Vote for John Ferrara in the North Bellmore School District

John Ferrara, the six-year incumbent trustee in the North Bellmore School District, faces opponent Erica Wilson this year. The Herald endorses Ferrara in this race.

Ferrara, a local electrician with two children in the Bellmore-Merrick Central High School District, told us that in his time on the board, he has been committed to keeping property taxes as low as possible while giving children a great education.

He has been a member of the North Bellmore Facilities Committee, volunteered through the Saw Mill Road PTA, and coached for the North Bellmore-North Merrick Little League and Bellmore Braves football organization.

The district, under the work of the administration and Board of Education, has kept class sizes relatively small and managed not to cut services, even expanding its use of STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Math) materials and instruction, Ferrara said.

Also, he told us, he and the district remain committed to “not teaching to the test, but teaching to learn,” at a time when the number of parents opting their students out of state standardized tests is at a high.

Ferrara’s opponent, resident and New York City teacher Erica Wilson, said that she heard from the community that a change is needed on the board, and that there should be a stronger connection between trustees, teachers and students.

There is no doubt that any district has room for improvement, but we see no reason to unseat Ferrara, who has demonstrated continued leadership and dedication to the community.

We encourage Wilson to remain involved in the district by attending Board of Education meetings. Cast your ballot for Ferrara, though.