Manhasset resident Marirose Merola is familiar with the territory at her local school district.
A co-founder of PASS (Parents Aligned to Support our Schools) and member of the Citizens Education Committee and Manhasset School Community Association, Merola has been involved with the Board since 2004, when the district was on austerity budget.
Now in 2014, she plans to run against incumbent Pat Aitken for a seat on the Board. Merola is a 14-year resident of Manhasset.
“I’m not a new face but I want to bring a new voice to the Board,” said Merola. “With my education and business background I think I’d be a good addition.”
She is running against Aitken, who is seeking her fourth two-year term as a trustee.
If elected, Merola said she plans to continue supporting the academic programs in the high school so, “that students get the necessary experience and education to get into good colleges.”
She also wants to implement new programs at the elementary school level, possibly reintroducing foreign languages into the current curriculum.
“I want to change the conversation and the direction of our community and to continue to build upon the highest academic standards for our students within the two percent tax cap,”she said.
One of her goals is to work with some of the younger families in the district to get their perspective on what changes need to be made and what programs they’d like to see in place
Merola said she has worked closely with the school board over the last 12 years, following the budget process and working with School Superintendent Charles Cardillo in PASS and CEC.
“I believe that my diverse professional skills would benefit the board as it evaluates its curriculum in the next two years,” she said.
Merola grew up in West Hempstead and graduated from West Hempstead High School. She received an MBA from St. John’s University and an MA from Touro College. She currently teaches Special Education at Calhoun High School in the Bellmore/Merrick school district. She has two children, one a sophomore at Manhasset High School and one a sophomore at Clemson University.
She also taught Faith Formation classes at St. Mary’s Parish for eight years.
The school district has confirmed that Merola’s petition has been filed and an “at large” election will occur at the May 20 vote. An at large election means whoever receives the most votes will win the seat.
