Seaford School Voters Guide 2010

VOTING

7 a.m. to 9 p.m. Tuesday at Seaford Manor Elementary and Harbor Elementary.

THE BUDGET

The district is proposing a 2010-11 budget of $53,614,962, a 1.87 percent increase over the current budget of $52,628,620. The local tax levy would rise 5.97 percent, to $41,326,962 from the current $38,999,488.

The average house assessed at $977 would pay school taxes of $6,647 for the 2010-11 year, a 5.96 percent increase from the current payment of $6,273.

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

The proposed budget includes 30 fewer positions from all personnel levels, the district said, and the increase provides "small adjustments to all programs," but no new programs have been added.

District website:

www.seaford.k12.ny.us

THE CANDIDATES

Incumbents John DelGiudice and Linda Hurley are running against challengers Bruce Kahn and Susan Ruona for two seats with three-year terms.

John DelGiudice

BACKGROUND: DelGiudice, 54, is a financial system administrator for Nassau County and a member of the Civil Service Employees Association. He has lived in the district for 20 years and has served on the board since 2007. He and his wife, Marion, have three children, two of whom graduated from Seaford schools and one who is attending the district high school. He holds a bachelor of science degree in business administration from the University at Albany and a master of business administration from Hofstra University.

ISSUES: The coming school year will be "especially challenging," DelGiudice said, because of planned budget cuts - the lowest budget-to-budget increase in more than 10 years. "Living within this budget will be difficult, but it mirrors the financial challenges we all face," he said. He said his experience in financial services, government and the school board make him particularly suited to navigating the coming challenges.

Linda M. Hurley

BACKGROUND: Hurley, 51, is a homemaker and day care provider who has lived in the district 23 years and has served on the board for the past nine years. She and her husband, Delayne, have six children who all are graduates of Seaford High School.

ISSUES: Meeting the needs of every student in the district, "while being mindful of the economic climate" affecting residents are chief priorities for Hurley. She's worked to save money by joining with other districts and BOCES on combined contracts and purchases. To find new savings, she said she would lobby legislators to push for new laws that promote cross-district cooperation. She also will work to restore programs and staff lost in the 2010-11 budget.

Bruce Kahn

BACKGROUND: Kahn, 50, a senior management analyst for the state of New York, has lived in the district for 23 years. He and his wife, Dori, have two children in district schools. He holds a bachelor of business administration degree from Baruch College.

ISSUES: The financial burden placed on residents of the district is the most pressing issue facing Seaford, Kahn says: "The school aid process is broken, primarily because fluid state budgets leave districts guessing what aid will be." He suggests joining with other districts to push for reform in Albany.

Susan Ruona

BACKGROUND: Ruona, 55, is a bank consultant who has lived in the district for 19 years. She and her husband, Chris, have one child attending the district high school. She received a bachelor of science degree in accounting from The University at Albany.

ISSUES: Ruona said the chief issue facing the district is the budget, which is suffering under the weight of inadequate state aid and rising instructional and pension costs. "As the teachers' contract is up for renewal this year, I would try to work toward a contract that is fair to the teachers but also recognizes the impact any settlement has on the community," she said, adding that she would "think outside the box" so no teacher would lose a job. She'd also consider selling the Seaford Avenue School if a new tenant can't be found.