Roslyn School Voters Guide 2010

VOTING

7 a.m. to 9 p.m. Tuesday at Roslyn High School.

THE BUDGET

The district is proposing a budget of $95,816,235 for the 2010-11 school year, an increase of 1.12 percent over the current $94,751,350 budget. The local tax levy would rise from $85,965,493 to $86,532,024 - a 0.66 percent increase.

School taxes on the average house assessed at $1,961 would be $12,996 - an increase of 1.31 percent over the current figure.

The proposed budget calls for a reduction of five teaching positions because of a decline in enrollment. There is also a reduction of three clerical positions through attrition.

In addition to the budget, there is also a referendum on the ballot to spend no more than $3 million out of the capital reserve fund to complete capital improvements, including repairing sidewalks, renovating the high school cafeteria and upgrading plumbing districtwide. Officials said approval would not impact the tax levy in 2010-11 as funds have been set aside previously.

District website:

roslynschools.org

THE CANDIDATES

Incumbents Kim Hunter and Stanley D. Stern are running for re-election against Elizabeth Kellogg and Bruce G. Valauri. Both seats have three-year terms.

Kim Hunter

BACKGROUND: Hunter, 40, has lived in the district for 10 years. She is a schoolteacher in New York City and runs a home day care. She earned a bachelor's degree in sociology and history from the University at Albany and is working toward a master's degree in general and special education from Touro College. She and her husband, Timothy, have three children who attend district schools. She was first elected to the school board in 2007 and is running for her second term.

ISSUES: "We really need to make sure we can pass a budget that is sustainable," she said, adding that the budget needs to ensure that students receive a high-quality education. She said retaining teachers and assistants is another priority. If re-elected, she said, she will be able to use her experience as a teacher to examine curriculum.

Elizabeth Kellogg

BACKGROUND: Kellogg, 53, grew up in Roslyn and moved back 16 years ago. She is a creative director for an advertising agency and is a professor of visual communications at Pratt Institute in Brooklyn. She earned a bachelor of fine arts degree from Pratt. She and her husband, Robert, have two adult sons who graduated from district schools.

ISSUES: Taxes are a big problem in the district, Kellogg said: "Our taxes are incredibly high here. Every year the budget seems to go up and up." Kellogg said she was inspired to run because of her children. She recalled that when one of her sons was in high school, he needed guidance for not attending class and for a lack of interest in school. Because of administrators and teachers, he was able to move to the Long Island High School for Art, a BOCES program, and is now a freshman at The Cooper Union in Manhattan. "I'm running because I do want to give back to the community for all the wonderful things they did for me and my kids," she said. If elected, she said, she hopes to help identify special-needs students and facilitate getting them the services they need.

Stanley D. Stern

BACKGROUND: Stern, 75, has lived in the district for more than 40 years. He is a retired principal of an elementary school in Rego Park. He has a bachelor of science degree in education and a master's degree in elementary education, both from City College. He also has state certification as a principal and school superintendent. He and his wife, Barbara, have two adult children who attended Roslyn schools. They also have five grandchildren, three currently in the district and two who graduated from the high school. He is running for a third term.

ISSUES: Stern was elected to the board in 2004, soon after the district's scandal involving stolen funds. He said a main issue is "maintaining what we've achieved in the last six years, post-scandal," in terms of educational excellence. He said he would like to see more improved math programs and more foreign-language classes.

"Not only do I have an education background, I have a business background," he said, referring to running a children's party planning business about 20 years ago. "I want the community to know while I'm an advocate of education, I'm also a senior, aware of the need for fiscal responsibility and keeping taxes to a minimum."

Bruce G. Valauri

BACKGROUND: Valauri, 52, moved to the district six years ago when his twin daughters were born. He is a dentist in private practice who also directs the graduate residency program in prosthodontics at the New York Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center. He earned a bachelor's degree in biology from New York University and a DDS from NYU. He is married to Geri and their daughters attend kindergarten in the district.

ISSUES: "I moved here specifically for the schools," he said of the need to continue to maintain state-of-the-art facilities. He wants to see language programs expanded, along with athletics and arts. He also cited the budget in light of tough economic times as a top issue. If elected, he vows "communication and transparency." He touted his experience with previously serving on professional boards and running his own business.