A RUNDOWN OF YOUR BOARD OF EDUCATION CANDIDATES

The South Country, Patchogue-Medford, Bayport-Blue Point and William Floyd school district board of education and budget votes will take place on Tuesday, May 19.

SOUTH COUNTRY
By Sam Desmond

The South Country School District board of education election has four candidates running for two open trustee seats that will be vacated by BOE president E. Anne Hayes and Cheryl A. Felice. The election will be decided at large, i.e., the two candidates with the most votes will be elected to the board.

Kenyanah Augustin

Augustin is a South Country parent and community member with five sons who attend Brookhaven Elementary, Frank P. Long Intermediate, Bellport Middle School, and Bellport High School. She currently serves on the PTA Board at Frank P. Long and Bellport Middle School — two years at Frank P. Long and one year at Bellport Middle School. She is also a PTA member at nearly every school in the district.
Augustin believes her election win to the board would result in efforts to rebuild that trust through accountability and involvement.

“I will push for plain-language summaries of budgets and contracts released earlier, so taxpayers and staff can understand them. I will push for stronger two-way communication with all parts of our community so no one feels left out,” said Augustin. “Trust and accountability go both ways. I’ll explain my votes clearly, and I’ll ask our community to stay involved — to come to meetings, ask questions, and hold us to the work. I’ve done that for 12 years as a PTA leader and neighbor. I’m asking for your vote to do it on the Board of Education.”

Linda Brown

Linda Brown has over15 years of professional experience in administration, benefits management, and fiduciary responsibility. Brown said that these previous roles required strong financial oversight, budgeting discipline, compliance, and long-term planning.

Upon election, Brown said she would prioritize clear, consistent financial reporting, realistic budgeting, and stronger oversight to ensure problems are identified early—not after they become crises.

“I will also work to improve communication so the community fully understands both challenges and solutions,” said Brown. “This election is about more than a budget vote—it’s about restoring trust, protecting our classrooms, and putting the district on a stable, sustainable path forward.”

Michael Kellerman

Kellerman did not submit responses to the interview questions by time of print.

John Muglia

John Muglia is an alumnus and lifelong resident of the community.

The No. 1 issue facing the district, according to Muglia, is financial stability and a lack of trust. “These challenges are closely connected, as long term stability depends on transparent and responsible financial practices.”

As a BOE trustee, Muglia said he would would support stronger financial oversight, budgets based on actual operating needs, and clear communication with the community.

“My focus would be on improving accountability, restoring trust, and helping the district achieve long term stability,” said Muglia.

PAT-MED
By Sam Desmond

The Patchogue-Medford board of education election has four candidates running for three seats. As Patchogue-Medford is an at-large voting structure, the three candidates with the most votes will be elected to the board. The positions opened because trustees Marc Negrin and Diana Andrade did not seek reelection. The third-place winner will have a shorter term to serve, from May 19 through June 30.

Laura Banse

Candidate Laura Banse and her husband have been Patchogue residents for 20 years, 17 of which are in Patchogue Village. Their long history of community service includes leadership roles in the Patchogue Ambulance and the Patchogue Fire Department.

With the birth of their fourth child, Banse’s commitment to the Patchogue school system for another 17 years is a strong motivator for her to make lasting and effective changes now. She currently belongs to the Bay Elementary Parent Teachers Association (PTA).

Top issue that Banse recognizes is minimizing classroom size and investigating why the teacher retention rate is not stronger.

Banse believes more transparency, like opening the discussion of minimizing class sizes and teacher retention to the community.

“The school district is the epicenter of the community and what brings people here. The children have so many opportunities.”

Mark Grossman

More than 20 years ago, Mark Grossman served two terms as a trustee on the South Country school district.

For the past 15 years, Grossman has taught communications at Nassau and Suffolk community colleges. At Nassau, Grossman serves in a leadership role within the Adjunct Faculty Association, representing his department and advocating for colleagues.

According to Grossman, “The district is entering a period of significant transition. A new superintendent has just been appointed, there will be changes in board membership, and there has already been a shift in board leadership. That is a lot of moving pieces at once.”

During this transitory period, Grossman stresses that stability and good governance are essential. “The focus should be on supporting a smooth transition, building a strong working relationship with the new superintendent, and keeping the board centered on students.”

“With my prior board experience, I would be ready to contribute immediately and help provide continuity during this transition. I understand how to ask the right questions, work collaboratively, and keep decisions grounded in what is best for the district.

“With so much change underway, this is not the time for on-the-job training.”

Kelli Anne Jennings

Kelli Anne Jennings is the only incumbent candidate on this year’s board of education election slate. She currently serves as the board of education trustees president.

Jennings has also served as a special educator for 27 years with Eastern Suffolk BOCES and Nassau Suffolk BOCES. In her role as Board Certified Behavior Analyst, (BCBA)  she provides functional behavioral assessments, develops interventions, and teaches life skills.

In her tenure as trustee and president, Jennings said her greatest accomplishments included the resolution for more recess, selecting a new superintendent after over a year-long search, new programs to math and reading, and the ubiquitous number of instances where decisions were made collaboratively between the board and the community.

If re-elected, Jennings said the main items would be working with the superintendent for an effective approach to the challenges unique to the district, mandatory Universal Pre-school for the 2027-2028 school year, and the mandate for zero emission busses.

She also wanted to continue the work on the reading program to make an official, standard curriculum, a “true reading program.”

Michelle LaMartina

Michelle LaMartina said that she is grateful for the opportunity to run for a seat on the Board of Education at Pat-Med as the district has opened many doors of opportunity for her, as a student and now as a parent. LaMartina has three generations of graduates in her family, from her mother (1964), herself (1989), and her son (2026).

She has also served in various leadership roles including: President of FAME, formerly SOA PTA President, the chairperson for Kris Kringle, Jay Nichols and Paul Ambrose Generations Bass Outing, and St. Baldrick’s Team Chenke.

LaMartina believes one of the most important issues facing the district is “proactively planning for near-term community growth and meeting the demands of the community expansion while maintaining a financially strong district and ensuring every student, educator, and staff member is supported with the tools they need to be successful.”

LaMartina said that she is looking forward to working collaboratively with fellow trustees, the new superintendent, and the cabinet to keep Pat-Med on a strong financial footing and to ensure programs, staffing, and services are ready to meet changing needs, while communicating and being transparent to the community. 

BAYPORT-BLUEPOINT
By Connor Patton

There are two uncontested seats on the Bayport-Blue Point School District’s Board of Education in the upcoming school board election. Incumbent trustees Jessica Pignataro and Michael Miller are each running for one of the two, three-year trustee terms during the school board election.

What have been your proudest accomplishments while serving on the board?

Pignataro: I am extremely proud of the expansion of mental health services for our students. We were able to make our Social Worker positions permanent in every building, and expand our Elementary School Counselor position from part-time to full-time. We have supported the addition of new clubs and extracurricular activities for our students, and recently opened the new Wellness Center, a welcoming indoor/outdoor space at Bayport-Blue Point High School. I am also proud of the enhancements we have made to district security, including camera upgrades, facility upgrades, and extended hours for our security guards.

Miller: I have come to appreciate that every accomplishment is truly a team effort. Nothing is done alone—it is, and always will be, the result of collaboration among the board, administration, faculty, staff, and community.

I am proud to have played a small role in continuing to strengthen and expand our academic programs. This includes ensuring that all juniors and seniors who wish to attend BOCES are able to do so, providing universal access to pre-K for families who want a seat, and expanding special education opportunities, including increased co-teaching across grade levels. We have also enhanced our academic offerings by adding more electives and rigorous coursework, such as the AP Capstone program.

In addition, we reduced transportation mileage requirements, allowing more students to access safe and reliable busing to and from school each day.

I am especially proud of the strong, respectful relationships we have built with all of our bargaining units over these 12 years. That mutual respect has helped foster a positive working environment where morale can thrive, ultimately benefiting our students and the entire school community.

What are your top priorities for the district as a trustee? How have you delivered in those areas?

Pignataro: I have always had a focus on social-emotional wellness and Special Education, as well as district security. As mentioned above, I believe the district has made (and continues to make) great strides in these areas. In addition to the aforementioned enhancements to security and additions to wellness services, we’ve expanded our course offerings in Special Education at the secondary level, and streamlined student placements at the elementary level, to keep students placed in one building throughout their elementary years. It is exciting and gratifying to have these initiatives come to life, and see the positive impacts on our students and families.

Miller: My top priority has always been to provide the most robust and well-rounded educational experience possible for all students. That includes not only strong academic programs, but also meaningful extracurricular opportunities that support student growth, engagement, and achievement.

A key part of delivering on that priority is ensuring we attract and retain the highest-quality educators and staff. I strongly believe that hiring experienced, dedicated professionals—and compensating them well for the important work they do—is essential to maintaining a high-performing school district.

Over the years, working collaboratively as a board, we have delivered on these priorities by supporting comprehensive academic programming, expanding student opportunities, and fostering an environment where both students and staff can succeed. At the same time, we have remained mindful of our responsibility to the community by maintaining fiscal responsibility.

We will continue to partner with our bargaining units to ensure competitive and fair compensation across the board. Sustaining excellence as a top-performing district requires a continued commitment to investing in our staff.

What is your vision for Bayport-Blue Point as a new superintendent comes into office this summer?

Pignataro: The hiring of a new Superintendent may be one of the most important things that a Board of Education is tasked to do, as the decision will have lasting impacts on the district and community as a whole. The successful candidate is someone with extensive experience in education who understands our community and can confidently step into the role as not only an educational leader, but a community leader. We are a small district with a proud history, and we are seeking someone who plans to stay and grow with us for a long time. We’ve been so fortunate to have Dr. Hearney at the helm, and because of his hard work and dedication, he will be leaving the district in an excellent position for continued success.

Miller: My vision is to build a strong, collaborative partnership between the Board of Education and the new superintendent, grounded in trust, communication, and shared goals. This is an opportunity to build on the district’s strengths while identifying areas for growth. I look forward to supporting a vision that continues to prioritize student success, innovation, and community engagement.

Why should residents vote for you? What in your background makes you qualified for this role?

Pignataro: I’ve been a School Counselor at a public high school for 22 years. My extensive experience at the intersection of public education and mental health brings an important perspective to my role as Trustee. I ask for the community’s vote because I take this role very seriously; I am thoroughly prepared and present for every meeting, and make an effort to raise insightful points at the dais. I am an active participant in Board discussions and welcome community engagement with the Board. It is an honor to have been elected twice to this position, and I hope to have the community put its trust in me a third time.

Miller: Residents should consider voting for me because I bring 12 years of experience and a deep understanding of our district and its needs. Over that time, I have developed the knowledge and perspective necessary to make thoughtful, informed decisions that put students first while balancing the expectations of our community.

My background in education, combined with my experience on the Board of Education, has prepared me to effectively navigate complex issues and provide steady leadership—especially during times of transition, such as the appointment of a new superintendent. I understand the importance of continuity, collaboration, and clear communication in ensuring long-term success.

I am committed to serving our community with integrity, experience, and a continued focus on doing what is best for our students and district. 

WILLIAM FLOYD
By Nicole Fuentes

The William Floyd School District Board of Education has two seats open, currently held by Angelo Cassarino and Robert Taiani. Both candidates will be running for re-election. Cassarino will run unopposed and Taiani will run against Joseph Barone. 

Angelo Cassarino, unopposed

Angelo Cassarino is seeking his third three-year term on the William Floyd Board of Education. Throughout his tenure, Cassarino and his colleagues on the board have been advocating for William Floyd schools and the community as a whole. He said they have also worked hard to provide the most opportunities for students while keeping budgets fiscally responsible, as evidenced by two large reductions over the past few years, as well as consistently zero or less than one percent budget increases. He said he is proud of the increased graduation rates, as well as the various opportunities that the district offers including the Career and Technical Education programs, STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, the Arts & Mathematics), music, robotics, athletics and so much more. He is also proud of the increasing graduation rate and how schools are helping to prepare students for the next chapter in their lives, whether college, a trade school or the military. Cassarino is a William Floyd alumnus, Class of 1994, who resides in Shirley, with his wife, Tracy, a 1993 William Floyd alumna. He has two daughters who are also William Floyd alumnae. Angelo and Tracy chose to live and raise their family in the William Floyd community because of the fond memories they had growing up, as well as to provide their children with the multitude of opportunities that the district offers. Cassarino also serves as a trustee on the Eastern Suffolk BOCES Board of Education.

Robert Taiani

Robert Taiani is seeking his seventh three-year term on the board. He currently serves as vice president, a role that he was first elected to in late 2022. Taiani brings 18 years of volunteer board service experience to the position. In his career, he served for 21 years as an emergency services officer at the World Trade Center with the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey. His law enforcement experience has been vital to the implementation of various security measures and upgrades in district schools over the years. After various audits by local and federal law enforcement, the district has been complimented as being a flagship example in this capacity. He is proud of his track record, along with his colleagues on the board, of keeping tax rates low including two large reductions over the past few years. He is also proud of the many offerings that are available to students including the district’s vast Career and Technical Education offerings, as well as opportunities for students with various interests including our award-winning music program, the arts, sciences, NJROTC, athletics and more. The district’s graduation rate has also increased exponentially over the course of his tenure, beginning with 67 percent when he first started, to consistently in the 90 percent range. He said he is proud to serve on a board that continues to put the students first while being fiscally responsible for residents.

“It’s about students learning skills and preparing for the future, whether college, a trade or the military,” he said, referring to the vast opportunities available for students who attend William Floyd schools.

Taiani is a William Floyd alumnus, Class of 1991, and resides in Moriches, with his wife and four children, two of whom are still attending William Floyd schools (one in middle school and one in high school). Taiani said he most enjoys seeing the smiles on the faces of graduating seniors each June when he has the privilege of presenting them with their diplomas.

Joseph Barone

Barone has been a financial professional for over 38 years. He was also a member of the WF school board from 2007 through 2016 as well as a lifelong resident of the community. Both he and his wife graduated from the William Floyd schools as did their children.

“In my opinion the choices of the voting public have been very few. The only time there is usually a choice in candidates is when someone voluntarily leaves their seat. This leads to voter apathy. I believe that we as voters should have a choice in candidates no matter the office,” he said of the race. “If the incumbent is doing a great job, they vote for them. If the voters believe that the incumbent is not doing a great job they vote for the other person.  While William Floyd’s budget has been very well prepared for many years, I am aware that there will be some hard choices going forward as the exodus of the affluent leave NY because of the Governor’s policies and concern with redistributing wealth towards NYC.”