Four up for three seats in District 24

In the first contested election in several years, four candidates are running for three seats on the Valley Stream District 24 Board of Education. Incumbents Paul DePace, Carole Meaney and Ian Wraith are seeking re-election, and Lisa Pellicane is the newcomer on the ballot. Terms are for three years, and the three candidates with the most votes will win.

Paul DePace

After three decades on the District 24 school board, Paul DePace is ready for more. He says he still wants to contribute, and that is why he is running for another term.

DePace said he still feels the community’s support, which started when he first joined the board in the early 1980s after the William F. Donahue School was closed. Throughout his tenure, he said he has remained approachable and always listens. His experience as a parent and retired teacher has helped him see many issues from different perspectives. “I look at all sides,” he said. “I think I am a fair person.”

A resident of Valley Stream since 1974, DePace has two grandchildren attending the William L. Buck School

One area that he believes is important is maintaining programs in the district. He said the inclusion program is “great,” and he is proud of the emotional intelligence, anti-bullying, and lunch programs, which he feels have benefitted students. Stimulus money was used to restore programs two years ago and no teachers were laid off, he noted. “I care about the district and where it’s going,” he said.

The district has found ways to maintain good facilities, he said, making changes over the years including updating playgrounds at Brooklyn Avenue School. And the district has saved money with an energy efficiency performance contract, which he said he is happy about. A top priority is replacing the aging windows in the district’s buildings.