East Meadow Board of Ed welcomes new trustee, elects new leaders

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After the East Meadow community elected a new member of the Board of Education in May, the board officially installed her and appointed a new leader on July 6.

Alisa Baroukh, 40, was sworn in as the board’s newest trustee after defeating seven-year incumbent Joseph Danenza, 61, two months ago. Baroukh has a strong following in the district’s Parent Teacher Associations, especially the Barnum Woods Elementary School PTA, where she served on the executive board as treasurer. She was one of three parents selected to revamp the district’s elementary-level report cards, making it easier for parents to understand their children’s scores.

She was also a member of the East Meadow Parents for Full Day Kindergarten group, which was instrumental in establishing the district’s full kindergarten program in 2015-16. As a strong supporter of the opt-out movement opposing Common Core-based state exams, Baroukh pledged during her campaign for a board seat to back parents’ rights to choose whether their children should sit for or refuse to take the tests. She was the only candidate vying for Danenza’s seat who still has children in district schools.

“We’re looking forward to working together as a new board,” Baroukh said, “and to bring the community together in a cohesive way to continue to improve the lives of the children in the district.”

Baroukh was born and raised in East Meadow, and still lives in the community. After earning a degree in geography from Hofstra University, she returned as an adjunct professor. A corporate accountant for the past 16 years, she vowed to ensure that tax dollars would be spent wisely, and to properly implement the $44.2 million bond residents approved in March.

“I feel incredibly optimistic about this upcoming school year,” she said. “I think we have a great leadership, and things are looking up for the district.”

The board appointed Matthew Melnick, 39, vice president. Melnick, an attorney who beat out six-year incumbent Jeffrey Rosenking in last year’s elections, has three young children, one attending Barnum Woods Elementary School. He has lived in East Meadow for eight years, and previously told the Herald, “I want everything I do to benefit my own children and all of the children in the district.” 

Scott Eckers, 36, who ran unopposed in this year’s election in a joint campaign with Baroukh, secured the board president’s seat after serving as a trustee for three years. He published East Meadow’s first comprehensive history last year. Eckers is a strong supporter of art and music programs, and has become involved in the district’s theater programs.

Marcee Rubinstein, the board’s immediate past president, reflected on her presidency, during which the body’s most notable accomplishments were the passage of the bond and the appointment a new district superintendent, Dr. Kenneth Card.

“As a trustee now, I look forward to working with Dr. Card,” Rubinstein said. “I also look forward to implementing the bond issue and building the best school district for the children.”