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Three seek two seats on Plainedge School Board Two seats are open on the Plainedge School board, with one incumbent seeking reelection and the other stepping down. Running in the at-large election is incumbent trustee Douglas Pascarella. He faces opposition from Nancy Giris and Dennis Gustavson. Pascarella is one of the youngest members to be elected to the Plainedge School Board. Since 2004, when he was first seated, he said that he believes he has gained a reputation as an "independent thinker" and deserves another three-year term. His experience as an accounting major at Adelphi University has also helped him to understand and work with the rest of the board on the district's annual budget. "I think my studies in accounting have helped me understand the budget process better...and my Human Resources, Management, and Organizational behavior classes have helped me out tremendously in other ways," said Pascarella. Pascarella grew up in Plainedge and says that because of his youth, he is able to bring a different viewpoint to the table. If reelected, Pascarella said he would focus on bringing more information about the district to the public and provide and establish a program of having student liaisons attending board meetings. The issue of good communication between the board and the public it serves was raised by his opponents as well. Listening to the community is a top priority, said Gustavson, the father of 3 children, 2 of whom are attending Plainedge schools. "My perspective as a parent will assist me in both making decisions that are best for the children and in understanding other community members' concerns as well," he said. "I can appreciate there is an emotion behind a parent's request when they speak at board meetings." "I think [communication] is a problem and that there is some distrust (by the community of the board) out there," said Pascarella. "We have to address that." Giris said her strong ties to the community are what compelled her to run for the board and that she believes her passion to work on behalf of the community is her most powerful asset. "I have the unique perspective of having been a student, a teacher, a parent, and a PTA officer, all within my own home district," said Giris, "I know our history and have a vision for the future." Gustavson said that his decision to run all came down to "timing." He said that now with a new Superintendent, Christine P'Simer, coming in and a board member, Loretta Giardina, not running for reelection, it seemed like the perfect time for him to run. And, his financial background working with large budgets is something that will help him to bring greater fiscal responsibility to the board. "Education is first and foremost," he said. "But we have to keep the issues facing retirees in mind." Gustavson is President of the Special Education Parent Teacher Association (SEPTA) and is a coach for PAL basketball. Nancy Giris is also involved in many community organizations. She has served as Eastplain PTA copresident, events volunteer, and chairperson. She is also a member of the district's Wellness Council and has served as a Girl Scout leader. An animal advocate, she also volunteers at Bide-a-Wee. Giris calls herself a "Plainedge Pilgrim" because not only has she graduated from Plainedge Schools, but her parents did as well, and she is continuing this tradition with her 3 children. A teacher (certified for nursery-grade 6), English (grades 7-12), and Special Education (up to 21 years old), she has taught in the Plainedge School District at John H. West Elementary School. Her main objective, if elected,would be to bring back programs that were lost when the district was on austerity and to "define" and "safeguard" the core programs within the district. "Students and community members deserve stability in their district's opportunities," she said. "The core academic, athletic, and co-curricular offerings should be non-negotiable at budget time. Budget cuts must come from areas that do not directly impact the students of Plainedge." Trustees serve as volunteers and receive no financial compensation for their work. They are responsible for the district budget, hiring and setting policy The budget vote and election will be held Tuesday, May 15, from 6 a.m., to 9 p.m. in the Plainedge High School gymnasium.
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