As a lifelong resident of the Farmingdale community, I am pleased to announce that I am seeking a seat on the board of education.

I was born in Farmingdale in the house in which I still reside. As Joy Schuck, I attended kindergarten through high school at the Main Street School. I married my high school sweetheart, Larry Jorgensen, who is also a lifelong "Daler." He is currently the president of the Farmingdale Public Library Board of Trustees.

I have one daughter, who attended Farmingdale schools from kindergarten through high school and is now a practicing attorney. My daughter and her husband live in Farmingdale and in September my granddaughter, Jayne, will attend first grade at Northside School. I recently retired after teaching at Mill Lane Junior High School, Howitt Middle School and Farmingdale High School for 37 1/2 years.

I now feel it is time to share with our community what I have "learned."

During those 37 1/2 years, I was the advisor to the Junior and Senior Honor Society and the Junior Historical Society. I am an original member of the High School Instructional Council, which evolved into the Shared Decision Making Committee. I am also a member of the High School Scholarship Committee, a founding member of the High School Renaissance Program, and a member of both Farmingdale COPE and the district's Health Committee.

I have been involved in the PTA for almost 30 years, beginning with my years at Mill Lane Jr. High School. I served as president of the Farmingdale High School PTA for three years and went on to become president of the Farmingdale Council of PTAs I was privileged to receive the PTA Jenkins Memorial Award and the Distinguished Service Award, two of PTAs highest honors.

Currently, I serve on the board of directors for the YES Community Counseling Services. I am a member of the Farmingdale/Bethpage Historical Society, the Farmingdale Women's Club, and the Farmingdale Breakfast Rotary.

My lifelong commitment to education and our students has given me the drive to maintain our excellent programs here in Farmingdale. Practicality has shown me that we must maintain fiscal responsibility as well. During my years in the classroom and my involvement in PTA, I have seen the result of state mandates imposed on local taxpayers.

As a Farmingdale Board of Education trustee, I will do everything I can to make the state assume its rightful share of the funding of our public schools and lessen the tax burden on our residents. I ask for your support on May 15.

Joy Jorgensen