______________ VALLEY STREAM _____________
HERALD
May 11, 2023
looK INSIde
rsary nnive to one a milest on its
Salute to Israel
Vol. 34 No. 20
Stamp out Hunger returns
Peter King on his medical scare
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MAY 11 - 17, 2023
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Three races for school board in Valley Stream 13 By JUAN lASSo jlasso@liherald.com
Courtesy Mike Russo
Art makes a world of difference Hempstead Town Supervisor Don Clavin and Town Clerk Kate Murray, far right, congratulated Dennis Beaudry, of James A. Dever Elementary School in Valley Stream, who won first place in the Covanta Recycling Poster Contest for his Earth Day-themed drawing. The artwork is now being displayed on Town of Hempstead recycling trucks.
In District 24, Trustees Nuñez and Hernandez face challengers By JUAN lASSo jlasso@liherald.com
Five candidates are vying for three seats on the District 24 Board of Education on May 16. Newcomer Rachel Figurasmith is challenging incumbent Trustee Cynthia Nuñez, who is seeking her first full term. Trustee Armando Hernandez is defending his seat against challenger Cristina Arroyo in his bid for a fourth term. Trustee Melissa
Herrera is running for re-election uncontested.
rACHel FIGUrASMItH vs. CYNtHIA NUñez rachel Figurasmith Service has defined Figurasmith’s life. With deep ties to her local Jewish community, the 36-year-old mother of three is a special-education teacher and a nonprofit executive, and has been a local education consultant for
15 years. Figurasmith says the end of federal coronavirus relief funding prompts a time of reflection as the community considers its core values and how those values will be financially prioritized in future budgets. “I would identify safety and inclusive education as top priorities for our district,” she said. “Centering these values would mean continuing to fund mental Continued on page 2
Six candidates are vying for three contested seats on District 13’s Board of Education on May 16. Newcomer Charles Sanky is challenging incumbent trustee Gerardo Cavaliere, who is seeking re-election. Anthony Grosso and Qubilah Mackey-Matos are vying for the seat of veteran trustee Frank Chiachiere, who decided not to run. And incumbent trustee Patricia “Patty” Farrell is defending her seat against challenger Andrew Sgro in her bid for a fourth term. The candidates were asked for their thoughts on the imminent end of pandemic federal aid and the future of grading, among other issues.
CHArleS SANKY vs. GerArdo CAVAlIere Charles Sanky
Charles Sanky spent nearly 40 years of his career in public service as a social worker, hospital administrator, and patient advocate with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. He says his background has helped him develop a keen sense of how to ensure complicated systems work for those they’re intended to serve — and a school district is no different.
Where to vote The 2023-2024 budget and Board of Education elections will take place from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. at your local neighborhood elementary school (this is usually the school your child or your neighbor’s child attends). If you have any questions, contact the district clerk at (516) 568-6117. As a father, he proudly raised three sons through Valley Stream District 13 schools and watched them graduate from Ivy League universities. Sanky credits their early education as a vital influence on their road to long-term academic success. Now, if elected, he hopes to “create policies and practices” in the board that do “right by every child” and ensure that “no child slips through the cracks.” With the phasing out of Covid-19 relief funding in the coming year, Sanky says the board must provide a “transparent thoughtful review of services that were initiated with pandemic relief funding and assess the impact of Continued on page 3