Challengers question Baldwin school board's transparency

Though several questions were asked of the six candidates running for two seats on the Baldwin Board of Education during the PTA-sponsored Candidates Forum on May 5, the hot-button issue was whether or not the current board has been transparent and accountable to the community.

The four challengers maintained that the current board has not been transparent or that it has not been open enough, while the two incumbents defended their records.
Incumbent trustee Carl Williams said there is certain information that, by law, cannot be divulged to the public. But for that which he can discuss, Williams said he felt he and the rest of the board had been very open with the Baldwin community.

"What we try to do is go out there and meet all the parents, go to PTA meetings," Williams said, also encouraging residents to attend school board meetings. "That's something we've always tried to do, and I think we've been very successful this year."

But challenger Jack McCloy cited the board's hiring of a pricey lawyer to defend the district, instead of admitting fault, when it was discovered two years ago that private attorney Lawrence Reich had been improperly classified as a full-time district employee. He also challenged the board to accurately explain the district's graduation rate, which according to Newsday, is 12th from the bottom of all Nassau County school districts.

"I think you bring transparency when you stick with statistics and you're honest with the community," McCloy said. "Being honest with the community isn't what this school board has done in the past. I think transparency begins with honesty, and that's what I will do."

Incumbent trustee Mary Clark said the board has experienced low attendance at its board meetings, so it has been difficult to be transparent to the community. But she added that the board has tried different ways to educate the community on the board's business.

"I've always been very open ... you can ask me anything and I'll tell you exactly how I feel. It's always been that way and it always will be that way," Clark said. "If anyone has any suggestions on how to increase transparency, I am always open to any new suggestions."