South Huntington School Voters Guide 2010

VOTING

3 to 10 p.m. Tuesday at Walt Whitman High School.

THE BUDGET

The district is proposing a budget of $138,465,260 for the 2010-11 school year, an increase of 5.09 percent over the current $131,764,922 budget. The local tax levy would rise from $93,126,623 to $96,608,177, a 3.74 percent increase.

The average house assessed at $3,500 would pay school taxes of $7,356.09, an estimated increase of 4.44 percent over the current figure, $7,043.65.

The proposed budget calls for a 2 percent increase in teacher salaries and 3 percent step increases.

The budget also calls for the reduction of 10 certified teachers and five support staffers.

District website: shufsd.org

THE CANDIDATES

Incumbents Nicholas R. Ciappetta and Chad A. Lupinacci and challenger Katrina J. Goodwin are competing for two seats with three-year terms. Ciappetta and Lupinacci are running as a team, as they did in successful campaigns in 2004 and 2007.

Nicholas R. Ciappetta

BACKGROUND: Ciappetta, 30, is a lifelong resident of the district and is single. He is an attorney and has a bachelor of arts degree in political science from Vassar College and a law degree from Hofstra University School of law.

ISSUES: Ciappetta said the most pressing issue facing the district is how to maintain academic standards, extracurricular programs and services in the face of what he calls a statewide fiscal crisis. "If additional state funding is not provided, costs must be reduced," he said. "To this end, South Huntington's plan involves applying fund balances and reserves accumulated through years of astute financial planning to lower the tax rate and an ambitious energy performance contract that is guaranteed to lower energy costs."

Katrina J. Goodwin

BACKGROUND: Goodwin, 25, is making her first run for the board. She is single and has lived in the district for three years. She's an attorney and has a bachelor of science degree in sports management from St. John's University and a law degree from Benjamin N. Cardozo Law School.

ISSUES: Goodwin said the district's most pressing issue is gang activity and recruitment. She said if elected she would work to develop attractive after- school programs for "at-risk" students. She said another important issue in the district is a lack of involvement by minority parents and communication from the district to minority parents. "The board of education should reflect the diversity of its students, and ours currently does not," Goodwin said. "I would serve as a liaison to community churches and civic groups and solicit constructive input regarding educational concerns."

Chad A. Lupinacci

BACKGROUND: Lupinacci, 31, and a lifelong resident of the district, is single. He is a lawyer and adjunct professor at Hofstra University, Suffolk County Community College and Farmingdale State College. He has a bachelor of arts degree in political science and a law degree, both from Hofstra University.

ISSUES: He said if re-elected he would focus on enhancing efficient communication between the district and all members of the community and would continue to support an environment that will improve academic success. "I feel that my involvement in this community, combined with my communication skills and my vision, will continue to secure the future of the district," Lupinacci said.