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Cone, Shinnick and Sparacio seek seats on NB School Board
Although candidate Alice T. Cone may be newcomer to the campaign trail, but she is well known in the North Babylon community. A 42-year resident, she raised six children, all of who graduated from the district, and is now watching her grandchildren go through the schools. "I decided to get involved because we are a district in transition and I am concerned where we are heading," said Cone, a retired New York State special education teacher who said the district is looking for a new school superintendent and an assistant superintendent of personnel. According to Cone, the district is also without a math director and a general guidance director, due to budget restraints in the past. "How can we guide our children if we have no one looking into colleges or alternatives and finding out the latest information for them," she asked. "This district is understaffed, in my opinion," she said. Her opponent agrees. "We are in a state of flux and we have a lot to figure out," said James "Jay" Shinnick. "Our test scores are low and there are a lot of things to be tackled." Shinnick has 28-years experience in finances and said he would bring that expertise to the board if elected to help resolve some of the financial issues facing the district. Cohn said she would focus on finances as well. "Eighty percent of our budget goes to salaries, and our taxes are still rising every year even through we've eliminated programs," she said. "Someone has to look at where our money is going and see if it's being spent in our children's best interest." Cone is a retired Director of Human Resources for the State University of Old Westchester. Shinnick, who has been active in the school's parent teacher associations for about 12 years and is the chair of the budget committee. He said looking for ways to cut costs is a priority in the district. "We instituted a suspension school in which kids attend at night instead of a teacher going to their home during the day and that saved the district money," said Shinnick, 52-year who is a lifelong North Babylon resident. "I would like to research more programs like that." For example, Shinnick said that he'd like to look into the special education program, which is a large cost in the district. "How do you get the kids the help they need so that they don't stay in special education during their whole educational experience," he asked. "By inclusion classes? Let's find something that's innovative and long term." In 2005 Cone was named a NYS Woman of Distinction by State Senator Owen Johnson for humanitarian work with the S.C. Human Rights Commission, Catholics of African Ancestry, Resurrection House and the Central Long Island NAACP. Shinnick is active in SONIAY, a local youth foundation and is a host parent for foreign exchange students. "We can go forward in this district or go back," said Cone. "I would like to be part of the process of moving forward." Incumbent Trustee John Sparacio could not be reached for an interview before press time. Trustees are volunteers and serve without financial compensation for their work. They are responsible for drafting and monitoring the budget, hiring and setting school district policy.
Residents are asked to vote for their trustees and school budget on Tuesday, May 15 from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. at local elementary schools.
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