The League of Women Voters (LWV) of Port Washington-Manhasset is hosting a candidates forum for the two candidates vyingfor the one opening seat on the Manhasset School Board THIS Wednesday, April 30, at 7 pm in the Common Room at the Manhasset Library. Come hear each candidate explain why she is the best choice and ask pertinent questions to help you decide.
Marirose Merola and Patricia Aitken will be competing for the seat currently held by Ms. Aitken, whose term ends this year.
Challenger Marirose Merola has lived in Manhasset for 14 years and has two children currently in the Manhasset school system plus one who graduated. She has both a BA in information technology and an MBA from St. Johns University plus an MA in education from Touro College. Ms. Merola has been a special education teacher for the past ten years and was previously a computer information specialist for financial institutions. She has been an active participant in many local education committees, including the Shelter Rock Shared Decision Making Team, the SCA Community Education Committee and the Parents Aligned to Support our Schools, which she co-chaired. She also teaches at her church.
Incumbent Patricia Aitken has lived in Manhasset for 16 years, and her three children all graduated from Manhasset High School. She earned a BA in international relations and French from Colgate University and attended Universite de Dijon in France. Ms. Aitken is currently a consultant in financial and business restructuring and for the past nine years has also served on the school board. She sits on the board’s Audit and Board Policy Committees and is a Liaison to the SCA, the Manhasset Athletics Advisory Committee and the Long Range Facilities Planning Committee. She is also a member of the school district’s Citizens Advisory Committee for Finance and an active volunteer for her university and church.
Presentations by each candidate will begin promptly at 7 pm and be followed by open questions from the audience. Coffee and tea will be served.
The election will follow next month on Tuesday, May 20, from 6:30 am to 10 pm in the high school gym.
For additional information, contact LWV Vice President Judy Jacobson at 516-627-0832 or judyhp@gmail.com.
The League of Women Voters is a nonpartisan organization, open to both men and women, that encourages citizens to participate in government and to influence policy through education and advocacy.
