intermediate school.

Dozier is the director of operations for and the pastor of in Mattituck.

The vote tally was:

- 423
 - 423
- 299 - 224
- 203
- 170