What next for McInnes and May?

After being re-elected to the Hewlett-Woodmere Board of Education for another three-year term, Scott McInnes and Cheryl May look to move the school district forward through a continuing review process and with new programs, while maintaining an eye on costs.
For McInnes, currently the board’s president, it isn’t the individual projects or initiatives that will help students as much as the board’s continued focus will. “We’re looking at all of our processes, performance and the continued pursuit of excellence for our students and service to the community,” he said.
May is excited to see the implementation of the new AP Capstone program, a high caliber academic program. “I feel that this program will give our students an advantage and will set our high school apart,” said the BOE’s vice president.
Fiscal responsibility will continue to be a top priority throughout May’s next term. “As a board, we must continue to be responsible to all of our residents,” she said.  “We need to cut administrative salaries and positions where possible and maintain all student services and programs. While the tax cap presents a challenge in accomplishing fiscal responsibility, we must ensure that we are successful.”
McInnes has similar goals for his next term. “I’d like to continue working towards the goal of making sure that the Hewlett-Woodmere School District is one of the best school districts on Long Island and is recognized accordingly,” he said. “We have been focused on improving performance. I’d like to see those efforts continue.”

Both believe that their last terms were successful. “As a board, we were able to cut administrative spending by over $1 million,” May said. “We had a chance to cut spending where it was appropriate. Another top priority was to maintain the current class sizes. I will continue to fight to keep class sizes low because I feel that this is imperative to successful student performance.”
McInnes said success in saving money, maintaining programs and services while staying within the tax levy were accomplished because the board pays attention to its constituency. “We had many tangible successes,” he said. “I think one of the most important things we’ve done is restore confidence in the board as a body that is listening to the community and working hard to achieve their goals and objectives.”
May touts the district’s success in the Siemens competition – back-to- back grand prize winners – and said that the sciences will continued to be stressed. “We have continued to put a high emphasis on the sciences, specifically research, with two consecutive Siemens science award winners,” she said. “We will continue this program and foster the growth of science, technology, engineering, art, and math throughout the district at all grade levels. Each student is different. It’s important that we recognize this and foster their unique abilities.”
McInnes is excited about continuing service on the board. “I love being a part of the educational process for our children and working on behalf of the community,” he said.