Two vie for lone seat in District 30

District 30’s five-member Board of Education means only one seat comes up for election every year, as trustees have five-year terms.

This year, it is Elise Antonelli who is up for re-election. She was appointed to fill a vacancy in 2007 and won a full five-year term in 2008. In addition to serving on the District 30 board, Antonelli is vice president of the Central High School District Board of Education.

Oneca Heath-Phillip, who has two elementary-age children in parochial school, is challenging Antonelli. She has lived in Valley Stream for the past 11 years.

Voting will take place on Tuesday, May 21 from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. at the district’s three elementary schools along with the school budget vote.

Elise Antonelli

Five and a half years ago, Elise Antonelli got a postcard in the mail announcing a vacancy on the Board of Education in District 30. She applied, interviewed and was selected. She then won a full term on the board and is now seeking re-election for another five years.

“I love being on the school board,” Antonelli said. “It gives an individual a real chance to do something good for the most important part of our community, which is the kids.”

Antonelli served two years as president of the board from 2010 to 2012. She also is one of District 30’s three representatives on the Central High School District board and is vice president this year. Back when her son was in school at Shaw Avenue, she was an active member of the PTA.

She has been a part of three superintendent searches, two in District 30 and one at the high school level. Selecting a superintendent, she says, is one of the most important decisions a board can make. Antonelli said all three times the right decision was made.

Student performance in District 30 has been on the rise in recent years. Antonelli said this is the result of hard work from a dedicated teaching and administrative staff. The role the board plays, she said, is hiring the right people and providing them with the necessary resources.