Candidates charge into Lawrence race

Six candidates are on the ballot for three trustee seats on the Lawrence Board of Education.
With Solomon Blisko not running for re-election, three candidates are vying for his seat: Jesse Lunin-Pack, Tova Plaut and Dov Herman, all first time candidates for public office.
Incumbent Trustee Nahum Marcus is running for a third term. He is opposed by former board member Michael Hatten. Juan Zapeda petitioned to be on the ballot, then decided not to run at this time. His name remains on the ballot.
Running unopposed is longtime Trustee David Sussman.
All terms are three years and begin July 1 and end June 30, 2016. District residents can go to the polls to vote on the budget and for school board trustees on May 21.

Jesse Lunin-Pack

Concerned about the board representing the interests of the public school district, Lunin-Pack, 40, an Atlantic Beach resident, who has been involved in his community as a Atlantic Beach Rescue EMS lieutenant and serving on the Youth and Education board of the Hewlett-East Rockaway Jewish Centre.

“I have had enough of a school board filled with members who never show up for school concerts, plays or events,” he said. “I have had enough of a school board without real public school representation.”

Fearing that the public school community is “demoralized and cynical” about Lawrence schools, Lunin-Pack said the whole public school community needs to become more engaged and the board needs to improve how it communicates to the residents. “We need a process that is open to all members of the community — private school and public school families alike,” he said.

With money being tight, Lunin-Pack said looking at all options to improve and fund education should be explored. “The budget must be fair to every taxpayer in the community, public school families, private school families, and retirees with no children in either situation.”

Tova Plaut

A director for a private nursery school in Commack, Plaut, 43, a Cedarhurst resident, believes that her background would make her a good board member. “I believe in a quality education for all the children in our district,” said Plaut, adding that she serves a diverse student population in her job.