School board changes we’d like to see in Valley Stream

In the Board of Education elections two weeks ago, six incumbents and one challenger were elected to the seven seats that were up for grabs. All of them are in it for the right reasons.

There are a few changes we’d like to see on the various school boards in Valley Stream, which we feel could increase public participation, bring more voices into the mix and make the system more fair overall.

Seven-member board in District 30

There are 53 school districts in Nassau County with elected boards of education. Only slightly more than half of those districts have seven-member boards, but we think that is the way to go.

Districts 13 and 24 have seven members, but District 30 has five. One seat is up per year, and each seat has a five-year term. We believe District 30 board members should consider switching to a seven-member board with three-year terms. There would be many benefits:

- It would bring more voices to the Board of Education. Given the many complex decisions that school districts face, from curriculum development to budgeting to building upkeep, the more people involved, with different talents and areas of expertise, the better.

- It could encourage more participation. With only one seat up per year, there’s little opportunity for newcomers. Also, fewer than 800 people voted on the budget this year. Additional board races could draw more voters to the polls.

- It would prevent one board member from being targeted over a single issue just because his or her seat happens to be up that year.

- Should the board become ineffective, which we hope never happens, it would take only two years to turn over a majority instead of three.

- It would ensure that the board is able to operate. In a short span in 2007, two board members resigned, leaving the district with only three trustees, the minimum needed to function. It never came to the point where the board couldn’t conduct business, but there was no wiggle room. A seven-member board raises the quorum to four, but, more important, gives the district a three-person cushion.

- It would create equity among the three elementary districts. Each district sends three representatives to the high school board. District 30, with five members, sends a majority of its board to the high school. Districts 13 and 24 do not. Though they are all equally represented at the high school level, none should have its majority there.

A seven-member board would require voter approval and the restructuring of terms of the existing board members. But we believe this is something the board should discuss, with input from the public, and consider for a future May ballot.

At-large elections in District 13

Candidates run by seat in District 13. This year, Sean Douglas faced a challenger for his seat, while fellow incumbents Frank Chiachiere and Debra Evans did not. We think an at-large election, in which all candidates run together and the top vote-getters win the seats, would be fairer.

This is how elections work in District 24, and it prevents a single board member from being targeted. It also allows the public to choose who they want serving on the entire board, not just who they want in a certain seat.

Seat-by-seat elections make sense in electoral districts such as the Hempstead Town Council, the County Legislature and the State Assembly. But when the entire board represents the entire community, it is unnecessary for candidates to run by seat.

Student trustee in high school district

State education law allows a student trustee to serve on a Board of Education. Student trustees do not have a vote, nor do they enter executive session. They serve as liaisons between the student body and the board.

The Central High School District should consider adding this position in order to hear from its students. After all, it’s the students who are affected most by decisions that the board makes. A student trustee could help the board gauge the pulse of the student body before making a decision.

The position could rotate each year among the three high schools. Interested candidates could be interviewed and selected by the board or chosen from among their peers. There are many well-informed, intelligent students who could serve the district well in this position.

Creation of a student trustee position requires voter approval, so it could not be added for next year. However, it’s a proposal we would like to see go to voters next May.