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Six run for three seats on West Babylon School Board; newcomers challenge old guard
The election is at large, which means that the three candidates who receive the most votes will be seated. Running for reelection are Robert Congiusta, Lucy Campasano and Kathleen Jennings. They are opposed by Joseph Romano, Wendy DeGaetano and Diane Klein. "We do have a greater interest because we have children in the schools now and we are trying to get our chance at serving," said Romano, a 15-year resident of the district and business owner and father of three. "I think we can bring a unique perspective to the board," said DeGaetano, a 19-year resident of the district who has five children. "I have always been involved in my children's education, have been active in PTA and believe I have a lot to contribute from a parent's perspective." "I find that discriminatory," countered Campasano, a resident of West Babylon for 38 years. "When someone is elected to the Board of Education or any position, it does not matter which group supports you or what your personal interests are. Every board member has to represent all of the students first and foremost, as well as all taxpayers." "I don't only represent the 5,000 children in the schools," said Jennings. "I also represent 40,000 residents and taxpayers who may or may not have chilby dren in the schools, and that is what board members are supposed to do. You have to look at the broader picture." Congiusta, a 55 year resident of the district who graduated from West Babylon Schools, said that while he and his running mates may not have children in the district, that could translate into a positive during negotiations with the district's bargaining units. "We have experience in negotiations, union contracts and will be strong at the bargaining table," he said. "And we keep in touch with the community in other ways. The three challengers- Romano, DeGaetano and Klein- all said that they believe the board has done a good job of running the schools and that they have no major issues or political difference with them. However, they said there are things they'd like to change, if elected. One is the way in which the board conducts its regular meetings. "Right now the board opens the meeting at 7:30 p.m. and after an introduction, goes immediately into executive session," said Romano. "The teachers and the public sit and wait in the board room for them to return and that can take as long as two or three hours. As far as I am concerned, that is a deterrent, and the public is not being given a fair opportunity to speak their mind and ask questions." The incumbents responded that there are sensitive issues that they must discuss out of the purview of the public forum, and that they often take time. Romano counters that the board should then hold another meeting at least once or twice a month to allow for public participation at a reasonable hour. Romano owns a communications company and says he works with multi-million contracts, something that provides him with the financial experience he'd like to bring to the board, he said. He is a member of West Babylon Youth Basketball, football and treasurer of the West Babylon Baseball League. Campasano has served on the board for 15 years and is proud, she said, of the excellent educational and athletic programs in the district. She is a member of the West Babylon Sports Parents, helps to raise money for scholarships, is part of the West B a b y l o n Wellness organization and has grandchildren and nieces and nephews who attend West Babylon schools. "I am in tune with the children and have the time and energy to attend many functions throughout the year," she said. Congiusta has been on the board for 6 years and is proudest, he said, of the major renovations and improvements to school facilities that have been completed during his tenure. He said he wants to work to bring the district through the transitional stage as longtime Superintendent of Schools Mel Noble leaves and is replaced by Anthony Cacciola. DeGaetano is a 19-year resident of the district and has children in the high, junior and South Bay schools. She has two children who graduated from the district. She owns Body Language Theater Arts Studio in Massapequa and serves as corresponding secretary for both the PTSA and the PTA Council. She is a member of the music parents association, is a PTSA School Quality Team representative and scout leader. Jennings has served on the board for three years and has been a resident since 1980. A RN, she works for the Veterans Administration, serving returning Iraqi veterans. She and her husband, a lifelong resident of West Babylon, have two children, one a New York City Police Officer and the other who is attending college. "I'd like to work with the new superintendent helping make the transition smooth and provide some consistency," said Jennings. "West Babylon is a wonderful place to work and the academic results we have been able to achieve speak for themselves." Klein is a 42-year resident of West Babylon and has two children, one a recent West Babylon graduate and the other a sophomore. She is active in the Music Parents Association and PTSA. She is also a member of the West Babylon Fire Department Ladies Auxiliary and is a cub scout leader. She has a BA in special education and works with autistic children in an East Northport school. School board candidates are volunteers and receive no financial compensation for their work. They are responsible for setting school policy, hire staff upon recommendations made to them by administrators and maintain responsibility for the district's budget.
The budget vote and trustee election is Tuesday, May 15. The polls are open from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m.
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