By Tuesday of this week, the staff of under 30 at Patchogue-Medford’s South Ocean Middle School will have compiled and mailed out a total of 32,000 absentee ballots for the voters of the district. The budget vote and board of education elections will be made by absen- tee ballots only this year due to COVID-19 restrictions. In an effort to save time and paper, the Patchogue-Medford Library budget and trustee vote will also be included on the absentee ballot. All votes must be submitted to the district clerk’s office by 5 p.m. on June 9. They can be mailed or deposited in a drop-box outside the administration building on South Ocean Avenue, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday-Friday and from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. on the day of the vote.

The board approved the $195,172,581 budget proposal as of last Thursday night.

This year’s candidates are incumbents Diana Andrade and Kelli Anne Jennings, each running for another three-year term, and newcomer Gerard P. Bringmann. All three will vie for two empty seats, at large.

Diana Andrade

Andrade grew up in Farmingville and pursued her passion in dance at SUNY Brockport. She then married her husband, Diego Andrade, and had two sons, who attend Patchogue-Medford High School.

“I’ve been a proud community member for over 17 years and have been working in the community for over 26 years at Starlite School of Dance,” she said, also noting that she has a home-based wellness business.

About six years ago, she was a PTA mom at Tremont Elementary school who wanted to be a voice for her children and the community. She decided to run for the school board to make sure public education remained under control and testing was not the “end-all be-all of school.” She said she also wanted teachers to be able to teach and not be held “hostage” by the rating system.

“I also wanted to make sure our children were getting a balanced education that included arts, academics, creativity and social growth,” she continued.

For the past six years, she said she believes the board has created an environment for the Patchogue-Medford students, teachers and staff to thrive, while also implementing more recess and new playgrounds for all elementary students, more project-based learning and teaming in our middle schools, a CTE program in the high school and a balanced budget.

Andrade has also served on various board committees, including the Legislative Committee, Instructional Committee, Finance Committee, Audit Committee and the Buildings and Grounds Committee, and has also worked with local and state legislators on many different issues pertaining to the district. She is endorsed by PMCT Patchogue-Medford Congress of Teachers, and Long Island Opt Out.

“As educators and overseers of public education, we are facing unimaginable circumstances. Times and circumstances have dictated change and we must refocus our direction,” she continued. “One-size-fits-all education did not work six years ago, and does not work now.”

Kelli Anne Jennings

Jennings is running for re-election for a seat on the Patchogue-Medford Board of Education. She has been a resident of Medford for 43 years and living with her husband of 15 years.

Together they have two boys who attend Oregon Middle School. She has served for six years as a trustee, second vice president and first vice president. Jennings has also been a committee chair on Buildings and Grounds, Finance, Extra Curricular, Instructional and District Wide Technology and has also served on the Audit Committee. While on the Extra Curricular Committee, she said she helped to bring the Elementary Duathlon and the Community Alumni Band to the district, which showcases students. Outside of her involvement with the board, Jennings is a special education teacher at D.D.I., teaching Early Intervention and UPK Integrated 12:1:2.

“I love my job, and this led me to get the ball rolling and bring back SEPTA to our district,” she said.

Jennings has also served on the Tremont PTA and is a member of the Oregon PTA. She volunteered as a track coach for Rolling Thunder and also for St. Joseph’s CYO. She also was a Cub Scout leader for four years for Pack 40 and served as the committee chair.

“I have represented the board of education at many school and community events, including Eagle ceremonies, school concerts, school musicals/plays and school events such as ROTC family night, Virtual Enterprise, homecoming and science fairs,” she added.

Yearly, she also attends the annual NYSSBA conference for board of education members and has represented Patchogue-Medford as the voting delegate. In her personal time, she is an active parishioner at St. Sylvester’s Church and an avid runner.

“For the past six years, I consistently fight the good fight for the children of our community and I will continue to put the needs of our students above all else,” she promised.