There are two incumbents running unopposed and two women vying for one available seat on the Island Trees Board of Education. The incumbents, President Kenneth Rochon and Trustee Robert Condela, are running unopposed. Incumbent and Vice President Patricia Mahon is being challenged by Kim McDonough. The positions are for a three-year term. The budget election and trustee vote will be held on Tuesday, May 20 from noon to 9 p.m. at Michael F. Stokes School in Island Trees. Visit www.islandtrees.org for more information. All candidates were asked a series of questions. Their answers appear in alphabetical order.

Longtime Levittowner Robert M. Condela, a married father of six, has served on the Island Trees Board of Education since 1987. Vice president of Credit Suisse, Condela has a bachelor of science and Juris Doctor from St. John's University.

In addition to currently serving as a board trustee, Condela served as president from 1992 to 1995 and 2004 to 2006, vice president of Island Trees Soccer Club from 1988 to 1999 and coach from 1985 to 1995.

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

Robert Condela: I would like to be re-elected to the Island Trees Board of Education so I can continue to help the district move forward to fulfill our goal of "Excellence and Success for All Students." During my years on the board the district has made great strides academically, financially and in the maintenance of our physical plant.

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

Condela: To continue offering a quality education and opportunities to all students while keeping taxes within the ability of people to pay.

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

Continue to work with all members of the Island Trees community including: parents, administrators, teachers, civil service employees to keep Island Trees a community where people want to and can afford to live and raise a family.

Levittowner Patricia Mahon is a mother of one and has been an educator for the past 30 years.

LT: Why are you seeking re-election to the board?

Patricia Mahon: I am running for re-election in order to continue the two-fold mission of this public office. We are charged with providing all children with the best educational opportunities while maintaining fiscal constraint.

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

Mahon: During these uncertain economic times, the district faces the same problems that you and your family face: increase in utilities, rising health care costs, need to maintain and repair facilities, increase in food service cost and many others. To initiate change in any social institution can be difficult at times. Many people feel comfortable with maintaining the status quo. However, my running mate, Ken Rochon and I have worked on some of these changes and hope to continue that progress.

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

Mahon: Keep taxes low, the last three years we have had the lowest rates in over a decade. This year it is 2.60 percent. Continue the curriculum mapping to meet N.Y.S. Standards. Provide more academic intervention services. Negotiate employee contracts. Expand upon shared services with neighboring school districts. Oversee the bond projects to improve our physical plant and facilities.

I believe that I am the right candidate for this job because my background as an educator helps me evaluate certain proposals before the board. To serve as a board member, you are given a legal mandate by the public. Over the past three years I have served on the majority of all the committees that are needed to have the board function both legally and effectively. I pledge to continue to serve in this office with the due diligence the public expects.

Kim McDonough: Kim McDonough of Levittown currently works as a part-time caterer, however prior to having children she worked as an accountant for 10 years. A married mother of two, McDonough serves as the current Stokes PTA president, an Island Trees Baseball board member and Island Trees Youth Football treasurer.

LT: Why are you seeking election to the board?

Kim McDonough: I am seeking election to the board of education so that I can be in a position that will enable me to make a difference in the academic lives of the students in the school district.

LT: What is the most important issue currently facing your school district? McDonough: School taxes and the safety of all children.

Levittown resident and current Board President Kenneth Rochon is a married father of four. He is past chief and 38-year member of the Levittown Fire Department and has served on the department's CPR /AED first aid training, department training, fundraising, bylaw, Memorial Day and Levittown Benevolent Association Trustee committees. Rochon was also an Island Trees Soccer coach, conducted the recent CPR/AED Certification Training for Island Trees Baseball and is American Red Cross First Aid and Safety Instructor.

LT: Why are you seeking election to the board?

Kenneth Rochon: Continue the progress that we have achieved over the last three years that I have been on the board.

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

Rochon: Continuing to maintain the quality of education for our students, while also being fiscally responsible by keeping the tax rate as low as possible. In my three years on the board we have had the lowest levy to levy increases in over 10 years - 2006/07 - 3.54 percent, 2007/08 - 2.65 percent and 2008/09 - 2.60 percent.

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

Rochon: We have to continue what we have started the last several years. Sharing services and combining bids with cooperative services, other districts and municipalities.