BOE Candidate Profile: Pauline Cimaszewski

With the Babylon School District budget vote and school board election just about two weeks away Patch is providing readers insight on the spending plan, budget issues, community opinion and insight on candidates seeking election to board.

There are six residents running for four available seats. Two incumbents whose seats are up for election have opted not to run.

First up on the profile list was the lone incumbent seeking re-election. Roger Katz has served on the board for nine years and said it takes time and commitment to learn and understand how a board of education operates and to get things accomplished.

Nick Montalto, a retired firefighter, is running because he thinks there should be better communication between the public and the current administration and feels he can serve effectively as a liason between the public and the administration

Alena J. Berenblatt, a longtime community volunteer, says the biggest challenge is the strife among its residents. Transparency and communication will help improve this situation, she says.

Today Patch offers up insight from Pauline Cimaszewski, who is making her first bid for a school board seat.

Patch asked every candidate a short series of questions to provide readers with information about their backgrounds and views on the challenges facing the school distrct. Keep an eye out for video interviews of the candidates as well.

Age: 46

Occupation: analyst/programmer

Children: 14/9th, 12/6th, 8/3rd

Residency: Almost 14 years

Why did you decide to run this year?

I want to bring change to the district at several levels:  improving relations between the Board of Education and the community; strengthening the level of academics offered in the classroom; improving the long-range financial health of the district by addressing the teachers' contract.

What is the biggest challenge facing the school district?

Managing all the important changes that will occur this year, particularly the hiring of the superintendent and the negotiations of the teachers' contract.

What is one thing you want to change or do differently in the district?

I would like to change how the teachers and administration work;  I want more accountability and more engagement in the academic goals of the district.