How will these East Rockaway board of education candidates improve the schools? Read about their ideas.

There are two seats up for election in this year’s East Rockaway board of education race. The election takes place Tuesday, May 16 from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Incumbents Joseph Kilgus and Daniel DeMatteo are not seeking reelection. Dineen Cilluffo and Aspasia Lonergan are running unopposed for three-year terms.

SUB: Dineen Cilluffo

Herald: Why are you running for a seat on the board of education?

Cilluffo: I am running to bring fresh thoughts, out of the box thinking. Putting our children first while protecting our taxpayers. Our schools are the lifeblood of East Rockaway and I am committed to making them even better.

Herald: If elected, what are your top priorities?

Cilluffo: My goal is to serve as a bridge to our community, encouraging communication and collaboration. Addressing the diverse interests of our students and work to provide the resources that would prepare them for college, trade school the military etc.

Herald: What is your background, both professionally and personally?

Cilluffo: I have been married to my husband Mike for 30 years. We moved to East Rockaway in 1997 to raise our family, Gianna class of 2013, Alexandra class of 2015 and Stefano class of 2019. I was employed by the district as a food server for 6 years, and employed by a not-for-profit organization for the last 10 years. I have volunteered for the booster club for 13 years 3 of them as president, as well as many other school and community clubs and events.

Herald: What do you want voters to know about you and your desire to serve on the board of education?

Cilluffo: I take the time to fully educate myself, to listen to all perspectives, which allows me to make informed balanced decisions.

SUB: Asapasia Lonergan

Herald: Why are you running for a seat on the board of education?

Lonergan: I am extremely passionate about East Rockaway and our school system. I want to be a voice for the our children and the community. Graduating from East Rockaway and then raising a family here has only made me love where I live even more. I value our traditions and the small-town feel we have. I want to help incorporate the new ways with the old way, which I believe will help our school systems move forward in a positive direction.

Herald: If elected, what are your top priorities?

Lonergan: I feel that the most important priority is always the children. The safety, education and happiness of our children are always my top concerns. I am also extremely passionate about advocating for the mental health of individuals and groups in our community. I want to be the person that they are able to come to and speak to. I want to be able to listen to the staff and what their needs are; to help East Rockaway be place that everybody wants to be at. A school building is only a structure: it is the students and staff that make it what it is.

Herald: What is your background, both professionally and personally?

Lonergan: I am a mom of four beautiful children, all who graduated from East Rockaway. My youngest is currently a senior. Both my husband and I graduated from East Rockaway. We knew that East Rockaway was the place that we wanted to raise our family, for them to be able to experience and have all of the wonderful traditions and memories that we did. In high school, I attended the BOCES program and received degree in medical assisting. I continued on to college to follow my passion in the medical field. East Rockaway schools and the opportunities I received when attending put me on the path for success.

 Herald: What do you want voters to know about you and your desire to serve on the board of education?

Lonergan: I feel like this is the best time for me to run for the board of education as my last child is going to graduate this year. I want our school system to be the best, and for everyone to feel as passionate as I do, so I will work hard and listen to the community during my time serving on the board. I believe once you are a Rock, you are always a Rock, and I want to showcase that while in my position. Being a part of this board would be a great honor.