Wyandanch School Voters Guide 2010

VOTING

7 a.m. to 10 p.m. at the Central Administration Building.

THE BUDGET

The district is proposing a $57,071,440 budget for the 2010-11 school year, an increase of 3.4 percent over the current $55,195,905. The tax levy would rise from $18,528,350 to $21,111,520 - a 13.94 percent increase.

The average house assessed at $2,750 would pay school taxes of $5,397 - a 13.93 percent increase over the current figure of $4,737.

The proposed budget calls for roof repairs at the administration building, extra security guards and 16 additional teaching assistants, many of whom would be assigned to special education. Nine teaching slots would be cut. The teachers' contract expires at the end of the year, and the budget includes money to cover next year's payroll, subject to negotiations.

District officials say voter rejection of the proposed budget could result in the loss of full-day kindergarten, interscholastic sports and 26 jobs, including 14 teachers.

District website:

wyandanch.k12.ny.us

THE CANDIDATES

Two board seats with three-year terms are contested. Incumbent Denise Baines is challenged for one seat by Nan Demetria Hunter, Eric H. Meade and Eduardo Ramirez Jr. Incumbent Barry Sexton is challenged for the other seat by Jermaine Creighton and Grace Johnson. Sexton is running with Meade. Baines is not formally running with another candidate but has worked closely with Creighton in counseling local families.

Denise Baines

BACKGROUND: Baines, 55, is a family-development consultant and community volunteer who has lived in Wyandanch for more than 25 years. Her three adult children graduated from district schools.

ISSUES: As board president, Baines led a four-member board majority in reducing a budget deficit through staff cuts and other economies. In 2008, the majority suspended the district's superintendent, Sherman Roberts, replacing him with Mary Jones on an interim basis. At the time, Roberts contended that he had run up a deficit in order to hire teachers needed to boost student achievement. Jones was later replaced by Pless Dickerson. All these moves were supported by the State Education Department, which has sought to restore the district's financial stability.

Baines notes that the district has obtained additional state funding and returned many special-education students to its schools from a regional BOCES. Baines acknowledges, however, that the district has no cash reserves to fall back on, if voters reject the budget. She says this causes "plenty of sleepless nights."

Jermaine Creighton

BACKGROUND: Creighton, 33, is general manager of a health club and is active as a youth coach with the Police Athletic League. A lifelong district resident, he is single, a graduate of Wyandanch High School and also of St. John's University, where he studied management. He ran for the board once before, in 2006, but lost.

ISSUES: Creighton says his management experience would help him as a board member in straightening out district finances. He also points to his experience in counseling local parents and their children. "It's got to start with the family," he said.

Nan Demetria Hunter

BACKGROUND: Hunter, 59, is a holistic nurse with six children, all grown and all of whom attended Islamic schools. A lifelong district resident, she is active in a local Islamic charity that provides summer jobs for youths, along with summer meals at the high school and middle school.

ISSUES: Hunter says ousting Roberts from the superintendent's job was a "big mistake," noting that the district's test scores rose under his leadership. Hunter adds that the district needs additional state financial aid to renovate its aging schools, including the high school where students complain of roof leaks.

Grace Johnson

BACKGROUND: Johnson, 41, has lived in the district for 21 years and is the mother of five children attending Wyandanch schools. She attended Dowling College and has worked as a writer, motivational speaker and rap artist.

ISSUES: Johnson contends the district's spending needs to be redirected so students have adequate textbooks. She also wants to renovate the district's aging schools and hire more security guards to prevent gang violence. Johnson would seek financial fines against parents whose teenagers are known to be gang members - thus, "making parents responsible as well."

Eric H. Meade

BACKGROUND: Meade, 42, and his wife, Antoinette, have seven children, including three still enrolled in local schools. He is a former teacher's aide in the district's in-school suspension program. Meade is currently a pastor in True Vine Ministries in Wyandanch and participates in a youth scholarship program sponsored by community clergy.

ISSUES: This is Meade's second run for the school board as Barry Sexton's teammate. He contends the district should find work for Roberts, the former superintendent, who remains on contract. He adds that the district ignores too many students, sometimes failing to provide home tutoring to those who have been suspended. "Our children are being lost," Meade said.

Eduardo Ramirez Jr.

BACKGROUND:Ramirez, 49, is a bank specialist responsible for employee licensing. He is single and has lived in Wyandanch since childhood. Ramirez is also a volunteer with the Suffolk County chapter of SCORE, an organization providing advice for small businesses.

ISSUES: Ramirez wants the district to restore funds for a program for intellectually gifted children and for the high school marching band as well. He also wants to rally community support to increase funding for the local library. He says his business background would be helpful in dealing with a tight budget. "We have to maximize every dollar," he said.

Barry Sexton

BACKGROUND: Sexton, 53, is an associate pastor and trustee at Wyandanch's Full Gospel Church of God by Faith, where former Superintendent Roberts is pastor. Sexton and his wife, Brenda, have four adult children, one still enrolled at the high school. Sexton has lived in the district since childhood.

ISSUES: Sexton has served on the school board three years and is part of a three-member minority that has opposed many of the majority's actions, including the ousters of former superintendents Roberts and Jones. Sexton faults the four-member majority for reaching key decisions without consulting others. He contends board members "must work together" to solve the district's financial woes and prevent favoritism in hiring.