By Damian J. Troise
Casting the fourth and deciding vote, Braverman defeated fellow trustee Stephanie Gould, after more than an hour of arguing among board members and a short closed-door session, during the Tuesday, July 2 meeting. Debate became personal several times throughout the meeting, as board members stated they wanted a unified board, and then proceeded to fight.
It was clear to everyone on the board that Richard was going to step down after this year, said Robert Jay, board trustee. I would like the board to be united, but I would like Richard to be honorable.
There will be no unity on the board unless there is a change in leadership, he added.
Jay and other board members said Braverman promised he would not seek re-election as president this year, adding that part of the reason he was re-elected last year was because he promised he would not seek another term.
Howard Weinick, who was re-elected as school board vice president, was nominated as president but turned down it down, saying he did not want the board to become split.
But the board was split almost evenly, with Gould, Jay and Elyse Coleman voting for Gould; Weinick, Stephanie Gallo, and newly-elected board member Teena Ditchek
Korman cast their ballots for Braverman, who then broke the tie.
I don't think any board should have a dynasty, said Gould. I think the time has come that we have to change leadership.
Braverman could not be reached for comment after the July 2 reorganization meeting, but during the meeting Braverman conceded that he had promised he would not run again. Even [Gov.] Pataki changed his mind about running again, Braverman said during the meeting.
Staying united and keeping the community's trust were issues mentioned throughout the debate. Several board members said a rift in the board will widen the gap between the board and community.
Korman, who was sworn in as trustee during the meeting, stated the board must gain trust from the community in order to do its job. After talk of new leadership and new direction, Korman questioned what that new direction may be.
I don't agree whether something was stated a year ago it has anything to do with tonight, she said.
Braverman stated he simply changed his mind and referred to a phone conversation with Jay over a month ago, when he changed it.
Former board member Ellie Greenberg also opposed Braverman's acceptance as president for the 2002-2003 year.
Anybody who thinks they are the only person who can do something is a danger to everybody, she said. The board must move forward because nobody is indispensable.
The board has been incohesive, according to Gould who believes the board's position is too close to the district's position on many issues.
We have to establish procedures that allow the district to run a little bit more independently, Gould said.
The issue of implementing term limits for the president came up briefly during the meeting, but the idea died down as board members argued their position.
Korman said she would like to see more board members further involved in the issues, but doesn't believe a change in presidency will do that.
By switching the leadership position every so often, other members of the board feel they are not being left out of the loop, Gould said.
The president is no more important than any other member on the board, Korman said. The board has to work together regardless of who is president, she said.
