Farrell, Pomerantz compete for empty seat in District 13

There are two seats up for grabs on the District 13 Board of Education this year. Joan Gartner, a trustee for the past four years, has decided not to run again. Vying for her spot are PTA leader Patty Farrell and retiring teacher Toni Pomerantz.

The second seat is held by Joseph DiSibio, who is seeking re-election. He is being challenged by Patrick Heaney. The winners of each seat will get three-year terms to serve Valley Stream’s largest elementary district.

A meet the candidates night will be held on Thursday, May 16 at 7 p.m. at the James A. Dever School. Voting will take place on Tuesday, May 21 from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. at the district’s four elementary schools, along with the school budget vote. District 13 serves parts of Valley Stream, Malverne, North Valley Stream, Franklin Square and Elmont.

Patricia Farrell

Ever since her children were in their early days at Wheeler Avenue, Patty Farrell has been involved with the schools. She served as president of the elementary school’s PTA and is now wrapping up a two-year term as president of the Central/Memorial PTSA.

Running for a seat on the District 13 Board of Education has been on her mind for a while, and she said now she will have the time to devote to the volunteer position. “I just feel they need more of parent presence,” she said of the board.

Farrell, who has two sons in the high school district, said she would bring the ideas and concerns of parents to the rest of the board. She said it would also give her the opportunity to know more about the inner workings of a school district, so she could explain decisions to fellow parents.

If elected, she said her goal would be simple — to ensure that students are receiving the best possible education. She supports the Common Core Learning Standards as a way of unifying the curriculum across the state and country. If a child moves, she said, they shouldn’t miss a beat in terms of their education.