Schools

N. Babylon BOE Candidate: Geri-Ann McNamee

Patch is asking your Board of Education candidates their goals for the district.

With the North Babylon Board of Education election and budget vote next week, Patch is taking a look at the candidates in this year's election.

Newcomer Heather Rowland will be facing incumbent Jay Shinnick for his Board of Education seat. On the other side, incumbent Bob Scheid will face off against Geri-Ann McNamee for the other remaining North Babylon seat.

We sent an e-mail to all of the candidates asking them the same questions to give residents an idea of who each candidate and what their goals are for the district.

Geri-Ann McNamee
Age: 36
Occupation: Elementary School Teacher
Children: 2 (ages 7 and 6)
Lived in North Babylon: 12 years

Patch: Why are you running?

I am running because I have a vested interest in the education, safety and future of every child in North Babylon.  I want to work with others and make sure every child receives a well rounded education filled with priceless memories. 

Patch: What is the biggest challenge facing the district?

The biggest problems facing North Babylon School District are reduction in state aid, unfunded mandates and the property tax cap.   

Patch: What would be your top goals, if elected, to achieve within the district over the next few years?

My top goals would be to decrease the amount of students in each class and to increase the amount of technological resources available to teachers.  If class sizes were smaller, and teachers had the necessary technological resources; lessons would be individualized and meaningful for each student.

Patch: What is one thing you want to do differently in the district?

I would make it my priority to develop a plan to address and alleviate the problems of class size and lack of technology in the classroom.  Although the BOE has addressed the problem by hiring back 4 of the 70 teachers laid off over the past four years to help equalize class size, it is only fixing the problem for now.  It’s like putting a band aid on a wound that requires stitches.  I would make it a priority to develop a long term plan that addresses and alleviates both problems.    


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