Monday, May 12, 2025
The Uniondale Board of Education’s plans for the 2025-26 school year will be put before residents in the budget vote and school board election on May 20. In addition to next year’s spending plan, two board seats and two propositions will be on the ballot.
Incumbent Trustees Addie Blanco-Harvey and Alvin McDaniel, are running unopposed.
“After thinking about it for a while, I decided that I want to continue to serve as a Board of Education trustee,” Blanco-Harvey said. She has been a trustee for six years, and is a member of the District’s Curriculum Committee as well. Six of her children have been students in Uniondale’s schools, and she has said that her experience as a parent helps shape her leadership of the academic community.
“It’s very important to have parental involvement,” she said. “I became very involved in the education of my children through the PTA. I would ask parents to take an active role in whatever they can to make sure that they’re always involved in the educational process of their children.”
PTA member Olga Hernandez has worked with Blanco-Harvey on outreach strategies and wellness programs, including the My Brother’s Keeper initiative and the Latina Mentoring program in Uniondale High School.
“I’ve known Addie for many years,” Hernandez said. “Addie is one person that attends just about every function, every event in this district. When you see something in somebody that stands out, you have to make note of it.”
“She’s always put the community first,” Frantz Dorsainvil, assistant principal of Walnut Street Elementary School, said of Blanco-Harvey. “She advocates for what’s best for our children in the Uniondale community. She’s really loyal to the work.”
McDaniel has been part of the Uniondale community for over 35 years. “I’ve been trying to find my way into being able to serve the community more, using my experience and my educational background,” he said.
McDaniel has a master’s degree in accounting and a doctorate in educational leadership. He was appointed to the board in October when Trustee Carol Eason resigned.
“One of the biggest challenges we’re having right now is finance, and that’s financial aid from the state and federal government,” McDaniel said. “Right now I’m working with my other trustees to get out and reach out to our elected officials, then to make sure and secure what we were entitled to, and hopefully keep what we have — and actually get more.”
Board President Mary Bediako has worked with both candidates extensively to prepare for the next school year.
“(McDaniel) has been an invaluable member of the board so far,” she said. “We value his opinions and he is very good at helping the board with the budget.”
These candidates’ terms will last until June 30, 2028.
Also on the ballot are two propositions focusing on the appropriation of funds for the next school year. Proposition 1 covers the proposed $286 million school budget, a $20 million increase over the current fiscal plan, according to the district’s statement of revenue.
The budget increase comes from “a modest increase of 2.5 percent to the tax levy,” Bediako said.
Still recovering from losing grants during the Covid-19 pandemic, the district is looking to financially maintain as many student programs as possible.
Proposition 2 covers four plans for projects funded by the district’s existing capital reserve.
The four plans “will be of no tax increase to the public,” Bediako said.
“We have a capital reserve fund already, but we have to go to the community to get permission to do the capital projects that we need to improve our infrastructure,” she continued.
The first project is to install a new safety fence around Grand Avenue for $200,000. Second, to repair and replace damaged sidewalks at Northern Parkway, Turtle Hook Middle School, Walnut Street School and Uniondale High School for $350,000.
Third, to install exterior LED light polls at Northern Parkway, Turtle Hook Middle School, Walnut Street School, Uniondale HS for $450,000.
Fourth, to install new well pumps and irrigation at all athletic fields for $500,000.
Before the election, the Board will hold a public hearing regarding the budget on May 6, at 6:30 p.m. at Uniondale High School.
