By:Nicole Falco
Michael Mastrocinque, of Valley Stream, Peter M. Mayo, of Franklin Square, and Thomas A. Speranza, of Valley Stream, are the candidates vying for the seat. The winner of the special election will join trustees Frank Chiachiere, Marie Connelly, Bonnie Gorham, Jeanne Greco Jacobs, William Stris and Cathy Subbiondo.
Michael Mastrocinque
According to biographical information he submitted to the district, Mastrocinque said that if he were elected, his primary focus would be "to ensure fiduciary responsibility in light of the post-Roslyn High School investigation." He said he is also determined to tackle residency issues in the district, promote technology in the classrooms and meet federal and state education standards.
Mastrocinque is not only a graduate of Villanova and Hofstra's School of Law, but a product of District 13 schools, having graduated from the James A. Dever, Memorial Junior High and Central High schools. In addition, he has worked in Valley Stream schools - as a teaching assistant for special-education students at Central High and as a substitute teacher in all four high school district schools.
Peter M. Mayo
Mayo's children are products of Valley Stream schools. His two sons graduated from the Willow Road School. "My family has been the recipient of a fabulous education from both the elementary and the high school system of Valley Stream," Mayo said in a written statement. "I now feel that it is time for me to offer something back to my community."
According to Mayo, his campaign has a three-pronged focus - fiscal responsibility, residency and accountability. He is calling for a reduction in the amount of money spent on the administration, and for more money to be filtered directly to classrooms. Mayo said that an increased effort is needed to combat the problem of nonresident students attending the district's schools.
Mayo is a retired bus operator and a graduate of the New York School of Printing.
Thomas A. Speranza
Speranza's goals include promoting cooperation among parents, teachers and school and district administrators. It is also his belief that the most important issue facing the district is "creating an environment that is conducive to academic achievement, especially in the areas of mathematics, science, reading and writing."
In his statement to the district, Speranza wrote, "I feel very strongly that the levels of academic excellence should not only be maintained, but raised to the highest standards possible."
Speranza is a retired electrical engineer with a degree in electrical engineering who has taken graduate-level courses in electrical engineering and business. His daughter is a graduate of Valley Stream schools, including Howell Road School. Speranza is currently a substitute teacher in District 13 and the high school district.
Meet the candidates
The District 13 Interschool Council of PTAs is hosting a Meet the Candidates Forum on Tuesday, Nov. 9, at 7:30 p.m., at the James A. Dever School, 585 North Corona Ave.
Comments about this story? NFalco@liherald.com or (516) 569-4000 ext. 208.
