New Hyde Park-Garden City Park school district

VOTING

6 a.m. to 9 p.m. at Manor Oaks School.

THE BUDGET

The district proposes a $36,794,425 budget for 2015-16, a 1.99 percent increase from the current $36,075,435. The local tax levy would increase 0.90 percent, from $29,531,279 to $29,795,947.

The increase is below the state's tax-cap limit of 1.10 percent, so a simple majority vote will be required to approve the budget. School taxes on the average single-family home would increase 0.90 percent, from $3,138.05 to $3,166.18.

The teachers' contract is being negotiated. The proposed budget seeks to fund two additional full-time positions to accommodate English as a New Language.

District website:

nhp-gcp.org

THE CANDIDATES

Incumbent Frank Miranda is challenged by Jennifer DeRocchis. Incumbents David Del Santo and James Reddan are unopposed. Terms are three years, but Reddan seeks a two-year term to fill the seat held by Patricia Rudd, who resigned.

Frank MirandaBACKGROUND: Miranda, 54, is an information technician who has lived in the district 22 years and has a daughter in the 11th grade at New Hyde Park Memorial High School. Another daughter graduated from the high school in 2013. The Queensborough Community College graduate has served as a member of the Zoning Board of Appeals for the Village of New Hyde Park since 1993 and has been a member of the Dad's Club of New Hyde Park Memorial High School since 2007. He is a 2015 recipient of Scope's School Board Service Award and also served on the board from 2004 to 2007.

ISSUES: He says his main priority is increasing safety in the schools but that he also is concerned about Common Core, state testing, class size, union contracts and the district's financial challenge of providing quality education within the 2 percent tax cap. "I intend to work with the NHP-GCP Board and the administration to overcome these tough economic times in order to maintain the staff and programs to ensure a solid education for our students."

Jennifer DeRocchisBACKGROUND: DeRocchis, 42, is a licensed assistant to a financial adviser who has lived in the district all her life. The Adelphi University graduate, who holds a bachelor's degree in business with a specialization in finance, has two children in the schools -- one in elementary school and one in junior high school. While this is her first attempt at running for office, she has served as the co-vice president for Manor Oaks PTA during the 2012-13 and 2013-14 school years and chairwoman for many PTA committees, including Reflections, Field Day, PTA Nominating Committee and the Safety and Wellness committee.

ISSUES: School safety and a more reasonable testing regimen are her top priorities. "My biggest concerns are maintaining class size, keeping our children safe and secure, and the issues regarding Common Core and standardized testing. With regards to testing, I don't feel that teachers should be evaluated based on one test. It's not fair for teachers to be held accountable on one test that they don't even get to see beforehand. I hope to make a difference on the board."