By JOSEPH KELLARD
McGrath-Mulhern is co-president of the PTA at School 6 on Merle Avenue, where her sons, ages 4 and 5, attend the Kindergarten Center, and she is a real estate attorney who works at home. If elected in May, she would become the board’s only member with young children in Oceanside schools and the only attorney, two attributes she is highlighting in her bid for Graham’s seat.
“Between being a practicing attorney that represents different boards and a parent with small children, I think I will bring a unique perspective to the board in these areas,” McGrath-Mulhern said.
She was the first, and so far is the only, candidate to file petitions with the Board of Elections to run for Graham’s seat since the trustees announced Graham’s retirement at the Jan. 28 board meeting. Two incumbents, Don Maresca and Sandie Schoell, will seek re-election in May.
McGrath-Mulhern and her husband, Michael, have lived in the Oceanside School District for 15 years, first in Oceanside and now in Baldwin. Mary Jane was a litigator for 12 years in Manhattan before she had her first child and opened her home practice in 2003. She mostly represents residential cooperative boards and nonprofit organizations, and she has also represented the Oceanside Library, she said.
“She’s bright and enthusiastic, and the fact that she’s an attorney can bring a different look at things,” said Anthony Iovino, an attorney and former Oceanside school board trustee, who said he is managing McGrath-Mulhern’s campaign. When Graham, a legal secretary for the Nassau County district attorney’s office, retires in June, the board will likely be looking for a trustee who can take over her duties of overseeing the district’s policy book, which deals with a host of legal issues ranging from disciplinary matters to the number of credits students need to graduate from high school.
McGrath-Mulhern believes she’s just the candidate. “I think I would be the right person to fill this area of need for the board,” she said. “I know with Sue leaving I would have huge shoes to fill.”
She also pointed to her wide-ranging volunteer work for Oceanside organizations, which includes helping the Kiwanis Club with events such as the pancake breakfast at St. Anthony’s Church each Super Bowl Sunday, and the organization’s new summer reading program at the Schoolhouse Green on Foxhurst Road. “If people need me to volunteer, I’m always there if I’m available,” McGrath-Mulhern said.
The Oceanside school board election is scheduled for May 20.
Comments about this story? JKellard@liherald.com or (516) 569-4000 ext. 287.
