By Cindy J. Roth
The definitions of a great leader are embodied in Bellmore Board of Education President Peg Geraffo. Now, after 15 years, the board's steadying influence plans to step down at the end of the school year to pursue other avenues of life.
"She is really the center point in an ever-changing universe," said Board of Education Trustee Jay L.T. Breakstone. "As board members, we really rely on her to provide a continuum as to how things were and how things are going to be. She is a very powerful rudder on the board, and we will sorely miss her."
Geraffo, 57, first became involved in the schools as a PTA member when her three children, now in their mid and late 20s, were in elementary school. After serving as PTA president, Geraffo said she did not feel like she was finished. There were other things in the district that she believed needed to be done.
At first, Geraffo did not succeed in winning election to the school board. She lost by 100 votes. But Geraffo was determined to join the board and make a difference. She won election the following year in 1987. Since then, Geraffo has pushed for the change from neighborhood schools to centers, for full-day kindergarten and a foreign language program, all of which have come to be during her tenure.
The biggest change the district has witnessed over the years, according to Geraffo, has been the move from individual neighborhood schools supporting kindergarten to sixth grade to three district centers with varying grade levels in each school. Convincing Bellmorites the change was necessary and advantageous to their children's education was an arduous battle for the school board.
"[The move from neighborhood schools to centers] was very, very difficult," said Geraffo. "We tried to do it once, and the community was not ready for it. It was hard for people who said they moved here because they do not want their kids on a bus."
The new district configuration, which went into place seven years ago, provided for every Bellmore child to learn according to the same curriculum. Education became streamlined.
"I'm well aware of the area and the high esteem education is held in, in this part of Long Island," said Geraffo, who grew up in North Bellmore. "We realize these kids will have to compete in the outside world, and we try to make them ready for that."
The center approach also helped to pave the way for full-day kindergarten. After taking back most of the Reinhard school building that was leased by Little Village School, the Bellmore School District, which will have complete run of the building come summer, inaugurated full-day kindergarten in the district this past fall. Geraffo said full-day kindergarten was a long-awaited dream for her and the district -- and ultimately the children and the community.
"Her only concern has been our children and community," said Bellmore Board of Education Trustee Janet Goller of Geraffo. "She has no special interests, no hidden agendas. She really got involved because she cares about all the children."
Geraffo's love and focus for the children does not go unnoticed by the people who work with her. All of the board members and Superintendent Sheldon Dumain said Geraffo's steadfast goal to work in the best interest of the children is unparalleled.
"One of the most important things that Peg has brought to the board is she is always interested in the welfare of the children," said Board of Education Vice President Sherry Skolnik. "She was never involved in this to benefit herself or her kids. She always cares about what really is best for all kids, and that comes with experience. When you lose an experienced board member like that who is really interested in that broad overview, it usually takes awhile for a new person to understand it's not just about his or her kids. [Geraffo] sees the big picture."
Geraffo said the bigger picture is definitely easier to see once your children are out of the district and the decisions one makes as a board member do not directly affect them.
"You can see things a littler clearer," said Geraffo. "It's not on a personal level any longer."
Geraffo also sat for 11 years on the Bellmore-Merrick Central Board of Education. Working with many different trustees, superintendents, parents, teachers and students over the years also taught Geraffo that the best point to make is one that is said softly but resonates loudly.
"[Geraffo] knows what is good management, and she knows that you don't need pyrotechnics to get a point across," said Skolnik, who will take over as Bellmore board president. "She is not flashy in the sense of erupting or always being very vociferous, but she makes her point in a very calm and steady manner."
Geraffo said what she will miss most about serving on the school board is the board's camaraderie and seeing the children take part in concerts and plays, which reinforces why she serves on the board. But after 15 years, Geraffo said it is just time.
"At this point, I've pretty much seen everything," said Geraffo. "There is nothing new coming down. I've had labor problems and building problems and busing problems, and they all get solved. It's time to explore other avenues of life. I would love to have the time to travel and spend time elsewhere without the restraints of having to be home for a meeting. It will be nice to see what's on TV on Tuesday nights because I don't know."
