By JOSEPH KELLARD
If elected May 17, Taylor vows to be an independent voice on the board and to bring greater equality to the district, and Schoell plans to use her self-described strong and respected voice to improve safety and communication skills in the schools.
In interviews conducted last week, the two candidates, who spoke very highly of each other, discussed their goals for the Oceanside schools and how they would deal with the modern public- school system if elected.
Taylor said she believes more can be done to equalize everything from study skills between the elementary schools to the way residential and commercial property owners share the school tax burden. "We need a little bit more equality within the schools, more of an equal playing field," said Taylor, who has two sons in Oceanside schools.
She added that because principals of each elementary school are responsible for how study skills are implemented, when their students reach the middle school "teachers can tell which kid went to what school by the way they take notes." Further, being privy to additional information about taxation in the district as a board candidate, Taylor said she would like to see business owners in Oceanside pay a greater share of school taxes.
Gangs and safety
With the younger of her two sons in middle school, Schoell cited safety issues, particularly the growing gang presence in Oceanside and neighboring towns, as a top priority. "Just that kids would even be tempted to join a gang is a major concern," she said.
Schoell, who said she regularly attends workshops in Nassau County on gang awareness, said she would use connections she has made in law enforcement to bring more gang-related workshops to Oceanside, and would work to obtain grants from local politicians for prevention and intervention programs for the school district.
Academically, Schoell believes the gatekeeper of all curricula is language arts, and said the board and district must take a serious look into improving students' oral and written communication skills. "You're not going to be successful if you can't read, comprehend and express yourself," she said. "Even in math, everything has to be verbally expressed."
Independence and accountability
In addition to describing herself as a leader who is good at weighing pros and cons when making decisions and is generous with her time, energy and finances, Taylor emphasized her independence. "As a board member, I would evaluate what's happening, make my own opinion, and vote accordingly," she vowed, "which is something that's lacking on the board. I'm totally independent, I'm not beholden to anyone, and I'd question things."
As an example of her independence, Taylor cited her spearheading the implementation of full-day kindergarten in the district, which she characterized as a controversial issue that met with serious opposition. Taylor then served as PTA president at the Kindergarten Center for a year, and while serving on the curriculum committee pushed for Spanish to be taught at that school.
A PTA president at School 8 for two years and at OHS for the past four years, Schoell pointed to her experience in these positions and to her service on various committees, from the Buildings and Grounds to the Principal Search committees, as among her strongest assets. "I've really gotten to know most of the constituencies in this community very well," Schoell said, "and that's helpful when you need to network and problem-solve or even to just get information."
Both Schoell and Taylor agree with the district's decision to hire an independent auditor. Schoell, however, said that if elected, she would go further and recommend a forensic auditor, who would be hired to periodically target random sections of the budget for intense review.
"This would take away the temptation on the part of the auditor to hold back on any concerns or possible problems they might see, because they might fear losing their contract with the district," Schoell said, stressing that the board should take this step cooperatively with neighboring districts.
As both the comptroller and chief financial officer of the Oceanside-based Barad Audio-Video and a trustee of the Oceanside Library Board, Taylor believes she would be an asset to the district in its auditing capacity. "Whatever the independent auditor will bring to the board," Taylor said, "I will be able to interpret it and know whether an issue is something we should delve into or if it's normal in business."
Both candidates said they support the district's 2005-06 budget of $105.4 million, a 6.4 percent increase over the current year. Schoell believes the district's personnel work hard to produce budgets that adequately balance the concerns of taxpayers and the education "that makes students competitive," she said.
While Taylor agrees with this and likes the fact that the district takes unspent funds from the previous budget and applies them to next budget, she claimed, "I do believe they put a little bit extra in a lot of lines, even if it's $1,000 here and there, and this could probably be slimmed down a little bit."
O'Conner's is the first contested vacant seat since May 2000, when three candidates ran for two seats. Board members serve three-year terms.
"No matter if I lose, Oceanside will not lose," Taylor said, "because I think the community has two worthy candidates in me and Sandi. It's a win-win situation for the community."
The school board election and budget vote will be held from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. on May 17.
Comments about this story? DMiller@liherald.com or (516) 569-4000 ext. 213.
