On Tuesday, May 15, residents of the Mineola School District will not only vote on whether to approve the proposed 2001-2002 school budget, but they will also vote on a candidate for school board.

This year, with one seat open on the Mineola Board of Education, there is a contested election. Board president John McGrath is running for re-election and is being challenged by Donna Strein. Both candidates have years of experience attending board of education meetings and serving on PTAs. Here is a look at the candidates:

(Mrs. Strein submitted the following letter in announcing her candidacy)

I would like to announce my candidacy for the Mineola Board of Education. My family and I have been residents of this district for the last 21 years. Two of my three children currently attend the Mineola Schools and the oldest is a graduate of Mineola High School and is now attending college.

As community members, we are faced with the challenge of educating our children, and in order to meet this task, we need a voice that is strong and knowledgeable, a voice that is willing to be open to comments and suggestions. My professional background as an accountant, my PTA experience with budgets and my 12 years of regularly attending monthly board of education meetings, participation in various district-wide committees (Strategic Planning, Space Utilization, the Administrative Hiring Process and Shared Decision Making), my PTA legislative background and various PTA board positions I have held, including president, has contributed to my understanding of the working of this school district.

I am proud of this district. My interest and enthusiasm for the students and programs in the district has never been stronger.

I have also been involved in various community organizations such as Cub Scout Pack 246, the Friends and Neighbors Club, Mineola Athletic Association, St. Aidan's Religious Education and the Mineola Civic Association. I am a strong, knowledgeable and vocal advocate for all children and my record of involvement proves that. For this reason, I ask your support on May 15.

During a meet the candidates night, Mrs. Strein said she is comfortable talking about any issue related to the school district. She said she would be available to anyone who may have any question or unresolved issue.

Mrs. Strein said she is concerned with all the children in the district and has never hesitated to speak out if she felt an improvement could be made.

With the passing of the bond referendum last year, Mrs. Strein said she is concerned with the construction of the Willis Avenue School and making sure the project is done correctly with adequate parking for the new school.

Mrs. Strein said she would also work to ensure that the district's children are able to learn in a safe environment. In addition, she said the best thing she can bring to the board is an understanding of the school district and a willingness to listen to the concerns of those associated with it.

John McGrath has been a resident in the district for 14 years. He has a daughter who currently attends Mineola Middle School as well as a daughter who graduated from Mineola High School.

Mr. McGrath has a Juris Doctorate degree and his professional experience includes 13 years in labor relations. He currently operates a private law practice in which he specializes in employment, family and education law.

In addition to serving on the Mineola Board of Education, Mr. McGrath has also served on numerous committees including the long range planning, budget advisory, AIDS advisory and health committees. He has also served as the recording secretary for the Meadow Drive PTA, treasurer for the Mineola High School PTSA and co-president of Mineola SEPTA. Mr. McGrath also served as a trustee on the board of directors for Mineola Youth and Family Services.

Mr. McGrath said he would like to continue to serve on a board of education whose goals is to educate children to prosper in the 21st century. He believes the goal of the district's curriculum should be to integrate current, state of the art, technology with current curriculum that meets and exceeds standards set forth by the Board of Regents and the State Education Department.

The Essential Curriculum Project, initiated in my first year of office, is designed to do that, Mr. McGrath said. The project will integrate content, process skills, and technology, fundamentally changing the way students are taught in a classroom.

In addition to meeting academic standards, Mr. McGrath said he is also concerned with empowering the students in the school district to resolve conflicts without resorting to violent solutions. He is also in favor of having more social workers in the schools.

He is also concerned with health issues, saying that the district must be more proactive in teaching children about health issues that affect quality of life.

Mr. McGrath said he would like to continue the work he has begun on the board. Since he was a part of the board when the bond referendum passed, he said he would like to see through the bond's initiatives, including the construction of the new Willis Avenue Building, and the upgrade of computers and technology in the district.

Mr. McGrath said the main responsibility of all involved in the district is to provide education to the students. He said he is in favor of giving parents a reason to get involved in the schools.