By Nick Buglione
Coates garnered 3,316 votes to Bove's 1,610 to capture the third seat on the board vacated by incumbent Gail Jensen, who did not seek re-election. Nolan, herself a former member of the school board, beat Carter 2,908 to 1,759 for the first seat. Clement Grieco, outgoing board president, also did not seek re-election.
"If I listened to everyone around me, I never thought I was going to win by such a large margin," Coates said. "When the Barnum Woods [numbers] came in, my heart just leaped out of my chest."
At the Barnum Woods polls, Coates pulled in 1,048 votes, which dwarfed Bove's 310 and sealed her victory.
"I always felt I had the background and knowledge to be a very capable board member and worthy of the community's votes," Coates said. "I think my experience and dedication proved to be what the community wanted."
An active member of East Meadow schools and the community for more than 22 years, Coates has held many elected as well as appointed positions on the PTA, including Meadowbrook Elementary PTA president and PTA Council president.
"Debbie Coates has been involved in the community for a long time. You're in good hands with Debbie. She's competent and knows what needs to be done," said opponent Bove. "I plan on staying involved in the community and being the eyes and ears of the children. Hopefully, I can assist the board in any way I can to move the district in a positive direction."
Aside from her work in the schools, Coates also serves as vice president of the Community Association of Carman Avenue and is a member of the Nassau County Jail Advisory Committee.
"I'm still numb," said Nolan, who also expressed just as much surprise over her marginal victory as Coates. "I guess my experience in the community and my involvement helped."
After filing her petition signatures to the district clerk on the deadline, Nolan initially was running for the first seat unopposed -- that is, until a technicality allowed Carter to file about two weeks late and enter the race.
Nolan previously served one three-year term on the East Meadow School District Board of Education in 1998, but was defeated by current board member Barry Rubenstein in her bid for re-election last year.
During her tenure as a board member, Nolan served as a liaison between the community and the board. Since she already knows its ins and outs, Nolan believes her experience is one of her greatest assets.
"For a new board member coming in, it takes a good year, year and a half, to get to know what's expected and what you can do and what you can't do," Nolan said. "Right now, I know what to expect and what to do."
Both Coates and Nolan agreed that the biggest issue facing the East Meadow School District is poor communication between the board, central administration and local residents.
"The thing that has to be addressed foremost is communication," Coates said. "I really think we became a little bit complacent, and we didn't reach out especially in a time of much turmoil."
Since late April, the district has been embroiled in an often-contentious battle with many community members over the recently passed 2002-2003 budget. A number of the parents that turned out for the two budget presentations on April 30 and May 7 complained that they were ill informed of the district's financial difficulties, which will lead to cutbacks and a tax hike in the coming year.
Regular updates in the form of mailed letters as well as budget hearings held earlier in the drafting process could remedy this problem, the two newly elected board members said.
"They have to reach out not just to the PTA and parents that come to the meetings," but also the civic groups and local senior organizations, Coates said.
However, both were quick to point out that community participation is essential to establishing a good line of communication with the district.
"There aren't too many people that attend board meetings," Nolan said. "I'd like to see more participation on the part of the community."
The two will take office on Monday, July 1, and a board reorganization meeting will take place on Tuesday, July 2.
Until then, both said they will continue to regularly attend the meetings and workshops to further acquaint themselves with issues facing the district.
In other election news, incumbent Michael Turner defeated Anthony Sereno 2,079 to 1,345 for a seat on the East Meadow Public Library Board of Trustees. Turner has sat on the library board for the past 10 years. The library's budget also passed with 2,833 yes votes to 2,198 no votes.
