On Tuesday, May 16, the annual Lawrence School District election will take place, with polls open from 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. Up for reelection this year is board president Murray Forman and board member and former president Dr. Asher Mansdorf.
Here on Long Island as well as in many communities around the world the nature and composition of the school board is what, for the most part, defines a community.
There are several important aspects of this year’s election that differentiates it from any of the previous elections over the last two decades. And more than anything else, the reality is that a high percentage of District 15 residents today did not live in these neighborhoods and communities when the big shift began back in 2000.
It is not a difficult or challenging problem that could not be solved by the new members of the community back then exercising the right to vote and create an administrative educational environment that was more reflective of the shifting demographic in the district.
Basically translated, that means that we were paying 70% of our residential real-estate taxes to fund education in the district while most of us sent our children to yeshivas with an escalated per child pay scale that is still very much today the largest financial burden on families.
While there is really nothing that can be done to change a tax policy, what can be done is to vote into office as district trustees people who can legislate in a legal and proper way a fair distribution of millions of dollars in education funds that treats all students in the district—whether in public or private schools—in an equitable fashion.
Today’s seven-member school board is dominated by right-thinking elected officials who have as their central priority the matter that all district students be treated equally. Two of the most notable personalities in this effort over all these years are up for reelection next week.
Murray Forman, the current board president, has led the effort to maintain this fair balance, and the proof is in the results and improvements on all levels of education being dispensed by the district and the increase in student accomplishments across the board. Forman is a brilliant tactician with a consistent eye on the results for district students as a top priority.
Dr. Asher Mansdorf is the second-longest-serving school board member (Dr. David Sussman is slightly ahead of him on that count) and has been there from the very beginning of the demographic shift. His approach to educational matters has always considered what will best serve all students, those in the public schools as well as those in the private schools.
Dr. Mansdorf endured several hard-fought elections in the early years when the district leaders thought it was standard operating procedure for an educational district to treat its private-school or, in this case, yeshiva students as second-class citizens. The proof of both Forman’s and Mansdorf’s success is that this year they are running with no opposition—not even the usual type of opposing candidates who are mostly rabble rousers and are really put up to run to see which way the political winds are blowing.
Still, however, it is very important that you go out to vote next week for several reasons. Considering that the candidates are running unopposed it is an encouraging gesture to make that effort to vote as an expression of appreciation. It’s important to have in mind that when you are casting your ballot, you are also, aside from voting, expressing your support for the battles that these two trustees in particular had to fight on our behalf over the last 20 years.
So vote next week and demonstrate that yeshiva students in the district—that is, your children—are being treated fairly and properly. When you are voting, be aware that the proposed budget of $102,850,379 (on which you should vote yes) is there to aid all the children of the district equitably.
It’s not enough that you are reading this and agreeing that this is indeed the case. That’s only half the job. The other half is voting for Forman and Mansdorf on May 16.
For those who live in the Hewlett-Woodmere School District 14, your voice is important as well. Cheryl May and Shari Amitrano are running unopposed. Consider that in past elections, the write-in option has delivered a message as well. Voters can vote regarding the proposed 2023-2024 budget of $135.17 million, a $4.4 million increase from the current budget. Though the administration condemns and immediately removes messages of hate that have been painted in the bathrooms as of late, a questionnaire including questions about racial differences and transgender people distributed to students, as well as a pro LGBTQ movie shown in class, has many parents stating, “Stop indoctrinating our kids.”
District 14 residents should make their voices heard on May 16 at the Woodmere Education Center, 1 Johnson Place.
Read more of Larry Gordon’s articles at 5TJT.com. Follow 5 Towns Jewish Times on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter for updates and live videos. Comments, questions, and suggestions are welcome at 5TJT.com and on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.
