Challenger steps up to oppose Coonan in Malverne BOE election

Malverne resident Don Pupke announced on Thursday that he is launching a write-in campaign to get elected to the Malverne Board of Education.

Pupke, a former Malverne Village trustee, will challenge board President Dr. Patrick Coonan, who is running unopposed for his seat. 

"[T]he current Board of Education is dysfunctional, insular and remote," Pupke wrote on a Facebook page he created last month to air concerns about the school district. "The Board and its president have allowed the district administration far too much freedom to waste our tax dollars with far too little oversight."

Pupke, whose children attend private schools, went on to criticize Coonan, board members and district administrators for placing their own interests above those of taxpayers and district children. "Waste, confusion, nepotism, ego, incompetence — the time has come for real change," Pupke wrote.

In running, Pupke hopes to show school officials and board trustees that he and his supporters "refuse to accept the status quo," and that re-electing Coonan would further "damage" the school district. With only five days left to prepare his write-in campaign, Pupke has reached out to fellow Malverne and Lakeview residents through Facebook to garner support.

"We need to bring transparency and openness to the board and administration," Pupke wrote.

A number of residents have already expressed support through the Facebook page, posting notes of encouragement and instructions on how to write in Pupke's proper name — Donald Pupke — when voting on Tuesday. 

Board trustee Gina Genti is among Pupke's supporters. 

"As a fellow community volunteer, I want to thank you for making the decision to commit your time and effort to the Malverne UFSD," Genti wrote. "I can't imagine how high your level of frustration needed to be to take on this challenge…. There are very few individuals that have that strong a desire or need to serve in our district, as witnessed over many years. I am happy to support your candidacy in any way I can. I do not do so without understanding my consequences, should we fail, but the rewards far, far outweigh the risks to my district, my children and my pride."

To vote for Pupke, residents must do the following:

1 - Locate the write-in slots above the column of candidates' names
2 - Open the slot over the school board candidate's ballot and slide it up. The slot will only open after the curtain has been closed by pulling the red handle.
3 - Write in the name "Donald Pupke" in the opened slot.
4 - The slot will automatically close when the red handle is pulled and the window is opened.

All questions can be directed to poll watchers prior to closing the curtain.