There are two incumbents and one first-time challenger running for two available trustee positions on the Farmingdale Board of Education. The incumbents, Tina Diamond, current board trustee and a freight payables manager for a worldwide corporation, and Russ Catanzaro, current board trustee and a construction manager, are vying against Anthony Sagginario, an NYPD officer.

The positions are for a three-year term and are at large. The budget election and trustee vote will be held on Tuesday, May 15 from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. at the Howitt Middle School East Gymnasium. Proposition 2 on the ballot is the proposed capital projects initiative to replace the remaining four original boiler systems in the district using New York State's one-time only offer of $2,040,368 in EXCEL Aid.

All candidates were asked a series of questions. Their answers are as follows:

Farmingdale Observer: Why are you seeking (re)election to the board?

Tina Diamond: It's important that the school board be an integral part of the local and educational community. My involvement in Farmingdale clubs and organizations keeps me near to the public, listening to what they will support in their districts' schools. This involvement also helps me to educate the public regarding school board information. My involvement in Nassau-Suffolk & New York State School Board Association keeps me in front of the legislature and collaborating with other school boards to compare notes, share thoughts and create new strategies which will help to support the educational process at home.

Russ Catanzaro: To continue to maintain and improve the programs that have been initiated while I have been on the board. Improving the learning environment, providing programs while keeping a very careful eye on the tax ramifications. I want to make sure the trend of lower taxes, while providing the best education possible, continues. The tax rate has almost been cut in half since I became a board member and I want to maintain that trend.

Anthony Sagginario: I believe a real change is needed and that the present board does not seem to show real concern for all members of the community, senior citizens and like.

FO: What is the most important issue currently facing your district?

Diamond: Within the last five years, Farmingdale Board of Education/administrators/staff/ have painstakingly held down education costs at the expense of curriculum and staff cuts. With the ultimate goal of maintaining an affordable, comprehensive education here in Farmingdale whereby all students have opportunities for achievement, we cannot allow supplemental education services, student safety and maintenance of current building and field additions be shortchanged by funds and staff.

Catanzaro: We have to continue to do what's necessary to provide the best learning environment for the students and teachers. We have to make sure the right people at all levels are in place. I think the selection of the next high school principal is a very important decision that I want to be actively part of.

Sagginario: Stabilizing taxes and school security throughout the district and especially at the high school.

FO: If (re)elected what ideas/suggestions do you have on how to bring about any necessary changes to the district?

Diamond: The district must continue to find revenue sources through lobbying efforts of state and federal legislators for education aid, finding money in grant funding for educational programs and implementing self-sustaining programs in the school system wherever possible. Increased funding decreases cuts in the budget - good for kids, good for schools and good for the community.

Catanzaro: We need to work with the school board, administration, teachers and the community to continue what the current board has accomplished and now go to the next level to make further improvements while realizing that the affordability to the residents is crucial. We need to carefully evaluate the needs, the costs and the tax ramifications.

Sagginario: By trying to stabilize taxes by finding unnecessary spending and removing it. Also by diverting unnecessary spending on some projects and putting that money to more important areas such as in the classroom or to safety issues in the schools. Ex: Replacing the mats around the playground so our children do not injure themselves, I would also change the security in the school district making it a safer environment for our students, faculty and the community by overhauling the current security program throughout the district.

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Farmingdale resident Tina Diamond, 53, has served on the board for seven years. She and her husband, Robert, have a son who graduated from Farmingdale High School in 2003. She is a member of the following community organizations: Nassau-Suffolk School Board Association (executive board member), Farmingdale Lobby Committee, Farmingdale Breakfast Rotary (president, secretary and vice president), Farmingdale PTA (Woodward Parkway PTA co-president, Farmingdale High School PTA president and PTA Council president), Farmingdale Community Summit (development committee chair) and Farmingdale Cope Committee.

Lifelong Farmingdale resident Russ Catanzaro, 56, has been a board member for the past three years. He and his wife, Bernadette, have six sons. Catanzaro has served as president for the Farmingdale Police Activity League, on the Facilities Advisory Committee, PTA and as a coach for Farmingdale Baseball League.

South Farmingdale resident Anthony Sagginario, 52, is a widower with four children, two of whom have already graduated Farmingdale High School. He is a 3rd Degree Knight at the Farmingdale Knights of Columbus.