Meet the Valley Stream Board of Education Candidates

District 13

Antoinette “Toni” Pomerantz

Age: 62

Family: Married to Howard. Two children, Frances, 27; and Louis, 25.

Residency: 35-year resident

Career: Retired elementary school teacher of 36 years 

Time on board: 3 years

Activities: President of the Board of Education, director of the Valley Stream Educational Foundation Inc., participates in workshops and seminars given by the New York School Board Association, attends adult education classes at C.W. Post University.

What is your proudest accomplishment in your time on the board and what do you feel is an area of priority looking ahead?

The district recently passed a bond to improve all aspects in our four elementary school buildings. My priority has been to bring better security to the district for our children, faculty and staff.

Milagros Vicente

Age: 48

Family: Married to Eric Gomez. Three children, Rafael, 28; Tony, 19; and Arianna, 9.

Residency: 9-year resident

Career: Certified paralegal

Activities: “Save the Fifth Precinct” movement; board member at Sparkle Empowerment for Girls, member of Valley Stream Civic Association, Girl Scouts of Nassau County and Valley Stream, Howell Road Parent Teacher Association, licensed child care provider, graduate of Nassau Civilian Police Academy.

What do you hope to bring to the Board of Education?

As a board member I will continue to ensure close collaboration with the Valley Stream Central High School District. I will explore fiscally responsible ways of delivering pre-K services to our district. Early foreign language learning is another important component of a rounded education, and I will advocate for introducing it in our district to allow children to become true global citizens. I will advocate for improvements in both the delivery and availability of sound nutritional options for our students.

District 24

Lawrence Trogel

Age: Declined to provide

Family: Married to Susan. Two daughters, Meghan and Dianna.

Residency: 34-year resident

Career: Attorney for Allstate Insurance Company

Time on board: 15 years

What is your proudest accomplishment in your time on the board and what do you feel is an area of priority looking ahead?