On Election Day, May 19, Westbury School District residents will take to the polls to vote for the proposed budget, as well as the two open seats on the Board of Education that are up for three-year terms. Running for those seats are current trustees Dr. Pless Dickerson and John Simpkins and former trustee Larry Wornum.
Dickerson, the current Board of Education president, is running for his fourth term, saying he wants to contribute to the educational system of his community’s children. The 40-year Westbury resident and 45-year educator noted increased enrollment and maintaining the budget within the 2 percent cap as some of the district’s biggest problems.
“The growth has placed a strain on the resources for educating children. I will continue to work with the Board of Education trustees and school administrators to seek options which will enhance our educational program,” Dickerson said about the increased enrollment. “With the ever- rising cost of education, it has been a challenge to minimize the financial impact on the resident homeowner. I will continue to participate to seek additional funding from the state through lobbying efforts.”
Another major issue is the implementation of the Common Core. Dickerson noted that these standards are a challenge for many school districts, especially ones like Westbury that have a “diverse student body of abilities.”
“The district has taken a problem-solving approach to designing and implementing strategies to improve performance,” Dickerson said. “Despite many challenges, the board continues to promote high standards grounded on a performance-based approach and a comprehensive professional development plan. I will continue to support the administration to move forward with the initiatives to increase student achievement.”
Simpkins said he is running for his second third-year term to continue to lend a voice to all constituents, especially in a time when the school district is facing new hurdles.
“The explosive enrollment growth requires firm and responsible governance to ensure that our monies are being utilized effectively to bring about the best academic experience for our children,” Simpkins said. “I have demonstrated responsible governance working alongside my fellow board members, yet my work individually and collaboratively is far from over. The children need someone committed to advocating for them and if re-elected I plan to continue to do just that.”
In addition to the explosive enrollment, which has put a huge strain on the school’s staff, administrative teams, facilities and class sizes, Simpkins is focused on increasing academic rigor. He noted that while graduation rates have gotten better, there is room for improvement.
“We are not where we want or need to be for our students to be career or college ready,” he said. “Working closely with our curriculum administrators, we want to increase the rigor of our academic programs by pushing for increased accountability among all stakeholders, as well as more innovative programs to ensure that we are competitive.”
Simpkins also wants to continue to work towards increasing state funding. This year, the Westbury School District received $40.6 million in state aid, $2.85 million more than last year.
“We are earning significant state aid. The school administration has lobbied vigorously to ensure we get our share of state funds,” he said. “We continue to earn more aid each year because we have demonstrated fiscal responsibility and have worked hard to ensure that the dollars earned are put into increased academic programs, tools and/or increased staffing to address the unprecedented growth in the district. I assure you Albany would not continue to invest in Westbury if we were not showing fiscal restraint in all that we do.”
Simpkins said he has always governed independently and never been one to pander to particular special interests. He said he hopes to continue representing the district in a respectful, responsible and positive way.
“I truly love Westbury and everything it has to offer. I would not be running again if I didn’t see the value in doing so for the community, the schools and the students,” the 21-year resident said. “We do have work to do I recognize that. I have learned quite humbly that running for office is very different than governing. You must be collaborative, independent, focused and at times persuasive. I believe I have demonstrated that throughout my term.”
Larry Wornum, a former school board trustee, is running again because he is frustrated at the current board’s leadership.
“It galls me that the Westbury school board does not represent the interest of the people that pay the bills,” he said. “It is scandalous that the residents of Westbury are being forced to pay for failure and then to blame the children and their parents.”
He disagreed with the district’s increasing the tax levy. He believes the district should have used additional state aid to lower the tax burden for residents; the proposed budget currently allocates the additional money for new instructional positions.
“Every year our taxes and levy has gone up and student performance has gone down or remained flat for a decade. Their only solution has been to spend more money,” he said. “The additional [money] should have been used to lower the school tax.”
Wornum said he enjoys being an active participant in community affairs.
“I am proud of my record as a former trustee. I want to help provide an education to our children that we can afford and live here,” he said.
