Residents Chris Papile, Donelle Cronin, Stephanie Andrews and Wendy Canestro are running as a team for the Amityville School Board. Photo: Facebook
In Amityville, a majority bloc on the school board will not seek reelection, opening the door to a competitive race for four at-large seats.
Board President Lisa Johnson, along with trustees Leslie Kretz and Carol Seehof, did not file petitions for reelection. The seat previously held by Carol Fanning, who stepped down last year, is also open.
Candidates who have filed petitions include Stephanie Andrews, a former board member and board president; Christopher Papile; Wendy Canestro; and Donelle Cronin, who are running as a slate, as well as Michael McDonald, Angel Davenport, Equasia Yard-Jean and Cheryl Quintyne-Best.
In a Facebook post announcing their candidacy, Andrews, Papile, Canestro and Cronin said they are “laser-focused on academics” and committed to “meaningful, purposeful change with measurable outcomes.”
The group also supports a zero percent tax rate increase proposed by Trustee Juan Leon at the board’s April 21 meeting. The proposal would have used part of what officials said was a $10 million surplus from the previous year to offset taxes.
The plan was rejected by Johnson, Kretz, Seehof and Trustee Chris Nehring, following a recommendation from the district’s assistant superintendent for business, who said it would deplete reserves.
The Andrews slate said it is committed “to ensuring that $42,512 per student per year delivers the real academic results Amityville children and taxpayers deserve.”
The school board election and budget vote is scheduled for March 19.
Source: Massapequa Post
