Keep Douglas in District 13

Although he has less than a year of experience on the District 13 Board of Education, we’ve already seen Sean Douglas contribute positively in his role as trustee. He was one of two board members who visited incoming superintendent Dr. Adrienne Robb-Fund’s current district to talk to people and ensure that she is the right person for the job.

Douglas was one of several people to apply last summer for a vacant seat on the board, and now he is running for a full three-year term. He is opposed by Bernadin Fleurima. This race comes down to two parents of Howell Road School students.

We support Douglas, who in a short period of time has firmly grasped the role of a board trustee. He understands that he must work for both the students and the community, and he takes very seriously the responsibility of the volunteer job.

Douglas’s position as a social worker in the Uniondale School District, coupled with his administrative certificate, give him a strong knowledge of school district operations and law. He brings some good ideas to the table about improving the school’s character education program to ensure that students are not only learning academics, but learning to be good citizens as well. And Douglas wants to make sure that children receive a well-rounded education — that science, social studies, music and art are vital parts of the curriculum.

We commend Fleurima for his interest in serving his community on the school board. We like his ideas to increase diversity on the teaching staff to better reflect the student body. His concerns about safety issues at Central High School, however, cannot be addressed on the elementary school board, and it’s unlikely a seat would open up for him there, with three veteran board members already representing District 13. Also, his ideas to pay teachers based on merit instead of longevity are unrealistic and something a local school board member cannot control.

Our endorsement for the lone contested seat in the district goes to Douglas. And although they are unopposed, we also hope voters will not forget about Frank Chiachiere and Debra Evans, who have worked hard to do right by the children and the community during their time on the board.