By VICTORIA A. CARUSO
"I will continue to look out for the best interests of the school district and our children."
Matthew Kuschner
Dr. Matthew Kuschner was re-elected to the North Merrick Board of Education during a special election held on Tuesday, August 8.
Dr. Kuschner, who was opposed by last minute, write-in candidate William Burgermeir, received 31 votes; Mr. Burgermeir, a retired member of the North Merrick community, received one vote.
The special election was ordered by State Education Commissioner Richard Mills after a year long investigation into "irregularities" Dr. Kuschner claimed invalidated the election.
In June, State Education Commissioner Richard Mills ordered that the North Merrick School District's May, 1999 election be annulled and a new election be held.
Commissioner Mills agreed with Dr. Kuschner's claims that a mechanical defect with the voting booths and misleading ballots enabled 67 residents to cast ballots for both himself and opponent Linda Fuller.
Dr. Kuschner said he appreciates the support he received from the community. "I want to thank those who voted for taking time out from their busy schedules and coming out on a hot summer day to show their faith in me," he said. "I will continue to look out for the best interests of the school district and our children."
Dr. Kuschner, who originally ran for a three-year term, will hold the board seat until May, 2002. Ms Fuller has since been appointed to fill another seat on the board, that of Douglas Kaye, who left to become business administrator for the district. To keep the seat, Ms. Fuller will need to run for election in May 2001.
