Candidate withdraws from Longwood school board race

A candidate in a tied Longwood Board of Education race has withdrawn, eliminating the need for a runoff election this month.

Incumbent William K. Miller announced his withdrawal at a board of education meeting Thursday, district officials said.

Maureen E. Silvestri, also an incumbent, was declared elected to the board of education for the term that starts July 1 and runs through June 30, 2018.

In the May 19 election, Miller and Silvestri each received 1,353 votes and a special runoff election was scheduled.

Silvestri, 72, a homemaker, is a 24-year member of the school board and chairs its safety committee. She has said she believes the state-imposed tax cap "has given us the challenge of providing a first-rate education at a price we can afford."

Five candidates ran for three at-large seats in the May election. Voters elected incumbent Daniel Tomaszewski and challenger Penelope Blizzard-McGrath to three-year terms. Challenger Victoria Molloy was defeated.

By Joie Tyrrell

joie.tyrrell@newsday.com@JoieTyrrell

Joie Tyrrell is a Long Island native and covers education for Newsday, where she has worked since 1998.