Wraith joins high school board

After nine years of serving on the Central High School District school board, Paul DePace stepped down from his post as trustee this year and was replaced by Ian Wraith to represent District 24. DePace will continue serving on the elementary school board.

DePace was recognized for his service by Central High School District Board of Education President Larry Trogel –– a fellow District 24 trustee –– on Sept. 8. Tony Iadevaio is the other District 24 representative on the high school board.

DePace, who is a retired teacher, having taught physical education in Crown Heights until his retirement in 2004, is in his 28th year on the District 24 school board. He has lived in the same house in Valley Stream, with his wife Barbara, for 39 years. He also had all four of his kids graduate from William L. Buck Elementary School and South High School.

Wraith, who has two kids in the Central High School District, said he thinks he can bring a unique perspective to the high school board. “I have daily contact with the school; I’m there picking up my kids,” Wraith said. “I’m a home contractor, so if I see something that needs attention physically, I can bring it to the forefront.”

Wraith is in his fifth year on the District 24 school board and said this was an opportunity he was interested in, but didn’t want to “bump someone” to do it. He said DePace brought a wealth of experience to the high school board, and he hopes to follow in his footsteps. “He put the kids first,” Wraith said of DePace. “I want to continue that.”

There is nothing that stands out, Wraith said, that he initially wants to tackle during his first few months on the board, though there are some little things. He said that when students leave the school grounds for lunch, ID cards are not checked when they come back, and he would like to see that changed.

Wraith added that he has a lot to learn and wants to contribute in the areas he knows best. “I’m more operational,” he said. “My background is in home improvement. I’m not claiming to be an expert. I definitely want to leave those aspects up to those with more background in it.”