54.0°,
Partly Cloudy Three running for two East Rockaway school board seats
Meet the candidates
Name: Patti Nicoletti
Age: 48
In district: 13 years
Originally from New York City
Married to: Jim Nicoletti, ERHS class of ‘80
Children: Jack, 17, a junior at ERHS and Kate, 14, in 8th grade at ERHS
Emma 11, in 6th grade at Centre Avenue
Member of: Centre Ave. PTA, current chairperson of PTA Membership Dinner committee, ERHS PTA; Chairperson of PTA Scholarship committee; member of American Speech and Hearing Association and Long Island Speech, Hearing and Language Association (professional membership); New York State Union of Teachers (NYSUT)
Why are you running for a seat on the school board?
I have been attending the BOE meetings regularly for the past 10 years. I went to my first BOE meeting when my son was in a very large 2nd grade class. The parents made a plea to the board to add an additional section to reduce the class size. We did our research and presented the facts. and one month later, the class was split! I learned, firsthand, that parents do have a voice in their children’s education. I am always pleased when I see parents come to board meetings and advocate for their children. That’s what motivates me. I see myself as an advocate for all children and what better way to do that than to run for a seat on the school board? I believe that having a BOE member who is both a parent and educator, as am I, can add a unique and useful perspective when faced with issues regarding education.
What is the first issue you would like to tackle if you become a school board member?
There is no one particular issue that I feel needs more attention than another. Providing the highest quality of education for all students in the district, within our budgetary constraints, is probably the most difficult task for a board member. It’s important that the district not just maintain, but improve the level of academics for all students and do so without burdening the taxpayers.
Do you think the school district as a whole has a good relationship and communication with the rest of the community?
