Evans, Chiachiere unopposed in District 13

Debra Evans

In her six years on the District 13 Board of Education, Debra Evans said she is most proud of the fact that the district has kept costs reasonable, while continuing to provide children with a quality education.

Evans is running unopposed for her third three-year term. She said she is very cognizant of what taxpayers can afford. “I think that our board is making a very concerted effort,” she said, “to make sure there isn’t an undue burden placed on the people of Valley Stream 13.”

She noted how district officials plan ahead for big-ticket items and spread the cost out over several years, such as the Howell Road parking lot repaving project. She also said that regular maintenance on the buildings prevents majors expenses for repairs down the road, and ensures that everything doesn’t go wrong at once.

Working at Adelphi University in the students financial services department, Evans says she brings a unique perspective to the board. Her job offers her insight into how colleges and universities perceive students from certain school districts. “I like the idea that students who are graduating from the high schools in Valley Stream have good academic reputations,” she said. “I want to see that continue.”

Evans describes her as a careful thinker who doesn’t like to make snap decisions. Overall, she said the District 13 board is full of people who are thoughtful, deliberate and bring a wealth of experience to the table.

With the financial pressures the district faces, Evans said she doesn’t want to see any programs cut. But if there is one program she would fight hard to protect, it’s music. “My own children were musicians in the program,” she said.

The board must find creative ways to deal with the cuts to education from the state and federal government. Evans says she wants to be part of the decision-making process and can be someone to “keep an eye on things.”

Besides creating a budget each year, the most important role of the board is to choose a superintendent, something that was done this year in District 13 for first time in eight years. Evans said she found the superintendent search process to be very interesting, and will do what she can to help the new schools chief get adjusted to the job.

First elected: 2005
Lives in: North Valley Stream
Age: 57
Family: Husband, John; two children, Jennifer and Christopher; one granddaughter
Career: Senior associate director of Student Financial Services at Adelphi University; adjunct faculty at Adelphi University
Other: PTA Life Award; former Girl Scout and Boy Scout leader; member of New York State Financial Aid Administrators Association; presenter at high school financial aid nights

Frank Chiachiere

With nearly two decades on the District 13 Board of Education, Dr. Frank Chiachiere said one the best qualities he brings is a strong knowledge of the district’s history and culture.

Chiachiere, who is currently serving as the board’s president, is running unopposed for another three-year term. He said he wants to help the district address the financial challenges it will face in the next few years. Living off a pension and social security, Chiachiere said he understands the pressures that taxpayer’s face. “I get it,” he said.

Chiachiere said that all school districts are going to have to learn to do more with less. But even with less money, Chiachere said, the Board of Education must be able to deliver a quality education for the children of Valley Stream. It just must do so without raising taxes to the point where people can no longer afford to stay in their homes.

“If we can continue to deliver a high quality program at a price our community can afford,” he said, “we’ve accomplished a lot.”

While he would like to be talking about lower class sizes and other innovations to bring to the district, Chiachiere said the current financial times don’t allow for that. He said the district should look at ways of saving money wherever it can, such as paperless board meetings.

The district must provide teachers adequate training so they can be on the cutting edge of trends in education. And, Chiachiere said, the district must continue to provide up-to-date technology so children will be competitive with their peers in other districts, states and nations.

Chiachiere said he is proud of the district’s test scores, and noted that District 13 among the highest performing school systems in Southwest Nassau. He also said the board has made a commitment to keeping the buildings and grounds in good shape.

The literacy program in District 13 is top-notch, he said, noting that reading is the key to success for all students. “No successful American is successful without being able to read,” he said.

Chiachiere said that he is proud of the accomplishments the district has made in the past few years. “I’m very grateful and honored,” he said, “to serve the Valley Stream 13 community as a volunteer.”

First elected: 1993
Lives in: Malverne
Age: 66
Family: Married to wife Rita, two children, Frank and Ryan
Career: Retired high school teacher, school administrator; currently lecturer at SUNY Stony Brook, school of professional development, educational consulting/recruiting
Other: Intergenerational reader at Willow Road School