Babylon School Voters Guide 2010

VOTING

6 a.m. to 9 p.m. Tuesday at Babylon Memorial Grade School.

THE BUDGET

The district is proposing a budget of $44,893,762 for the 2010-11 school year, an increase of 2.43 percent over the current budget of $43,828,878. The tax levy would rise 1.9 percent to $34,405,611 from the current $33,763,654.

The average homeowner with a house assessed at $4,299 would pay $8,016, a 1.92 percent increase from the current $7,865.

The proposed budget includes a 3.5 percent contractual increase in teacher salaries and a 1.9 percent step increase. The budget also calls for a reduction of 6.9 teachers.

District website:

babylon.k12.ny.us

THE CANDIDATES

Incumbent Thomas Melito is running against Dominic P. Bencivenga and Nora Jean Gaare for two seats with three-year terms. Anne-Marie Martino is not seeking re-election.

Dominic P. Bencivenga

BACKGROUND: Bencivenga, 48, is vice president of digital communications for a pharmaceutical company. He has lived in the district for 15 years. He and his wife, JoAnn, have three children who attend school in the district. Bencivenga has a bachelor's degree from Hofstra University and a master's degree from Columbia University's journalism school.

ISSUES: Bencivenga said balancing the needs of the students with the available funds requires a "good understanding of the community, a strong ability to work with others and solid judgment." He said he plans to ensure that the board communicates with residents so that their decisions are understood. Bencivenga said he has spent his life as a communicator - as a newspaper reporter, freelance writer and corporate communications professional - and can assist the board with this endeavor.

Nora Jean Gaare

BACKGROUND: Gaare, 47, has lived in the district for 19 years. She and her husband, Jon, have two children who attend school in the district. Gaare, who has a bachelor's degree in elementary education from St. Bonaventure University and a master's degree in reading from the C.W. Post Campus of Long Island University, is an elementary school reading consultant in another district.

ISSUES: Gaare said that since Babylon is a small district, it can be "easy to become too comfortable with the status quo" and lag behind in curriculum development and technology. She said the district needs to maximize available resources by "promoting the programs that are effective and targeting those that aren't." Gaare said that as an educator with almost 25 years of experience, she feels she can "help make decisions that will raise the bar."

Thomas Melito

BACKGROUND: Melito, 58, is a management consultant who has lived in the district for 44 years. He and his wife, Deborah, have two daughters, one who attends school in the district and one who graduated from a neighboring district. Melito has a bachelor's degree in economics from SUNY New Paltz and an MBA in finance from New York University. He served as a deputy supervisor in the Town of Babylon under Arthur Pitts. Melito has been on the board since 1998.

ISSUES: Melito said his experience in public and private-sector management as well as his past board experience "uniquely" qualifies him for the seat. He said that during his time on the board he has introduced programs and worked to strengthen the district's "financial position, its regulatory status and standing as an academic institution." Melito said he worked to deliver the "two lowest consecutive tax increases in 38 years" and his efforts with other board members have resulted in an increased credit rating, saving taxpayers money.