Three vie for two seats on Bellmore School District board

A longtime Bellmorite and two veteran trustees will be on this year’s ballot in the Bellmore School District Board of Education election.

Scott Cohen, a former member of the Nassau County Police Department, is vying for one of two available seats on the board for the 2013-14 academic year. Maryanne Kelly and Janet Goller, who have both served the board for several years and are seeking reelection, currently hold those positions.

The three candidates introduced themselves to the community at a forum moderated by the League of Women Voters on April 30 at the Reinhard Early Childhood Education Center. The three answered questions about how their own experiences, both professionally and with the district, would inform their decision-making as board trustees, in addition to the greatest challenges the next board will face.

The incumbents, Kelly and Goller, both explained to the crowd of faculty, staff and community members that their experience would be valuable to the board, and therefore, the district.

Maryanne Kelly

Kelly has been a member of the Bellmore Board of Education for three years, serving as vice president in 2012-13.

Aside from her board involvement, Kelly has been a member of the Bellmore PTA for the past 12 years. She is also involved with community organizations like the Bellmore Preservation Group and the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee at Hofstra University, which establishes ethical guidelines and enforces responsible use of animals in research.

Kelly said that she recently acted as a local contact person for Nassau County and the Town of Hempstead to help resolve flooding in her neighborhood. She said she continues to be involved in such community projects while serving on the board, and they have helped guide her in the past.

“I rely on my past and current experiences for making good decisions for the school and the community,” she said. “These experiences I take with me into every board meeting.”