Televised interviews of the candidates running for the Great Neck Public Schools Board of Education trustee position can be viewed On Demand at tv.greatneck.k12.ny.us or at http://tv.greatneck.k12.ny.us/boe16.html. In the incorporated villages of Great Neck, the 37-minute program can also be viewed on Cablevision Channel 75 and Verizon Channel 32 at 8, 9 and 10 a.m., and at 12, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8 p.m.
Candidates Donald Panetta, Josh Ratner, Nikolas Kron, Nicholas Toumbekis, Lori Beth Schwartz and Donna Peirez were interviewed in the order in which they returned their petitions. Candidates Michael Darvish and Grant Toch were unable to attend the afternoon interviews, which were conducted by Carol Frank, former associate editor of the Great Neck Record and a current board member of the Water Authority of Great Neck North.
Each candidate was asked the following four questions, which they heard for the first time at the interview. Responses were timed.
1. People decide to run for elected office for a variety of reasons. What is motivating you to run for board trustee, and what experiences in your life, personal and/or professional, make you feel qualified or prepared for this position?
2. What do you see the role of a Board of Education trustee to be, and what do you think are the functions of a Board of Education?
3. What do you see as being the biggest challenge or challenges facing the school district both next year and for the next five years?
4. The Board of Education publicized and formed two new committees this year: the Citizens Advisory Committee and the Financial Advisory Committee, with membership determined by lottery. Did you apply to serve on either committee, and if not, why not?
The election for the School Board trustee position will be held on Tuesday, Dec. 6, from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. Qualified voters residing north of the Long Island Rail Road (LIRR) can vote at the Baker School; those south of the LIRR vote at South High.
For more information, including registration and absentee ballots, call 516-441-4020 school days between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m.
Donald Panetta, Josh Ratner and Lori Beth Schwartz announced their candidacies in the Great Neck Record during the past month. Candidate statements from Nikolas Kron and Donna Peirez are appearing in this week’s paper. Statements from candidates Michael Darvish, Grant Toch and Nicholas Toumbekis will appear in upcoming issues. All statements can be viewed by clicking on the candidate’s name.
