The William Floyd School District will hold its annual board of education elec- tion on June 9 by mail-in ballot only. Voting will be held by absentee ballot. Registered voters will receive a postage paid ballot in the mail by May 29, 2020, and must be returned by June 9, 2020 at 5 p.m. One incumbent is running unopposed and two residents are running to fill the seat left by Jeanneane Dawson, who died in office in September.
“My name is Robert Taiani. I’m a lifelong resident of the William Floyd School District and a 1991 graduate. I look forward to continuing to serve the William Floyd community as a board trustee for the next three years. It has been an honor to have served on the board of education at William Floyd since May 2008. During this time, working collaboratively with William Floyd District Administration and with the support of the William Floyd community, we have been able to make many necessary improvements to all of our school buildings and athletic facilities. However, the district accomplishment that I am most proud of has been the growth in our graduation rate from 67 percent in 2008 to 89 percent in 2019.”
“Having lived in the William Floyd School District for 40 years and graduating from the William Floyd system, I know what a wonderful community this is. My wife is also a graduate of William Floyd. I am the class of ’94 and my wife ’93. Both our daughters have attended the William Floyd district. Our daughter, Ashley, graduated in 2016 and was captain of the cheerleading team, while our youngest daughter Mia is in seventh grade and plays on the soccer and basketball teams at William Floyd Middle School. We decided to start our family here because of the fond memories we had growing up and the benefits we knew our children would receive from the many programs and dedicated teachers in the district.
I decided to run for the board of education to help preserve the way of the William Floyd education. To work with the current administration to preserve the 2 percent cap and keep this amazing district affordable for our blue-collar community. We need to fight for more funding from the state, especially now, not only to keep the programs we have but to expand and adapt to the evolving needs of our students.
It’s imperative more now than ever to make our impact felt within our district. Never did we think we might have to fight Albany to keep our schools open. Virtual learning should be a tool used to assist with education, not replace it. It does not outweigh the benefits of socialization or one on one, direct interaction with teachers. And how are working parents supposed to care for their children if they are home schooled? The idea of shutting schools down is inconceivable. A strong education is essential for our students to gain more employable skills in a job market with already high standards.
My entire family is extremely proud to be Floyd Strong, and I will bring that spirit to board meetings and our community.”
“My name is Andrew Schildkraut and I am running for a seat on the William Floyd School Board. I have been a resident of the William Floyd School District for 42 years. I attended William Floyd High School and graduated in 1995. I obtained my degree in legal studies from St. John’s University and I’m currently employed by the Department of Homeland Security.
People often say home is where you hang your hat and for 42 years. I’ve been proud to call the tri-hamlet area my home. My parents moved here over 45 years ago and continue to reside here. My sisters, also both Floyd graduates, and their families also reside here in the district. This community was a great place to grow up in and continues to be a great place to raise a family.
My children currently attend William Paca Middle School and Nathaniel Woodhull Elementary School. I am pleased to be able to raise my two children in the William Floyd School District because of the excellent opportunities provided to them.
I have a clear vision for the provision of education for the children in our school district. I am passionate about education and the endless possibilities it can create not only for my children but for all the children in the district.
I attend all school board meetings, various PTO meetings and other school functions. I am also an executive board member of the William Floyd Alumni Association. The knowledge I’ve obtained by attending and participating in these activities has made me acutely aware of what our district can become, and should continue to strive to be, in the future.
If elected to the school board, one of my goals is to continue to boost community involvement, especially when it comes to voting and advocating for what we so deeply deserve from our representatives in Albany. It’s with our voices and our votes that the politicians take notice and make changes.
Guided by the motto, “Our rich history will build a promising future,” the Wil- liam Floyd School District helps guide and shape the students of today into the leaders of tomorrow.
When elected to the school board, I will help achieve these goals by: empowering our students to fulfill their academic and social passions in a district that is diverse, welcoming and inclusive for all students, faculty and staff; creating connections among education, music, athletics and after-school clubs and community service; supporting a dynamic faculty dedicated to teaching, mentoring and nurturing all students; involving our family of alumni and friends through innovative programs and events that enrich their lifelong rela- tionship with the William Floyd School District; and help redevelop our position as one of the top school districts on Long Island.”
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