In their bids for re-election to the Roslyn Board of Education next week, trustees Adam Haber and David Seinfeld each said maintenance of the district’s $46 million capital plan and adapting to changes within the state Department of Education will be among the most significant issues the board will face in the coming years.
“I believe that my understanding of how educational systems work, lends an expertise to the board that I see as being important,” said Seinfeld, the assistant superintendent for instruction in the Bellmore-Merrick Central High School District.
Haber and Seinfeld, both Village of East Hills residents, are among four candidates for the Roslyn board of education, joining Trustee David Dubner and Village of Roslyn resident Mindy Kim on the May 19 ballot. The top three vote-getters will win three-year terms to the board.
Haber was first elected in 2009 and has served two terms, while Seinfeld has served three terms since his election in 2006.
Haber, a restaurateur and commercial real estate investor who in the last two years ran as a Democratic candidate for Nassau County Executive and the state Senate, said he is seeking re-election because “I’m proud of the fact we’ve helped make the Roslyn schools some of the best in the state,” adding he wants to be part of seeing the capital plan through to completion.
Seinfeld said the Roslyn School District faces a key period of transition as the district adjusts from the forthcoming resignation of Superintendent of Schools Dan Brenner to his successor, current Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum and Instruction Allison Brown, who will take over in the 2016-17 school year.
“Allison is an extraordinary educator. She has an extraordinary acumen for the classroom and that’s what compelled me to support the plan going forward,” Seinfeld said. “I think I bring a unique perspective in that Allison and I have the same job in different districts, and I know her knowledge base and skill set is going to be a great thing for Roslyn children.”
While Haber said he would make sure “we stay fiscally solid and that [the capital plan] goes through well,” he noted there is “good fiscal stewardship of the board, which I’m happy to be part of.”
Despite saying he would also maintain fiscal responsibility as a trustee, Seinfeld said he wants Roslyn to “continue to push the envelope” by continuing to seek innovations toward its day-to-day classroom experience.
“The world changes faster today than it did yesterday, and for schools to do the right thing by the kids, they need to stay current,” he said.
