By JEFF LIPTON
Two-term incumbent Patrick Gallagher is running for re-election to a three-year term, while Dr. Dennis Ryan and Alex Rubin are making their first bids for a trustee post. The decision by Ruth Kaleko not to seek re-election after 12 years on the board has left a seat up for grabs. The top two vote-getters will win seats.
Gallagher, a retired high school principal, is an adjunct professor at Nassau Community College and a curriculum associate for Syracuse University. He said that when he first ran for office six years ago, his main objective was to keep the school district's budget in check, and over the past four years the budget hike has steadily declined, from 6.22 percent in 2005-06 to a proposed 4.58 percent increase for 2008-09.
"I have always wanted to address taxpayers' [concerns]," said Gallagher, a 61-year resident of Long Beach whose daughter graduated from Long Beach High School in 2005 and is a junior in college. "I always want to keep the budget under control and I'm proud of that hallmark."
He said that the proposed budget is a sound one, maintaining all programs for children while remaining realistic for taxpayers. "I'm happy with it, but I would like it to be lower, of course," said Gallagher, referring to the proposed increase.
Ryan, a 30-year resident of Long Beach, is an assistant superintendent of schools in Great Neck. He is familiar with Long Beach schools, having worked in the district for 27 years as a school psychologist, athletic director and director of pupil services.
A member of the budget advisory committee, Ryan called the 2008-09 spending plan "reasonable," even though he said he believes it may have too many administrative costs. He is running, he said, "because I think we can do a better job of preparing students for the demands of the 21st century. And we have to draw more parents in there. We have to engage them."
Ryan said that the job of educators is to prepare students for life after high school, whether it involves competing for jobs in the workplace or a spot at a prestigious university. "I think we do need improvement in academics and not be complacent about where we are," he said. "We can do better with our scores and performance and work harder."
Ryan said that if he is elected, his chief priority will be to assess the district's administrative structure and review the district's report cards "to see where we are and where we should be."
Rubin said that if he were to win a seat, one of his goals would be to involve more community members in the process. "There's a lot of apathy in the community," said Rubin, who is retired from his apparel business in Manhattan, where he worked for 20 years. He added that his business background would be a major asset to the school board.
He said the board needs more business people to manage the proposed $112.6 million budget. "It's a lot of money," said Rubin, who was a member of the budget committee. He believes the budget will pass, he said, because "it's fair."
Rubin said that if the district were proposing a 10 percent budget hike instead of less than 5 percent, "more people would get involved because it'll hit them in their pocketbook. I want people to get involved to better their community and to better their schools.
"I am very interested in community involvement, pulling everyone together, because everything revolves around the schools," said Rubin, a Lido Beach resident for 15 years, going on to say that Long Beach schools must show improvement on standardized tests. "I want to see the grades improved of every kid from the top to the lower level. Everyone should be pushing themselves forward."
Rubin has two children who attend Long Beach Middle School, so, he said, he has a major stake in the success of the school district. "I'm a product of public education," he said. "I don't want to lose to the private schools."
Gallagher explained that the district has approved the replacement of department chairs with directors for each subject in kindergarten through 12th grade and, if re-elected, he wants to help oversee the change. He said that each director will be solely responsible for supervising the English, math, social studies and science departments as the chairs are phased out by the end of the school year in 2009.
Gallagher also said he wants to remain an active part of the "envisioning" process, which began with a community meeting on March 29 at which a road map was created for the district for the next five to 10 years, focusing on five major areas: student achievement, curriculum and instruction, community interaction, finances and facilities. "It has smart goals and creates a level of accountability, and I want to see those goals carried out over the next three years," said Gallagher.
Another priority of his, the incumbent said, would be to improve the infrastructure of the schools. "The physical structure of the buildings needs to be addressed," Gallagher said. "They are in bad shape, and that includes the classrooms and the fields."
Ryan said that his familiarity with the district could be a major asset to the board. "I think I have a tremendous amount of experience," he said, adding that he was a longtime golf coach at Long Beach High. "I know the schools. I know how they work. I was a coach, so I saw the kids before and after school."
Ryan said he also hopes to focus on repair of the buildings, which are very old. And addressing the implications of declining enrollment would be high on his list of priorities. "We have to make the public schools in Long Beach more attractive for parents who feel like putting their kids in private or parochial schools," Ryan said.
"I'm running because I think it's my time now," Ryan added. "I love the schools in Long Beach."
Rubin said he is a completely independent candidate. "I have no baggage," he said. "My only negative is that I'm not an educator and I don't know the ins and the outs, but I have the business experience. I have a lot of time to dedicate to the board, and I have the energy."
Comments about this story? JLipton@liherald.com or (516) 569-4000 ext. 210.
