Profile: Board of Ed Vice President Marie Goldstein

Patch is conducting a series of profiles on each board member in the days leading up to the May 17

Current Board of Education Vice President Marie Goldstein is up for re-election on May 17 and will run uncontested.

Goldstein is a 12-year member of the board, a 1981 graduate of Kings Park High School and was born and raised here. She is a married mother of three children, two of whom have graduated from and one who is currently attending. Her son Philip graduated in 2008 and went on to attend Cornell University. Daughter Marie graduated last year and is attending Boston University. Her youngest daughter Tiffany is in the ninth grade.

Goldstein and her husband own and operate Vested Business Brokers and The Vested Realty Group in Smithtown.

Goldstein, except for her first run, has been unopposed in every election.  She told Patch she likes serving on the board and that being a board member is a tough job.

“I enjoy what I do. It can be difficult on your children and that is the most upsetting thing. You aren’t going to be the most popular but the job is easy if you always do what is in the best interest of the kids,” said Goldstein. “ I go back to looking at the kids. It has got to be about the kids, end of story.”

Patch asked Goldstein about what the tough issues are facing residents during this school budget vote.

“It is about sustainability. The community wants to sustain that, sustain these high standards. It is a balancing act. You have to be able to meet those needs with the resources you have. They want to stay in Kings Park they want to be able to afford to live here.”

Patch then asked Goldstein what she believes are the tough issues facing the board this year. Goldstein says the issues are two-fold.

“We are dealing with a tough global economy. We are dealing with families that are struggling, losing jobs and homes. People are looking more at where the money is going and how it is allocated. You must be certain you serve the students first and be fiscally responsible,” said Goldstein.

She also spoke of the challenges of unfunded school mandates.

“There have been cut backs in state aid and unfunded mandates we have to deal with. We have to keep our eye on the ball, on the students,” said Goldstein. “It is easy to do what is right when you think of your own kids.