Voters in the Glen Cove City School District will choose from among three candidates running for two open seats on the Board of Education in the May 19 election. Incumbents Angela Raimo and Maria Elena Venuto are seeking re-election, while newcomer Robert Nosek is running for the first time. The at-large positions carry three-year terms.
Nosek, 58, an attorney and a longtime North Shore resident, said his professional background and community involvement make him a strong candidate for the board. He has twin daughters who are sophomores at Glen Cove High School, and he has been involved in the district through the PTA and as a parent representative on the district’s Technology Committee.
Nosek, who practices both transactional and litigation law, said his experience navigating financial challenges and negotiating solutions would be valuable in a governance role. “I have a lot of perspective and skills that could be useful on the board,” he said. “I think I can be a good fit for the school board, and that I can serve my community.”
Asked about his priorities, Nosek pointed to strengthening communication and collaboration between the school district and the broader community. “We are collectively Glen Cove,” he said. “We want to be able to strengthen that bond.”
He also highlighted emerging issues such as artificial intelligence in education, noting his experience growing up in Silicon Valley and encountering A.I. in the legal field. “A.I. is an issue that comes up now at different grade levels,” he said. “I think I can help inform policies the district may need regarding students’ use and interaction with A.I.”
Addressing the district’s financial outlook, Nosek acknowledged challenges including declining enrollment and rising costs. “There is some responsibility to the taxpayers to make sure that their money is being spent properly,” he said, while emphasizing that student needs remain the board’s primary focus.
Raimo, 43, currently the board president, was first elected in 2021 and is seeking another term after initially filling a vacant seat. Her time on the board, she said, has been defined by both major capital improvements and navigating administrative changes.
“One of the things that got me really involved was the bond,” Raimo said, referring to the district’s $30.5 million capital bond project, approved in the 2022 budget vote. “Seeing all these projects come to fruition has been very rewarding.”
Maintaining that momentum while balancing fiscal responsibility, Raimo said, will be a key focus moving forward. “It’s a bit of a balancing act,” she said of decisions about whether to pursue additional bonds or rely on capital reserves for future improvements.
Raimo also pointed to the importance of stability in district leadership, highlighting recent administrative turnover and what she described as a strong current team. “We’ve got a great team,” she said. “Our picks have been really visionary, and they’re making things happen.”
Having served on a number of committees, including Audit, Policy and Safety, Raimo said her experience has prepared her to contribute more effectively. “At the beginning, it was a learning experience,” she said of her time on the board. “Now I feel like I’m able to make more informed decisions because of what I’ve learned through the years.”
Venuto, 60, who was first elected in 2015, is also seeking another term, emphasizing her longtime involvement in district improvements and student advocacy.
“I’m very invested in the schools as a vital part of our community,” she said. “The success of our students is really at the core of what we do.”
Venuto highlighted ongoing facilities needs as a major priority, noting that while progress has been made thanks to past bond projects, additional work remains. “We still have buildings that need attention,” she said, pointing to improvements needed at Connolly and Gribbin elementary schools and Finley Middle School.
She also emphasized her focus on expanding opportunities for students beyond high school. “I’m very interested in seeing how our kids progress once they leave the school system,” she said. “That speaks to whether we’re doing a good job.”
In addition to facilities, Venuto pointed to continued investment in arts programming and student mental health resources as key components of her work on the board.
Reflecting on her tenure, she said that experience is a critical factor in effective governance. “It takes time to learn how to be a good school board member,” she said. “I feel like the district has made an investment in me understanding that role, and I’d like to continue building on that.”
Voting will take place at designated polling sites on May 19, with residents deciding on both the board seats and the district budget.
