Board of Education candidates stump for their issues

Five Board of Education seats in the Five Town’s two public school districts are up for election this spring. All three Hewlett-Woodmere candidates are unopposed and one race in Lawrence is contested. Both budgets and two propositions in each district are on the ballot. Library budgets and trustees are also up for approval on May 15.

Lawrence candidates
Asher Matathias, 74, of Woodmere, is challenging incumbent Heshy Blachorsky, 42, of North Woodmere for trustee. Blachorsky, is running for his second term, Mathias has run for a seat on the board in every election for the past five years.

Blachorsky, a chief risk officer at a mortgage bank, has five kids in private school and wants to continue to act as a conduit between the private and public school communities, “I really enjoy what I’ve been doing,” he said. “I’ve grown very close to teachers and administrators, and want to see some bridge the two communities in the Five Towns.”

Matathias, an adjunct instructor in political science at St. John’s University, said that he wants to be a voice for the least fortunate students in the district. “We need to have someone who will speak out for the disadvantaged and the poorly serviced,” he said. “And the new comers, embrace them and oppose the cruelty of the national government.”

The challenger has been pushing for an open election system for years, where the top vote getters would win election. Lawrence uses a system where candidates must oppose each other.

Abel Feldhamer, 40, is running for his fourth term unopposed. A lawyer who lives in Cedarhurst, he said that he would like to continue to work with the administration to improve the district. “I am excited to continue implementing our comprehensive capital improvements plan,” he said. “With a focus on enhancing the safety and security of our facilities, to ensure that we are providing a safe learning environment for all of our students and faculty.”  

Hewlett-Woodmere candidates
One incumbent and two newcomers are running unchallenged. Melissa Gates, 51, of North Woodmere, is running for her third term on the board. “I really didn’t think I would be able to run again as I am a caregiver,” she said. “Last year I realized that I could balance everything and that I could still fulfill all of my duties in the same way I always have. I’m glad because, in truth, I am not done.  There is still a lot of work that has to be done and I am up for the task.”

Gates had several items on her plate, and said she wants to do what is best for both the students and community. “Aside from proper school funding in general, I believe we have to advocate for student mental health programs and safety,’ she said, everything is tied together. Everything is important.”

Trustees Dr. Jonathan Altus and Stephen Witt, are stepping down. Judy Menashe and Debi Sheinin are running for the seats.

Menashe, 46, of Woodmere, is the vice president of the district’s PTA Central Council. In a post-Parkland world, she said that she wants to help keep the district safe. “Security protocols must be reviewed and updated to ensure the safety of the students and faculty,” she said. “Furthermore, more attention must be given to those students who have educational challenges … As an active member of SEPTA (Special Education Parent Teacher Association), I have been able to make a difference for those students that have educational challenges and make their educational journey a better one.”

Sheinin, 43, of Hewlett, is a retired teacher, and is currently the PTA Central Council president and SEPTA secretary. “I am dedicated to improving how the district runs,” she said. “As an active PTA member in multiple units I have spent many years advocating for the students and families, trying to make HWPS the best it could be … At this time, I feel as if I would like to move into a stronger role where I can listen to any concerns, and fight to make them happen.”

School budgets
Hewlett-Woodmere’s proposed budget for the 2018-2019 school year is $119.79 million. The spending increase 2.86 percent matches the first proposed tax levy increase in three years. In the last two budgets — 2017-18 and 2016-17 — the district offset budget increases with money from the capital reserve fund. Among the new programs that could be added is literacy intervention at the Woodmere Middle School.

Lawrence’s adopted a budget of $102.44 million, is an increase of 1.65 percent, but there is no tax-cap increase. The district will begin offering Mandarin as an elective; ensure a 1 to 1 student ratio with Chromebooks, and install vape detectors in the bathrooms.

School propositions
Hewlett-Woodmere’s Proposition 2 would allow the expenditure of $14.76 million from the capital reserve fund for HVAC upgrades, window replacements, improvements to the bathrooms, roof and masonry and district-wide technology upgrades. Lawrence’s Proposition 3 is for a transfer of $4 million to the capital reserve fund to pay for similar repairs and upgrades throughout the school year.

Peninsula and Hewlett-Woodmere libraries
Library budgets in the respective school district are also on the ballot. Proposition 2 is for the Peninsula Public Library budget. In Hewlett-Woodmere the library budget is Proposition 3.

“We increased our books and programming numbers,” said PPL Director Carolynn Matulewicz. “And we tried to keep the budget at 2 percent tax cap so that we keep serving community as we have been.”

The total proposed budget was increased from $3.22 million in 2017-2018, to $3.37 million for 2018-2019. The requested tax appropriation also increased from $2.94 million to just over $3 million. Matulewicz added that most of the increase comes from consulting fees needed to aid in the construction of a new library next to the Long Island Rail Road station in Lawrence.

The Hewlett-Woodmere Public Library proposed a budget of $6.43 million, includes an increase of $71,416 from the current fiscal plan. “With a district population of around 20,000, the increase is negligible, it’s not even in the same universe of being near the tax cap,” said Library Director William Ferro, adding that the library is looking to commission a parking study to help combat the lack of spaces around HWPL, as well as trying to offer more programs for teenagers.

Samuel Francis, PPL’s board president, is running for re-election unopposed, as is incumbent Hewlett-Woodmere trustee Ayanna Lane.

Francis, 34, is an attorney who lives in Cedarhurst, “I am seeking to serve another term as a trustee on the board of the Peninsula Public Library so that I can continue helping our community,” he said. “I look forward to working together with my fellow trustees, dedicated administration and talented staff on providing the best possible library experience for our patrons in a cost-effective manner.”

The construction of the new library tops Francis’ lists of priorities for his new term. “We are continuing to make great progress with our preparations for the construction of a beautiful new library and community center that will serve our district for many years to come,” he said.
The Herald could not reach Lane for comment as of press time.

Where to vote
Hewlett-Woodmere residents can vote at the Woodmere Education Center at 1 Johnson Place, Woodmere, from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. on May 15. Lawrence residents vote in one of four venues: Primary School at Number Two School, 1 Donahue Ave., Inwood; Lawrence Middle School, 195 Broadway, Lawrence; Lawrence High School, 2 Reilly Road, Cedarhurst; and Atlantic Beach Village Hall, 65 The Plaza, Atlantic Beach. To learn where residents should vote go to the budget vote/election information section on lawrence.org.

Have an opinion on the candidates or budgets? Send your letter to the editor to jbessen@liherald.com.