Huntington School Board Candidate: Bill Dwyer

Huntington Patch has been interviewing candidates ahead of the May 17 election when voters will decide not only on the 2011-12 budget but also pick two people to serve on the school board for the next three years.

We videotaped all candidates available Friday night so that voters can hear directly what they have to say about the issues.

Starting today, we'll be publishing video statements from the five candidates whose names will be on the ballot. Since the petition deadline was reset after a sixth individual withdrew, it is possible more candidates will appear on the ballot.

First up today is the one incumbent, school board president . He has led the board through controversial decisions involving the closing of Jack Abrams Intermediate School, a legal battle against a move to build senior housing that may feared would led to denser housing in Huntington Station and, with the proposed budget, a reduction of kindergarten to a half-day schedule.

Dwyer also has been the most insistent voice on keeping the budget increase as low as possible; the board adopted a $109-million budget that represents a 3.15 percent tax rate increase, and a .23 increase over this year's budget.

The videos of the will appear in this order:

Tuesday: Jen Hebert

Wednesday: Jim Cahill

Thursday: Susan Tully

Friday: Adam Spector

Videos of the South Huntington board candidates will appear later.