North Merrick School Voters Guide 2010

VOTING

2 to 10 p.m. Tuesday at Harold D. Fayette School.

THE BUDGET

The district is proposing a 2010-11 budget of $26,258,000, 2.98 percent above the current budget of $25,498,000. The tax levy would rise to $18,921,481, a 3.98 percent increase over the current $18,196,906.

The dollar amount of the school tax paid on an average single-family house assessed at $998 would rise to $3,991.09, a 4.06 increase over the current $3,835.30.

The proposed budget includes a negotiated pay increase of 2.5 percent, plus step increases, for teachers.

A total of 3.4 teaching positions would be cut.

District website:

nmerrickschools.org

THE CANDIDATES

Three seats are open. Incumbent Linda Fuller is running unopposed. Wendy Gargiulo is running, also unopposed, for the seat currently held by John Rossi, who is not seeking re-election. Anthony Vitale and George Haile are running for the seat held by John Pinto, also not seeking re-election. Terms are three years.

George Haile

BACKGROUND: Haile, 45, researches gaps in cancer-related education for a Connecticut company that produces educational events for health care professionals. Haile and his wife, Sheila, have two children attending district public schools. Haile has a bachelor of science degree in business from Manhattanville College in Purchase. He is a commissioner in the Merrick Police Activity League soccer program. Haile was born and raised in the district and moved back in 1994 after living in Boston for seven years. This is his first run for the school board.

ISSUES: Haile said, "I hope to use my business background to help get us through this difficult time." As a former controller for individual businesses, he said he would be able to "understand the complete budget process." He added, "I also have great knowledge in operational-based issues." Haile said that having worked with a soccer program, "I wanted to do more on the education side."

Anthony Vitale

BACKGROUND: Vitale, 35, is a high school English teacher in another district. This is his first run for the school board. Vitale, who has lived in the district for nine years, is a member of the North Merrick school board's budget advisory committee. He and his wife, Jana, have a son attending a district public school. Vitale has a bachelor of fine arts degree in creative writing from Brooklyn College, a master's degree in English education from New York University and a certificate of advanced studies from the C.W. Post Campus of Long Island University.

ISSUES: Vitale said that his roles as "parent, taxpayer and educator provide me with an ability to understand the various aspects of school governance and finance from multiple perspectives." He said that district parents he speaks with are "very worried about losing the programs we have." Vitale said that as a school board trustee, he would work to preserve the WINGS gifted student program. He said he supports the "co-teaching model," which places two teachers or a teacher and a teacher's aide in the classroom, because "it meets the needs of every child in a regular education classroom."