Massapequa School Board Candidate: Carl Hoops

Editors Note: Carl Hoops did not participate in our candidate video series. The quotes on issues that appear in this profile come from his participation in a May 4 candidate forum at Massapequa High School.

Carl Hoops is a candidate in the May 17 Massapequa School Board Election.

He has been a resident of Massapequa for 41 years and has a son and stepson in the district. He also has a stepdaughter who is an out of district special education student.

He is an emergency service specialist for the Long Island Power authority and has been an active PTA member. He has served on the Massapequa school district's buildings and grounds committee.

On his experience on the buildings and grounds committee:

"I saw a lavatory in disrepair with broken hand dryers. I was advised we didn't have the money to repair  and replace. With such exorbitant school taxes I had many concerns that the funds were not distributed appropriately, but yet, administrative funds have tripled over the last eight years."

On the district's use of reserve funds:

"The next three years, if the incumbents are voted on [to the board] there won't be much of a change, there's enough money in reserve funds, they'll be giving out double digit raises once again to administrators. I can guarantee that. So you need responsible people. Your taxes are going up. This[spending]  increase at 1.72 [percent] is misleading the community. They took money out of the reserves, money they've been taxing us over the last 12 years. So that's nothing to be proud of."

On whether he would cut programs: 

"I believe that all programs are essential as well as extracurricular activities and clubs, especially when there's a huge drug epidemic here on Long Island. It is vital to keep our students busy with activities. I'd love to cut in other areas. Not programs."

On low attendance at school board meetings:

"One of the reasons why they don't come is they'll give presentations that last two to three hours. By the time we get to speak, it's midnight and people have to work the next day...We need to show parents that they are the community."