For the second straight year, the Mineola Board of Education will have a different look. Last year, Donna Strein defeated then board president John McGrath to join the board and this year, Mary Ellen Williams defeated board president Dennis Mortensen as well as challenger Vivian Rose.

Williams joins a board that includes RoseAnn Buglione, who was re-elected after defeating challenger Rose Scott by a 934 to 393 margin, Gia Lynn Hall, Strein and Steve Siwinski.

Williams, who collected 808 votes compared to Mortensen's 477 and Rose's 256, will become Mineola's newest board member. A resident of Williston Park since 1986, Mary Ellen Williams has been extremely active in the Mineola School District, most recently serving as the Interschool Council of PTA president.

Buglione, who has served on the board for the past nine years, will continue for at least the next three. The passing of a plan that includes the district's mission, core values, strategic objectives, and delimiters has Buglione excited about continuing her service.

For Mortensen, his tenure on the board will come to an end. A longtime resident of Mineola and graduate of the Mineola Schools himself, Mortensen served as board of education president for the past year, during which the district's multi-year plan was developed and past. He also served as the board of education vice president when a successful bond referendum was passed to update technology and build a new school on Willis Avenue.