55.0°,
Overcast Newcomers step up to the plate in North Merrick School District
Corona, Miller defeat incumbents Butler, Katz
Two newcomers were voted onto the North Merrick Board of Education on Tuesday night.
Resident Tracey Miller defeated incumbent Lisa Katz, who was had served one term on the Board, by a vote of 702-413, while Ed Corona unseated 20-year incumbent Jonathan Butler by a vote of 713-409.
Miller ran as a self-described football and Boy Scout parent, and told the Herald that she was concerned about legislation coming out of Albany and Washington. She also said that she felt the Board of Education was, at times, “less than transparent” with parents.
Butler could not immediately be reached for comment on Wednesday.
“I’ve been an educator for about 22 years,” she said in a previous interview. “I know a lot about education. This is my job … I just bring a lot of experience in the field of education and I think that can only be a positive thing for the board.”
Corona is a father of three, with one daughter in the Central High School District. He has volunteered as a coach for the PAL and CYO soccer programs, is involved in the music ministry at his church and serves as coordinator for Nassau County Track and Field for Public High Schools.
On Wednesday morning, Corona said that he hoped North Merokeans could put their differences behind them and “work together for the best for our community and the students of North Merrick.”
“No one lost here,” he said. “The incumbents did a wonderful job serving the community. Unfortunately it’s difficult trying to get involved for the first time, because you have to run for someone’s seat.”
Todd Ransom, who was running unopposed for another term, was also re-elected by a vote of 602.
North Merrick voters also approved a $31.4 million budget by a vote of 901-283, and “at-large” voting for future elections, which means that candidates will not run for specific seats on the board, by a vote of 808-323.
Voters in North Merrick supported the Bellmore-Merrick Central High School District’s $153.7 million budget by a vote of 849-323.
- This story will be updated
