Only one of three incumbent school board candidates survived election day contests held earlier this week. Nancy Callari won a third term on the board as first-time candidates, Rose Walker and Diana D'Antuono-DePalma, defeated incumbents, Robert Pavacic and Mary E. Carton.

The three winners had announced their candidacy together in mid-April and had campaigned they would be a unifying force on a board that has been splintered in recent years.

"I am elated to be working with people who I have known and have worked side by side with for years. . . . We do not need to worry about learning each other's personalities," said Diana D'Antuono-DePalma the day after the election. "We are going to go in, roll up our sleeves and start working right away in the business of educating our children."

Each of the candidates expressed enthusiasm in bringing a sense of cohesiveness to the board, something they cite has been missing for years now.

"We do work real well together. We all respect each other's opinion because we don't always agree on everything but we do respect one another," said Walker. "Together we bring a very good working relationship to the board and hopefully the rest of the board will feel the same and the seven of us will work well together."

D'Antuono-DePalma stated, "I just want harmony on the board and that is what I kept hearing, . . . people were saying, 'finally we can get down to the business of educating our children and stop the bickering.'

The three women, who were often referred to as the "dream team" by supporters, had compiled years of service in working through the various ranks of the Parent Teachers Association in Hicksville. Each boasted of at least 16 years of service to the schools through their PTA activities.

Their PTA connection was a persistent criticism throughout the campaign as supporters of their opponents cited that the board would become an extension of PTA interests and not look objectively at the issues confronting the district. Those assertions were rebuffed by the each of the winning candidates.

"I was thankful to the public for having the confidence in giving me a third term," said Callari. "I do vote my conscience for the children of Hicksville as well as the taxpayers. I do not come with any hidden agenda."

She continued, "We ran as a team but we are individuals and we have respect for each other's opinion and the right to disagree without confrontation from that disagreement," said Callari. "That is the whole key to working together. I look at the board right now and it is not a PTA board by any means. It is seven individuals."

Now that the campaigning is over, the candidates are looking forward to focusing their energies on the business of the board.

"A lot of time and energy goes just into the campaign. It is nice to think that that aspect is over and now we can spend a lot of time and energy on getting ready to sit on the board," said Walker.

D'Antuono-DePalma added, "I am looking forward to giving our children the best education in the most cost effective way that we can. So they can come through the Hicksville school system knowing that they received the best and with that they can conquer the world."

"The most important thing is that we have a school budget," said Callari. "We are going to work together and we are going forward and that is what it is all about, progress,"