Huntington School Voters Guide 2010

VOTING

6 a.m. to 9 p.m. Tuesday at Huntington High School.

THE BUDGET

The district is proposing a budget of $108,786,539 for the 2010-11 school year, an increase of 3.6 percent over the current $105,004,259 budget. The local tax levy would rise from $89,473,256 to $92,643,803 an increase of 3.54 percent.

The average house assessed at $4,000 would pay school taxes of $8,034, an estimated 3.54 percent increase over the current figure of $7,759.

The proposed budget includes a 2 percent increase in teachers' salaries and a 2.5 percent step increase.

About 28.6 positions would be eliminated, including teachers and teachers' aides. There will be $168,678 in equipment cuts for such things as computers, a $152,483 reduction in overtime costs, and a $122,200 cut in costs for substitute teachers and aides. Elementary class sizes will be reduced, resulting in a $290,000 reduction in salaries and benefits due to staff reductions. The district will also lease three modular classrooms at a cost of $355,000, to be paid from capital reserve funds.

District website: hufsd.edu

THE CANDIDATES

Incumbents Richard McGrath and John Paci and challenger Adam Spector are running for two seats with three-year terms.

Richard McGrath

BACKGROUND: McGrath, 53, is a certified public accountant. He and his wife, Laura Jean, have twins who attend the district high school. A 48-year district resident, he is a Huntington High School graduate and received a bachelor of science degree in accounting from Long Island University. McGrath is finishing his fourth term on the board and also serves on the district's audit committee. He is involved in numerous charitable organizations and is also active with the local youth lacrosse program.

ISSUES: McGrath said he is running because he believes high property taxes are at the breaking point for residents. "My approach as a CPA and a fiscal conservative will continue to be, 'You can't spend what you don't have.' We have done a great job on debt with a 'pay as you go' strategy whereby we will have substantially paid off our debt within the next four years. However, we need to apply the same approach to salaries and benefits. The private sector simply cannot afford to sustain the public sector costs, and our contracts need to reflect that."

John Paci

BACKGROUND: Paci, 37, is a managing director at a global financial services firm in Manhattan. He and his wife, Kelly, have three children, two of whom are school age: one is in a district school, another is in Catholic school. A lifelong district resident, Paci is a Huntington High School graduate and has a bachelor of science degree in business from Indiana University. He is finishing his first term on the board and has served two years on the board's audit committee. He is an active member of the Huntington Booster Club and volunteers as a coach and mentor to student-athletes at the high school.

ISSUES:Paci said the way tax dollars are spent is the most pressing issue in the district, as well as accountability for what the district is doing. He said he has proposed concrete, realistic solutions for addressing the dangers of violent crime and overcrowding that he said threatens Huntington's children. "Huntington is going to be looking for a new superintendent; I think the key is to have quality leadership going forward who can guide the district in the right direction. I think with my financial background and expertise we can make sure we are spending the tax dollars wisely without compromising the programs in the district."

Adam Spector

BACKGROUND: Spector, 47, is making his first run for the school board. He and his wife, Meredith, have two children in district schools. He owns a technology consulting business and has a bachelor of science degree in management from Binghamton University. He is on the Jack Abrams Intermediate PTA and is a YMCA intramural coed soccer coach. Spector has lived in the district for 20 years.

ISSUES: Spector said the most pressing issues facing the district are long-term capacity planning, public inclusion in board of education policy formation, open communication between the board and community, and addressing succession planning for the next district superintendent. He said he would like to see some question-and-answer sessions between the board and the community, allowing residents to submit questions in advance, and better use of technology such as Web casting. "I am deeply passionate about becoming a voice for all district residents and ensuring all students have the best opportunity to excel and succeed," he said. "I feel the reputation of our town and district are at risk, and I want to help restore the district's image in the community. I feel the only way this can be accomplished is to engage all community members in addressing the challenges we face."