West Hempstead board candidates field questions

The Herald recently caught up with this year’s candidates running for seats on the West Hempstead Board of Education. Three seats are up for election in West Hempstead, and two incumbents, Carole Rilling and James Mariano, are being opposed this year.

Rilling is being opposed by Perry Fogg, and Mariano is running against challenger William Signorile. They are vying for three-year terms. For the third seat — which is currently being held by Vincent Trocchia, who was appointed after trustee Anthony Brita resigned and has decided not to run for the seat — Dennis Walsh is running against Karen Brohm. The term will be for one year.

The candidates spoke about their top priorities if elected, the proposed 2012-13 school budget, and some of the challenges facing the district.

What will be your top priorities if elected to the school board?

Carole Rilling: My top priority is improving student achievement from the primary grades right through senior year in high school. Another priority is always keeping in mind that the board must remain fiscally responsible to the taxpayers of West Hempstead. An important priority is working together as a community.

Perry Fogg: I will expect and insist on accountability at all levels of the school community. Now is not the time to point fingers, but to be responsible and act to improve in the areas that need it. I will advocate for and encourage collaboration between all the parties responsible for the education of our students.

James Mariano: My first priority has always been to support the learning of our students by giving them the resources to achieve academic excellence. I believe in giving them access to advanced courses, music, art, sports and clubs. I would also like to find innovative ways to get parents more involved. All of this has to be done while keeping the budget as low as possible and being mindful of the current economy.

William Signorile: To raise the bar for students. As I see it, our levels are, at best, flat. I see the board is living in a bubble. Our students need to be looked at as young adults and not as boys and girls. We need to bring our young adults to a level much higher than this board is looking for.