F.S. Public Library to hold budget, trustee vote

The Franklin Square Public Library will hold its annual budget vote and trustee election at the library on April 25, from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. A new trustee will be elected to the library’s Board of Trustees to fill Rev. Frederick McElderry’s seat. A board trustee for the past 25 years, McElderry is not running again for the seat and his current, five-year term will end on July 1.

Two candidates are running for the open trustee seat, the term for which will begin on July 1 and end on June 30, 2017: Julie Soffientini, the Franklin Square Union Free School District’s assistant superintendent for curriculum and instruction, who has been a resident of Franklin Square for 38 years; and Joseph J. Lannon, a 22-year resident of Franklin Square, who retired after 23 years of service to the public from MTA Bridges and Tunnel as a bridge and tunnel maintainer.

Soffientini started in the Franklin Square Union Free School District’s computer program and brought several programs to the district, including cooperative learning and accelerated reading. She also taught at St. Catherine of Sienna School’s religious education program, working closely with Principal Cecilia Rando to provide staff development to teachers over the past several years, and has worked closely with Franklin Square Public Library Head of Children’s Services Faye Lieberman to promote its Accelerated Reading Program. Additionally, she’s organized fundraisers for the Franklin Square Historical Society, and recently received the Historical Societys 2012 Distinguished Educator Award.