By Liz McBreen
Two contested seats are also up for a June 3 vote in the Elmont district, and residents gathered at Clara Carlson Elementary School on May 12 to hear the candidates' opinions on topics that are of concern to them. Incumbent Ken Williams, who has served on the Elmont board for six years, is being challenged by Sam Glaser, while Joy Madera, a trustee for eight years, is being opposed by Patrick Nicolosi.
Williams is a retired American Airlines employee and a U.S. Army veteran. During his business career, he owned both a travel agency and a beauty salon in Queens. In October of 2001, he became a pastor at The Elim International Fellowship in Brooklyn. Williams describes himself as an advocate for kids. "That is why I am here on the board," he said. "I want to assist in doing something special for children."
Williams would like to see the Saturday Language Academy, currently offered only at Gotham Avenue, expanded to all schools in the district. He considers himself a "people person," and says that he has brought moral character and stability to the board and would like to continue to do so. He says that one of the strengths the current board enjoys is its ability to work together and communicate regardless of different points of view.
Ferrigno has lived in Elmont all her life, and is now opening a law practice in the community. After the events of Sept. 11, 2001, she decided to leave a high-pressure position as a partner at a Madison Avenue law firm in order to work in her hometown. Ferrigno says that she has a vested interest in the education offered in the Elmont district, since she and her husband plan to raise a family in the community. "As a lawyer, I am able to make decisions and presentations quickly," she said. "I will work to make sure Elmont will receive everything it deserves. I have the tenacity of a litigator that is needed to balance the needs of the diverse Elmont community." Ferrigno plans to "leave no rock unturned" when it comes to finding grants and other funding for the district and its outstanding bonds.
She sees her long history of community involvement and civic-mindedness as one of her strengths and an asset for a school board trustee.
Nicolosi has been a resident of Elmont since 1967. He is on the Elmont Quality of Life Committee and a member of the Covert Avenue PTA. "All of my children have gone through the Elmont school system and they all received an excellent education," he said. "I am proud of the schools that did so much for my children, and it is time I did something in return."
Nicolosi wants to improve education, and he is also concerned about the current fiscal state of the district, saying that Elmont is at a financial crossroads, with two outstanding bonds and a deficit.
If elected, he intends to act as a liaison between schools and parents and to continue his battle to end the rental of illegal apartments in Elmont. He also vows to be a watchdog for taxpayers.
Madera has been a trustee on the Elmont School Board for eight years. "My heart has always been with the children, and my commitment is evidentk," she said. "I am an advocate for all children, and I know their needs first hand." She has been involved in the PTA, resolving safety issues at the schools and keeping the public informed about various issues.
The whole community should be proud of the achievements that the individual schools have made in the past few years, says Madera. "This board sees the differences in the community as challenges, not obstacles," she said. "We have made many accomplishments, and none of it happened by chance." Madera highlighted the lean budgets that the board has created together over the past five years, and said that the district is three-quarters of the way through handling its deficit.
Madera says that the Elmont board works as a team. "We are all independent thinkers," she said. "We are passionate about our positions, but we can step back and appreciate each other's views as well."
Glaser has lived in Elmont for 15 years, and has served on the PTA, PAL and Elmont CYO. He feels that because of Elmont's diversity, it needs trustees on the board that will bring enthusiasm and unify the community. "I see Elmont schools as community centers," he said. "I want people to come into the elementary schools for activities and entertainment."
Glaser would also like to bridge the gap between schools and parents. He feels that too much money is being spent on English as a Second Language and special education, with few results. "We are not seeing the results, because we are not following up at home," he said. Glaser says that parents know the individual needs of their children, and their input costs nothing. His plan is to reach out to parents through a partnership with various religious organizations.
He would like to ensure that all the mandates of the No Child Left Behind bill are secured in the years to come, so that the state has no reason to become directly involved in the education offered in Elmont.
During the forum, Nicolosi brought up the national conference that the school board members attend every year. He doesn't feel it's necessary, especially in difficult financial times, for more than one school board representative to attend a national conference that is paid for by the taxpayers.
Madera explained why the district sends more than one representative to conferences by saying, "There are over 100 topics being discussed at once. Before we go, we map out which seminars each of us will attend, and then we share the information." Madera feels that these conferences are important because board members learn about the trends going on all over the country. "We have to know how to give each child the best, and you cannot make decisions unless you are informed," he said.
Williams agreed with Madera, saying, "We are responsible for a multi-million-dollar organization. The results of going to these conferences proves that they are necessary. We always bring back new information and enhance education in our schools."
The lack of a middle school in the district was also discussed by the candidates. Williams is concerned about students going straight into high school from elementary school, and he would rather see a middle school. "The issues that confront the children may be overwhelming," he said. "I think it takes a year or so for them to adjust."
Ferrigno agrees that beginning high school in the seventh grade is a an adjustment, but she does not see re-opening a middle school as a realistic possibility for Elmont. Ideally, Nicolosi would also like to see a middle school, but feels it will not happen. "All of my kids went from Covert Avenue to Sewanhaka," he said. "It was difficult, but they adjusted."
Madera has given thought to the issue over the years, and she would like to see a "school within a school," a system created for districts with such a challenge. The Jericho School District has implemented the plan successfully, according to Madera.
A school within a school includes separate administration offices, entrances and cafeterias for junior high and high school students. "Adjusting to a new school is always hard, but this would make the change easier," said Madera.
Glaser suggested that the adjustment is more difficult for parents than for students. "Maybe it is the parents that are afraid," he said. "It is an adjustment, but we have to give our kids some credit, and we have to deal with the facilities we have."
School Board elections and the budget vote will be held on June 3 at all of the elementary schools from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m.
