Board of Ed Candidates Square Off in Question and Answer Session

Four candidates running for the Kings Park Board of Education squared off on Thursday evening on topics ranging from taxes to testing.

The event, moderated by the League of Women Voters, gave residents a chance to ask questions, either at the podium or handed in on a card, in a round robin, timed fashion.

The candidates, Tom Locascio, Liz Barrett, Pam DeFord and Charlie Gardner, agreed on several issues including being in favor of the tax cap. When asked if any would piece the cap to save jobs, all four said no.

“People are struggling to pay taxes,” said DeFord. "We have to have a fair budget, on the other hand, one that was too low could find us in trouble."

Barrett said she would not pierce the cap to avoid laying off teachers.
"Programs and curriculum should remain a priority, even in tough fiscal times," she said.

The board this year agreed to raise class sizes in order to preserve programs and has adopted a budget that does not pierce the cap.

Gardner, who sat on the board as president in the 90's, said he “whole-heartedly supports the cap.” “Difficult decisions have to be made but a board that is working together should be able to make those decisions,” he said.

When asked what steps they would take to lower taxes, each believed the task would be difficult.

“We have a very lean budget,” said Barrett, who is currently Vice President of the board. “I don’t know where else we could make cuts without hurting the students.”

Locascio, a current board trustee, said he has been instrumental in securing about $200,000 in grants for the district, including a $75,000 “bullet aid” grant through Sen. John Flanagan for the purchase of a new press box as well as money used for three computer labs.

“In a perfect world, we would have a negative tax levy,” said Locascio. “We have scrutinized every budget line to make sure it goes to programs and I have been aggressive in going after state grants.”
Replenishing a diminishing fund balance was also on the minds of residents. Again, candidates agreed it would be difficult.
"There is no way to talk about replenishing. We should be talking about revenue meeting expenses," said Locascio. 
Class size caps is one area where the candidates disagreed. DeFord, in contrast to the three other candidates, said she would support a cap on class size. 

“It is upsetting when class size is increased and it does have an impact on education,” said DeFord, who is a special education teacher in another district. The other candidates disagreed, with Locascio and Barrett standing behind their decision to preserve programs. Gardner also disagreed.

“A cap like that ties the district’s hands. It is unacceptable,” said Gardner. 

The Board of Education election will be held on May 21 at the Kings Park High School in the rear gymnasium.