By:Carrie James
After all the chips fell and the five election districts called in their results, two out of three East Meadow School District board members up for reelection lost their seats at the May 15 election.
Candidates David Kaplan and Barry Rubinstein ousted incumbents Naomi Farley and Roseann Nolan respectively. Only Fran Riakowski held her seat against challenger Charlie Carter.
Even sitting in the boardroom on election night waiting for results, Kaplan said he didn't know who would win any of the races, especially his since there were four candidates total. It was a happy surprise at the end of the night, winning by almost 500 votes, a feat he attributed to wide community and family support.
"I hope it's a step in the right direction in my case," said Kaplan, who beat two other challengers beside Farley to take a board seat. "I ran on two platforms, financial soundness and accountability. I think the support I have from the board President Clem Grieco and Vice President Charles Goldberg will make my transition smooth."
The transition should be seamless since Kaplan served on the board from 1995-1998.
Barry Rubinstein, who will take Nolan's board seat, might face more of a challenge since he is a newcomer to the school board. He has served in many other roles throughout the East Meadow district, though, and has said he is ready for the challenges he will take on in July, when the new members start their three-year terms.
"I definitely hope to make a very easy transition," Rubinstein said. "What I am going to do is read up on everything and speak to people who have served on the board. I will do what I have to do to get ready."
Both Rubinstein and Kaplan said they hope they can bring about many of the changes they had campaigned on, including Rubinstein's effort to foster continued district unity and Kaplan's continued drive to increase resident accessibility to the board.
As for Riakowski, she had said she wanted to retain her seat on the board in part to see through the $50 million bond issue that passed in 2000, which includes building renovations and new construction throughout the district.
Overall, Rubinstein said the election went well.
"It turned out really good for the children," he said.
In the library board election, Audrey Fixell retained her seat on the East Meadow Public Library Board of Trustees, although challenger Anthony Sereno performed well, garnering almost 1,200 votes to Fixell's 1,760.
Election Results:
School Board
Seat One
David Kaplan: 1,521
Naomi Farley: 1,038
Marcus Colelli: 641
Bob Kushner: 427
Seat Two:
Barry Rubinstein: 1,788
Roseann Nolan: 1,554
Seat Three:
Fran Riakowski: 1,920
Charlie Carter: 1,473
Library Board
Seat One:
Audrey Fixell: 1,760
Anthony Sereno: 1,197
