3 Seek S. Huntington Trustee Seats

Three candidates will vie for two spots on the South Huntington Board of Education.

The newest candidate, Cameron Williams, is up against the incumbents, Nick Ciappetta and Laura Carey on the May 21 ballot.

At 33, Ciappetta is the veteran of the board, serving nine years. Carey was appointed to the board in December, filling the seat left by Chad Lupinacci, who was elected to the State Assembly.

Williams, 26, is a 2004 Whitman graduate who has served on political campaigns. He graduated from Goucher College in 2008.

Ciappetta said, "I am running again because the current fiscal climate, due to the sluggish economy and tax cap, require experience in budgeting which I have based on nine years on the board. The Board has a lot of turnover in recent years and we need to make sure we have some seasoned members.  I have the experience to help in these difficult times.

"Second, I am excited to build on the very successful first year of our new superintendent.  I believe we have our best collection of administrators in a decade and that the Board and administration are in sync and on the same page.  Continuity on the Board is the best way to keep this progress going."

Carey cites her work experience as a business administrator in saying, "This position allows me to see the importance of fiscal responsibility while keeping the structure of my workplace sound and strong."

 She has two children in the district and serves as president of the PTA Council, said, "I believe it is the board's responsibility to maintain the delicate balance of the needs of our children, community and staff with the fiscal realities of today. I will do my best to achieve the high standards we have set and deserve in our community."

Williams, who worked on the campaigns of Rep. Steve Israel, Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone and U.S. Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, said, "I want to bring  a new perspective, new ideas. I think we need that.  I want to help preserve programs while staying within the tax cap while finding creative ways to not raise taxes. It's been proven that programs such as sports and music  keep kids out of gangs."