Levittown Tribune (LT): Why are you seeking (re)election to the board?

Gina Interdonato: I feel I've given 100 percent to my job as a board of education trustee and will continue to work for the children and the Levittown community.

Roseanne Gullans: I feel as though I have just started my work as a school board member. Levittown School District is a very exciting, dynamic district. I want to be a part of the process of ensuring that the children of the Levittown school district get the best possible education. I have enjoyed working with administration, teachers, staff, parents, and other members of the community over the past three years to make decisions that are beneficial to all.

Dan Bornstein: I have been a member of the Citizens Budget Committee for the last six years. During that time, I have had the opportunity to review the district budgets. I believe a fresh perspective and new ideas can only have a positive impact for the community. My motivation in seeking a seat on the board is straightforward. The board and the district administration need to be held accountable to deliver quality education for every student while balancing the financial concerns and needs of the community. I believe that if elected, I will bring with me a fresh perspective and accountability.

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

Interdonato: Currently the most important issues facing the Levittown Public School District are taxes and continuing to receive our share of state aid.

Gullans: Taxes. The Levittown Board of Education has adopted an on-going five-year planning cycle for our budget. Looking ahead, we can predict what our costs will be and plan accordingly. I feel that the most important issue facing Levittown district is trying to maintain a fairly even tax increase while still improving the quality of education and maintaining our facilities.

Bornstein: Keeping the tax levy increases at an afordable level so that everyone in the community as well as young couples just starting out can continue to live in Levittown while at the same time making sure our children continue to get a well-rounded, quality education.

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

Interdonato: If re-elected, I would like to continue the process of auditing each department in the Levittown School District. The board of education started the auditing process with our special education department. We are currently looking into ways to save the district more money by implementing changes that can or may be made to the program. The district has not been able to complete a detailed analysis like this in quite some time. I would also like to utilize the Citizen's Advisory Committee for Budget throughout the year. The committee has had a very valuable input into this year's budget process. I believe both of these ideas will bring a significant decrease to the budget.

Gullans: No decisions or changes can be made by any one board member. The Levittown Board of Education has seven members and we must have a majority vote to enact any changes. Having said that I would like to state that I have always been a fair-minded person and I feel it is important to listen to what our community has to say. I am not opposed to change and will research and actively contribute to discussions that have any effect on the school district as a whole. Also, I believe that I need to work with our politicians to try to change the bias Albany has in awarding state aid to Long Island. I will continue to attend workshops offered by the New York State School Boards Association to better understand the issues that are common to all school districts. Having this information will help me make informed decisions.

Bornstein: The district is currently in sound financial shape, and continues to make good progress educationally, year over year. Oversight and accountability are required to continue and improve the successes realized in our school district. I believe that I can help to provide that oversight and accountability to our district.

A 21-year Levittown resident, Gina Interdonato, 52, has served two terms on the Levittown Board of Education. She and husband, Fred have one daughter, Erica who graduated from Division Avenue High School in 2001. She has been involved with the following community organizations: Brownie Troop Leader (1989 - 1992), Northside Elementary School PTA president (1992 - 1995), Junior Girl Scout Leader (1992 - 1993), Junior Girl Scout Troop consultant (1992 - 1994), Excellence and Accountability Committee Northside (1991 - 1994), Wisdom Lane Middle School PTSA vice president (1995 - 1997), Excellence and Accountability Committee Wisdom Lane School, First Career Awareness speaker at Wisdom Lane Middle School (1991), District Blood Drive coordinator for PTSA Council, AIDS Education Committee Chair, Citizens Advisory Committees for Budget, Re-zoning, Division Avenue High School PTSA president (1999 - 2001), Started Spirit Squad - fundraising organization for Division Avenue cheerleaders (1999-2001), started Levittown Chapter of Dollars for Scholars (2000), president of Levittown Dollars for Scholars (2000-present) and Kiwanis Club member (2005 - present).

Wantagh resident Roseanne Gullans, 56, has been a member of the Levittown Board of Education for three years. She and her husband Carl have four children, three of whom have graduated from MacArthur High School and one who will graduate in June. She has been involved in the following community organizations: Forest City Community Association, Recording Secretary, Board of Directors (2004-2005) Social Committee Chairperson, (2001-2004) and a general member since 1980, president, Levittown Council of PTA (2001-2003), 1st Vice President, Lev Council of PTA (2000-2001), co-president, Salk/MacArthur PTSA (1999-2001), Co-President, Lee Road PTA (1995-1997), St. Frances de Chantal R. C. Church Ministry of Consolation (1995-present), Theodore Roosevelt Council, Boy Scouts of America Committee Member, pack leader and coach.

Levittown resident Dan Bornstein, 46, and his wife Pam have three children currently in various Levittown Schools. He is PTA Co-President at Summit Lane and a member of Citizens Budget Committee.