Residents Raise Tough Topics at Candidate Forum

Two things that all six candidates seeking election to the Babylon school board agree on is that greater transparency and better communication are needed between the community, the board and the district administration.

That was a recurring theme stated by candidates during last night’s three-hour Meet the Candidates event sponsored by the Parent Teacher Association at the high school auditorium. About 100 residents turned out for the event and at least one third submitted questions after candidates provided opening statements.

While candidates are calling for better interaction and information sharing, the board and district face serious challenges in the next few months. The budget vote outcome, the search for a new school superintendent, teacher contract negotiations and the need for a long-term education strategy will be front and center for the board and the community.

“There’s been a rejuvenation of renewed interest this year by the community and there are a number of issues that will prove crucial and challenging,” said incumbent trustee Roger Katz, who is seeking his fourth term on the board.

Katz hopes the board’s changeover in membership will drive greater public discussion and debate in forging clear goals and objectives for the district.

“This is a rare moment and we need to be bold and firm,” he said in relation to teacher contract negotiations which promise to explore everything from extending the school day, school year  and teaching periods to reducing raises tied to educational step achievements.

Candidate John Savoca, a Massapequa school teacher, believes the district should consider a seven-hour work day so that students have more opportunity to seek help from teachers. He also believes the district must invest heavily in technology.

“It’s time to throw away the encyclopedia and dictionaries and explore Google and the Internet and smart board technology,” he said.

“We’re a good district but we should, and could, be outstanding. We’ve lost our way,” he said.

Dominick (Nick) Montalto, a retired firefighter, said he sees the district facing many challenges and that the “community is in turmoil” and there needs to be better communication.

“I will always be wiling to listen, and believe in transparency, honesty and integrity, he said. “The best thing about this village is the community,” he added.

Pauline Cimaszewski, whose three children attend private schools now but did attend Babylon schools in the past, said she’s focused on improving curriculum and academic standards and taking positive action to improve both.

“The academic weakness can be addressed if we set goals and support each other, and build trust between the board and the community,” she said. She would like the board to foster greater community involvement in discussions and decision-making and establish a long-term strategy.

“With administration and board turnover, and community involvement, we can help guide these changes,” she said.

Greg Antolini, who’s been active in community youth sports programs for nearly a decade, said the “current system is broken and change is needed.”

“There is a lack of transparency and the board of education is not keeping the administration in check,” he said.

Alena Berenblatt said the big priorities are improving communication and cited a long list of her community involvement.

During the Q&A portion the candidates tended to agree on most issues and the priorities that need to be tackled. But some topics, such as the necessary level of board oversight on administration, brought some difference of opinions.

Antolini, Savoca and Cimaszewski all believe much more oversight and board involvement in decision making are needed. 

“If the trust is earned then the board can step back a bit,” said Cimaszewski, adding “there should be oversight throughout the system of the board over administration, administration over principals and the community over the board as everyone works to achieve common goals.”

Montalto feels a bit differently in that administrators are paid for doing a specific job and have the expertise that board members may not have.

“They have the education and experience and can make the right decisions,” he said. “If we [the board] don’t feel comfortable with those decisions then it’s time to step in.”

Katz sees the board as more in a monitoring role than overseer. “People always say the district should be run like a business but it’s not a business,” he said.

In a series of future articles Patch will offer up additional insight and candidates provided during the event on various other topics. So stay tuned.