Rochester Education Association Endorsed School Candidates
The union backed four candidates for the upcoming Rochester school board election.
Updated on Sept. 21, 2026 in Administration
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The Rochester Education Association has endorsed four specific candidates for the upcoming school board race. Among the selected group are three incumbents and one newcomer competing for four open seats.
Why it matters
The union-led endorsement process aims to identify candidates who align with their stated goals of supporting teachers and students. The selection follows a rigorous screening process where participants were scored on their policy responses.
A total of 10 candidates are vying for four open seats in the November 2026 school board election. The Rochester Education Association chose four individuals, including three incumbents, based on their screening performance.
The players
Rochester Education Association
This organization represents local educators and conducts formal screening processes to evaluate school board candidates.
Josh Koestler
A candidate who previously worked as a district employee for nine years and has urged voters to support his opponents.
Cathy Nathan
An incumbent currently seeking re-election to the school board with union support.
Jean Marvin
An incumbent who has received an endorsement from the local education union.
Justin Cook
An incumbent educator and school board member who is currently endorsed by the local union.
The details
The Rochester Education Association endorsed Cathy Nathan, Jean Marvin, Justin Cook, and Ana Folpe for the board. Notably, candidate Josh Koestler publicly requested that voters support the union-endorsed candidates, arguing that his own progressive platform would likely detract from their chances.
Timeline
September 18, 2026: Josh Koestler released a statement regarding his candidacy.
September 26, 2026: A candidate forum will be held at Christ United Methodist Church.
October 1, 2026: A candidate forum will take place at the Heinz Center.
November 2026: The school board election is scheduled to occur.
Culture Shift
These endorsements reflect an ongoing trend of local unions utilizing structured screening processes to influence the composition of school boards. This approach highlights the broader effort by advocacy groups to ensure board member alignment with teacher-focused policy objectives.
Residents should note that these endorsements may influence the policy direction of the school district regarding teacher support and student resources. Voters can assess the candidates directly at the upcoming forums scheduled at Christ United Methodist Church and the Heinz Center.
The takeaway
Voters are encouraged to attend candidate forums to weigh the union-endorsed positions against the platforms of independent candidates. Evaluating these differences is essential for understanding how future board decisions might impact the local school environment.
Further reading
Find more information on local policy initiatives by visiting the Administration section of our site.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Rochester Post Bulletin.
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