A candidate's forum was held on Thursday evening, April 26 to provide residents with an opportunity to meet three candidates running for open board of education trustee seats. Two candidates, Lisa Bell and Joy Jorgensen, are running for the seat currently held by Dr. Dolores Saxton, who recently announced that she intends to step down following this school year. Tina Diamond, who is currently on the board of education, is running unopposed.

The candidates presented those in attendance with their biography, spoke of their history in Farmingdale and their reasons for wanting to become a board member, and answered questions from the audience.

Lisa Bell, a resident of Farmingdale for 11 years, has three children currently attending schools in the district which she says gives her a better understanding of the occurrences in the schools. She has been a member of several community groups and has held executive committee positions at Woodward Parkway, Howitt Middle School's SEPTA and for the Council of PTAs. In addition, she was president of SEPTA and the Woodward Parkway PTA and she has played an active role in Girl Scouts, Cub Scouts and the American Heart Association.

Bell said that her involvement in the PTA and other community-based organizations have intensified her dedication to the Farmingdale School District and have kept her in touch with both educational and social issues facing children today. Her involvement in these several community organizations was a main factor in her decision to run.

"This is the next step for me to bring forward my knowledge and experience to enhance the board of education decision-making body," Bell said. "I would like to give the community a voice. I want to be someone [residents] can come to," she added, "to bring [their] issues and concerns."

In response to an audience question regarding what experience each candidate has in education that qualifies them to determine and implement programs, Bell explained that most of her experience is PTA-related. She added that she is very involved in her own children's education and is concerned with the new state standards students are expected to achieve.

Bell added that in her opinion, the role of students, parents and teachers is very important in a school setting. "We need to find a way to get parents involved," she said, adding that it's important that all three work together.

When asked what, in her opinion, the greatest challenge in implementing new learning standards is, Bell said that schools require the proper programs to educate students. "I don't know if many people know this, but 85 percent of jobs that current kindergarten students will hold [after graduation] don't even exist today. We need to have the proper programs to educate them for what they need to know when they get out into the real world," she said.

Bell added that through her years of experience being a member of various community organizations, she has a better understanding of what children in Farmingdale need, especially since she has three of her own. "I believe I have become a better children advocate and parent through my years of experience in PTA and other groups," she said, adding that children should always come first and that if elected, she hopes to continue the prominent growth already occurring in the district.

Tina Diamond, whose one-year term ends at the conclusion of this school year, explained that while she is running unopposed she felt it was her duty to attend the forum so she could express her views and hear residents' concerns. "I have worked with parents, administrations, children, and students," she said, "and I too am a resident and taxpayer. All of these issues come up when an issue is on the table."

Diamond has been a resident of the Farmingdale School District for 48 years, with one child who is a student of the district. As a member of the community, she has held several positions in various organizations including being co-president of the Woodward Parkway PTA, president of the high school PTA, president of the PTA Council, member of the lobby committee, districtwide shared decision committee, operation SOS committee, Boy Scouts and PAL.

Although not an educator, Diamond said she too, like Bell, has been intensely involved in the community through the PTA. She explained that she is running again hoping to ensure the quality of education the district has continually offered all students.

Diamond stressed that parents, teachers and students need to work collaboratively in order for the students to achieve a successful education.

"The parent is the teacher at home," she said, "a lot of that has been lost in the current culture we live in," she explained saying that with so many parents working today, sometimes to late hours, they aren't always as involved as they should be in their child's education. She added that while involved in the PTA, she has tried to bring parents back because students need reinforcement at home. "They all need each other," she said. "Parents need to know that the school board represents them."

Diamond said that one of the greatest challenges in implementing new learning standards is teacher hiring. She said that many good teachers are being lost to higher paying districts, adding that the greatest focus has to be on teaching students math and science in lower grade levels since numbers for both subjects are declining all over the country.

When asked what is a positive program in Farmingdale schools, Diamond responded by saying that they are all positive, but if she had to pick just one it would be technology since it is the most current curriculum of its kind. "It motivates students; the computers do that," she said, "and if that can make students want to learn, then that's the best program."

In regard to existing policies and if she would change anything about them, Diamond said that "all policies should be evaluated on a timely basis to ensure they serve the best educational interests of all students."

"I am a committed supporter of public education and that all children should be provided the best education to reach their potential," Diamond added.

Joy Jorgensen, a lifelong resident of Farmingdale, has one grandchild who will be attending Northside Elementary in September. Jorgensen is a retired biology and general science teacher. An educator for over 41 years, 37 1/2 of them were spent in Farmingdale teaching at Mill Lane Jr. High, Howitt Middle School and Farmingdale High School.

"I have always been interested in education. My roots are here, I was born in Farmingdale, I love Farmingdale," Jorgensen stated. "My years here have been worthwhile and priceless; I would like to give back to the community," she added, saying that if elected she hopes to maintain programs while keeping an eye on taxes.

Jorgensen has been involved with the Farmingdale PTA for over three decades, and was president of the high school PTA for three years and the Farmingdale Council of PTAs for one year. She was a member of the council for over 20 years and also a member of the Women's Club of Farmingdale, the Farmingdale-Bethpage Historical Society, the Farmingdale Breakfast Rotary and was on the board of directors for YES Community Counseling Service.

"I would like to maintain and strengthen our outstanding programs while keeping in mind the effect of the tax rate on all residents in our community," she said of her reason for candidacy.

When asked what changes she would make in existing policies, Jorgensen responded that currently, she wishes to review policies in light of the district's new organizational patterns and then with her fellow board members she would like to develop new policies to keep up with the changes in education.

"I feel that it is very important to listen," Jorgensen said, adding that it's important to receive input from the community's parents, students and teachers to determine the best techniques in implementing programs.

"The most important role of the teacher is to meet new standards," Jorgensen explained when asked what, in her opinion, is the most important role of parents, students and teachers. "They need to motivate the student; need to keep up with current issues." She added that the student has to be involved and prepared, but that parent involvement is key. "All three have to work together. The board has to be sure standards are being met. As a board of trustees member, you have to be a facilitator," she said.

Jorgensen explained that one of the main problems in having programs for students to meet new standards is that they are going to cost money. "People are upset taxes are going up," she said, adding that it's important to keep an eye on such increases.

Some residents expressed concern over whether or not the fact that Jorgensen's son-in-law is also a board member would cause a conflict of interest for her. "I am my own person," she explained. "We are both adults, we have completely different backgrounds," she said, adding that there should be no reason for either of them to feel awkward or for residents to be concerned.

"Farmingdale has provided me and my family with a wonderful life and as your board of education trustee I look forward to being able to give back my personal and professional experiences" Jorgensen said.

Each candidate thanked the Farmingdale Council of PTAs for sponsoring the forum and allowing them an opportunity to express their views and goals. Residents are being asked to vote for the trustee of their choice on Tuesday, May 5, between 6 a.m. and 9 p.m. in Howitt Middle School's East Gymnasium.