What to know before you vote on May 16

Elmont board from 2015 to 2017.

He has over 20 years of experience in the banking world, specializing in budgeting, financial planning, auditing, regulatory compliance, and network and physical security.

For the last decade, Maffea has been involved in the security industry, covering large-scale events, public safety with the Town of Hempstead, and conducting Transportation Security Administration screenings for charter flights. He also has experience in location security, including video surveillance, as well as physical protection of high-value artwork and corporate equipment.

Maffea said he is a homeowner and taxpayer first, so he understands the importance of investing in education and maintaining a quality school district. His main focus is the bond referendum and continuing capital projects, such as implementing security vestibules at the school entrances.

In this day and age, Maffea said he believes schools “can never have too much security.”

“There’s an issue with people who have certain mental issues that have access to guns — my fear is that it happens in Elmont,” Maffea said. “From the security aspect of my background, I’m bringing up every scenario that I can and what we can do to protect not only the children we’re entrusted with, but our employees.”

Angel Ramos

Ramos is an Elmont resident of over 30 years with two children enrolled in the school district. Professionally, he comes from a law-and-order background. He dedicates the rest of his time to mentoring youth through boxing, organized sports and DJ workshops for kids.

He has been an adviser for the Learning for Life Explorer Program for over nine years and has assisted in drug awareness initiatives. He has also been involved in the Elmont Police Activity League.

First and foremost, Ramos said if elected, he wants to make it his mission to gain a better understanding of the school board process and those involved, and to determine areas in which trustees can do better.

He said he has a duty as a parent and Elmont resident to be more involved, not just for his own children but for all children.

“I want voters to know I too am a concerned parent that also has children who currently attend school in the district — I have vision and I’m here to listen,” Ramos said. “In the past 10 years, a lot has changed, from the students, district, staff to the demographic of the district and finances of homeowners on fixed incomes.

“The changes come with new challenges that must be addressed,” he continued.

Patrick Dempsey

Dempsey is a U.S. Marine who has been an Elmont resident since 2001. He is a father to five children and has grandchildren enrolled in the Elmont elementary school district.

He was vice president of the Parent Teacher Association for a few years at Covert Avenue School and was a scoutmaster for Boy Scout Troop 294.

He is a retired federal air marshal for the Department of Homeland Security and formerly worked for the U.S. Department of Justice’s Immigration and Naturalization Service for 10 years.

As a newcomer, Dempsey said he is interested in getting involved in the process and assisting the people of Elmont. He said he values transparency and an open mind, and is willing to listen to all community members.

With the rise of violence in schools, improving safety measures has become a national conversation in the education world. If elected, Dempsey said he will strive to create a safer learning environment for Elmont children.

This includes hiring a new superintendent who shares the same principles.

“(The superintendent needs to be) somebody who is for the children, wants them to learn and just make the environment safe,” Dempsey said. “And bring down taxes — I know in the proposal, we are supposed to be getting a little break for the school tax this year. I want that to continue and see if we can save money, but do the job.”