Get to know the East Islip BOE candidates

On Tuesday, May 20 from 6 to 9 p.m., East Islip residents will vote to fill one open seat on the East Islip Board of Education.

Incumbent candidate Timothy Sassone and Dr. Nichelle Rivers are both vying for the three year-long position on the board.

Dr. Nichelle Rivers (Challenger)

Dr. Nichelle Rivers is a mother, grandmother and educator with over 27 years of experience. Rivers is a former classroom teacher and has worked in a variety of different leadership roles, including assistant principal, principal, assistant superintendent and briefly superintendent. She received her Bachelor of Science degree in visual art and a master’s degree in educational administration from Tennessee State University. Additionally, she holds a second master’s degree in clinical art therapy and counseling from Long Island University. Lastly, she holds a doctorate in Educational Leadership and Policy Studies from the University of Memphis.

She currently serves as assistant superintendent for human resources at Eastern Suffolk BOCES, where she has worked for about three years.

Rivers plans to bring a “students first” approach to the Board of Education by making decisions that ensure the growth, mental health, and academic success of students. In addition to her role at BOCES, Rivers also works as a creative arts therapist and carries a perspective centered around healing, mental health and well-being.

Rivers hopes to expand opportunities for students involved in arts and innovation by expanding funding for programs involving STEM, the visual arts, theatre and robotics.

Accessibility and inclusion are vital to Rivers; she seeks to ensure that all of her messages and notices sent out to families are translated in their native language and people with disabilities can easily access the services, buildings, and programs offered by the district.

Lastly, Rivers hopes to ensure that students receive a “future ready” education, preparing students to thrive at the next level while working with people they may not have worked with before. Rivers recognizes the importance of instilling in students the skills, knowledge, compassion and empathy to work with people that they may feel are different from them.

Timothy Sassone (Incumbent)

Education has always been Timothy Sassone’s passion, and he feels a rigorous academic program would be beneficial to the East Islip School District.

Sassone received his Bachelor of Science degree from SUNY Stony Brook with a double major in business management and economics. While working in the private sector, his passion for the past led him to pursue a master’s degree in history and a career in education, where he has been for the last 20 years. As a capstone to his educational career, he received a post-master’s degree in both school building and school district leadership.

Sassone is running for re-election to a three-year term for the East Islip Board of Education. During his three-year term, Sassone served on the Audit Committee, School Safety Committee, and Excellence in Learning Committee. Sassone is proud that the budgets passed during his time on the board have been well below the allotted tax cap and inflation levels.

Sassone feels that his experience serving on the board has made him keenly aware of items ranging from budget analysis to local and state curriculum goals. It is his goal as a member of the Board of Education that East Islip students receive a top-notch education with a diverse set of opportunities based on desire and ability.

Sassone’s priorities include thorough and appropriate spending of taxpayer money in order to impact students directly. Additionally, he hopes to make an intentional effort to prevent soaring tax levy increases to protect property values and allow the chance for future generations to remain in the community. Sassone notes that a very important factor in coming years will be maintaining the independence of East Islip schools against encroaching federal and state curriculum driven by political ideology.