Candidates make their bid for the board

On Wednesday, the mini theater at Locust Valley High School was filled with residents, parents and district officials. They were all there for Meet the Candidates Night.

There has been a great deal of talk around town about the hotly contested trustee race. With three open seats on the Board of Education and five candidates running, the evening provided the community with an opportunity to meet them face to face. First-time candidates Anthony Alfieri, John Del Tatto, Sarah Henris, Amy Hocherg and Shawn Steele answered questions in the hope of attracting votes in Tuesday’s school budget and trustee election. Incumbents Douglas S. Johnson, Maria Segura and Phillip Bellisari are not seeking re-election.

The forum was hosted by the Locust Valley Central School District Coordinated Parents’ Council, and moderated by the League of Women Voters of Nassau County.

Residents’ questions touched on several topics, including the “opt out” movement, managing the district’s surplus revenue, and improving students’ educational opportunities. They also asked the candidates how they would define transparency. And they were curious to know what the candidates wanted to accomplish if elected.

Many of the candidates focused their responses on improving the relationships among board members, parents and students.

“Communication is vital to creating just that,” Hocherg said. “My kids are very proud to say that they graduated from Locust Valley High School. I’d like that to continue, and I’d like to see a lot more unity in this community as well.”

An increase in unity was also something that Del Tatto said he would like to see. “I want everyone to work together for a common goal to support our children,” he said. “I don’t feel like that’s happening here right now, so it’s going to take everyone working together to create a better environment for the students.”

Alfieri said he would like to see trustees develop strong relationships with one another. “Different opinions are fine, but at the end of the day we really need to have a board that respects each other’s thoughts,” he said. “That way, the community will understand that the board speaks from a voice where everyone is in agreement.”

Henris echoed Alfieri’s comments, saying she believed that the board should find a way to collectively organize ideas. “I would like to see us develop and promote a long-term plan,” she said. “This includes capital projects, educational goals, and a clearer vision on everything that we plan to do for our district.”

Steele said he wanted to emphasize students’ mental and emotional health. “With that in mind, I would like for us to refocus and have a better understanding of the roles that recess and recreation play in our students’ lives,” he said. “I think it’s crucial for us to figure out ways to help students in their everyday lives.”

The budget and trustee will take place Tuesday, from 6 a.m. until 9 p.m. at Ann MacArthur Primary School, 100 Ryefield Road in Locust Valley; Brookville Reformed Church, 2 Brookville Road in Glen Head; and Bayville Intermediate School, 50 Mountain Ave. in Bayville. Voters who are unsure where to cas ballots can contact the district office at (516) 277-5000.