Roosevelt School Voters Guide 2010

VOTING

6 a.m. to 9 p.m. Tuesday at Roosevelt High School and Centennial Avenue Elementary School.

THE BUDGET

The district is proposing a budget of $84,024,956 for the 2010-11 school year, an increase of 3.47 percent over the current budget of $81,204,893.

The local tax levy would rise to $20,933,015 from $20,623,993, an increase of 1.5 percent.

The district did not provide information on the amount of school tax that would be paid on an average single-family home under the proposed budget.

The proposed budget includes an unspecified amount for teacher salaries, subject to ongoing negotiations.

District website:

rooseveltufsd.com

THE CANDIDATES

Incumbent Wilhelmina Funderburke is being challenged by Tishka Alston and Lisa Whitaker, and incumbent Robert Summerville is running against challenger Kimberley McLean. Both seats have three-year terms.

Tishka Alston

BACKGROUND: Alston, 40, has lived in the district for 26 years and has one child in a district school. A stay-at-home parent, she received an associate degree in 1989 from Berkeley Business School.

ISSUES: Alston said that the most important issue facing the district is the students' safety and well-being. An inner change will cause an outer change, she said, adding she wants to bring the teachings of Jesus to Roosevelt schools. She said that we need to teach the children to value themselves and to value property. Most of the time we just give, but don't value what is received, she said. "I hope to bring what has been missing in Roosevelt School District," Alston said.

Wilhelmina Funderburke

BACKGROUND: Funderburke, 69, has lived in the district for 45 years and has served on the board since October 2008. A retired OTB manager, she holds a bachelor's degree in business from SUNY Old Westbury. A widow, she has two adult children.

ISSUES: Funderburke said it is imperative that the children of the Roosevelt School District receive a global education and provide structure that will ensure all levels are held accountable. A major goal is to continue the growth rate of high school graduates and those accepted into college. Parental involvement is paramount in providing higher educational standards and a safe and healthy environment throughout the school district, she said. Funderburke said she will continue to meet with the district superintendent on a weekly basis to discuss improvements necessary for the academic achievement of the children and will meet with community organizations and politicians that will provide and assist the children with resources necessary to succeed. She also pledged to make herself available to the Roosevelt community and school staff and to provide an honest and fair structure toward solutions for any situation that might occur.

Kimberly McLean

BACKGROUND: McLean, 28, has lived in the district for 10 years and is an attorney. She holds a juris doctorate from St. John's University, a master of arts in economics from Brooklyn College and a bachelor of science degree from Hofstra University. She does not have any children.

ISSUES: McLean said she is running because of concerns over the underachievement of the students in the district. She said it is of grave concern to her and to parents in this district that Roosevelt High School has the lowest percentage of graduates with Regents diplomas in Nassau County. Her hope is to improve those numbers by introducing mentorship programs, improving the after-school programs that will serve to enhance students' test-taking abilities, and provide more opportunities to further engage parents who have hectic schedules, enabling them to participate more in the education of their children. She said she is deeply committed to these endeavors, being readily mindful that the children are the future and if they are taught well, they will lead the way.

Robert Summerville

BACKGROUND: Summerville, 74, has lived in the district for 44 years and has served on the board for eight years. He is retired and attended Nassau Community College and holds a certificate on how to be a real-estate broker from New York University.

ISSUES: As a board member, Summerville said he would assist the district in creating a comprehensive corrective action plan to remove the high school from the New York State Schools Under Registration Review list. He would also assist the district in setting high standards for achievement. And he would plan to encourage residents of the community to become board members and assist in training and developing future board members. He wants to make education children-centered and make a difference in children's lives.

Lisa Whitaker

BACKGROUND: Whitaker, 57, has lived in the district for more than 30 years. She is a life skills counselor and holds an associate degree from Fashion Institute of Technology and studied business administration at Adelphi University. She has two children.

ISSUES: According to the New York State comprehensive information report, Roosevelt remains among the lowest educational performers in the state, she said, with one of the highest dropout rates in the state among high school students. If elected, she said she would plan to collaborate with members of the board, administrators, teachers, parents and members of the community to effect a swift change and provide the students with a quality education that will prepare them for success as adults.