5 candidates run in Lynbrook, 3 in East Rockaway

Five candidates are running for a seats on the Lynbrook Board of Education. Three of those candidates are challenging two incumbents who hope to keep their positions on the board. Voting is on Tues., May 17 from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Lynbrook

William Belmont

Age: 50

Family: Married to Allyson.

Children: Jake and Rachel.

Residency: The last 15 years, plus born and raised

Career: Investigative Attorney

Time on board: 9 years

Activities: Lynbrook School Board Member, Lynbrook School District Health and Safety and District Policy committees; Assistant Varsity Football coach, Youth boys and girls Lacrosse and Basketball coach, PTA assistant, Challenger Basketball Program, Scholarship Administrator for Morty Frank 911 Scholarship, liaison for fourth-grade World Trade Center Tour.

What accomplishments are you most proud of?

Staying under the tax cap with the Career Development Program, Transition Coordinator position, liberal arts electives at the middle school, One-to-World Tablet program and extension at North Middle School.

What are the biggest issues facing the district that you want to solve in your term?

The school districts are under attack from Albany who is trying to wrestle control away from local school boards. They are trying to tell local school districts how to evaluate their teachers and how to educate their children. Lynbrook has been graduating successful men and women for over 100 years and does not need any input from Albany.

What is your dream for the district?

To continue on our current path. We’re adding more programs to meet the needs of all our students and increasing our efforts to prepare them — whether they’re heading for college or vocational training, or right into the workforce. I wish the government would stop placing unfunded mandates on us so that we can use our budget dollars for programs that directly benefit our kids and not just to satisfy the arcane and burdensome needs of Albany.

Renee Gaughran

Age: 43

Family: Married to Brian.

Two daughters: Kiera, 11, and Kasey, 8.

Residency: 16 years

Career: Disability Accommodations Specialist at Queensborough Community College

Activities: West End PTA Executive Board and