— By Molly Pierce Healey
The residents of the Mineola School District will cast their votes for the budget and for two trustee seats on the board of education next week. Much is at stake in this election.
For eight years, the school district has kept the tax levy at under 2.50 percent while keeping all programs intact. Music, arts, sports, technology, just to name a few. Many capital improvements have been completed (windows, doors, auditoriums, etc). Many capital improvements have been completed ( windows, doors, auditoriums, etc). Remarkable, especially in a climate of economic uncertainty and the fact that several surrounding districts have had to cut programs and float bonds to make repairs.
The bar has been set higher for our children and the district’s embracing of technology has reaped many benefits for our students. Mineola has set a standard that many districts envy.
For six years, Christine Napolitano has served this community well as a trustee, vice president and president. Her accomplishments while seated on the board are many. Her record speaks for itself. During her tenure on the board, our district and our children have benefited immeasurably as a result of her hard work and dedication. This is a different school district than it was six years ago. She loves our community and the children whom she has a responsibility to protect.
Brian Widman is an upstanding man and citizen of our community. Having attended board meetings on a regular basis for over seven years, he is well informed regarding the job of trustee. A devoted dad, involved parent and leader, he will be a wonderful addition to the board.
It is imperative that we continue down the district’s successful path that has been paved by so many who care so deeply about our children. I ask that this community reject the notion that an act of political revenge directed at our board of education (for standing up to protect all the taxpayers) will be the reason that all the tremendous strides to improve our schools will be for naught.
