4 Candidates Vie For 2 Board of Ed Spots

Two incumbents, a newcomer and a former Kings Park Board of Education president will be on the ballot for the May 21 board of education election.

Incumbents Tom Locascio and Liz Barrett, whose terms expire June 30, will run for re-election. Charles Gardner, a former Kings Park Board of Education trustee who sat on the board for eleven years, nine as president, along with Pam DeFord have filed petitions at the district administration office to run for election.

Barrett, who was embattled in a lawsuit last year when the Kings Park Board of Education filed a petition to remove her, and was ultimately denied by the state Commissioner of Education, said that past issues have not deterred her.

“I have served for the last three years and have a deep understanding of the community’s concerns and issues,” said Barrett, who serves as the board’s vice president, in a phone interview. “Most importantly, I would like to be part of the solution in providing our children with the best educational experience we can offer.”

Gardner, who served on the board from 1989-2000 and earlier this year left his position as president for the Kings Park Chamber of Commerce, said he as never been too far from the school board.

“I keep tabs on it,” said Gardner. “I watch videos of the board meetings. I have been at every graduation since 1989, except for last year’s, sitting at the dais.”

Locascio said he has found being a board member “exciting and challenging”.

 “I'm very excited to be seeking re-election to the Kings Park Board of Education and hope that this community will again place their trust in me, so I can continue to focus on the many important issues that our district and community continue to face."  

DeFord could not be reached at the time this story was written. Meet the Candidates night will be held May 2 at 7 p.m. at the high school. The election will be held on May 21.