Write-in Candidate Profile Christine Lupetin Perrino

• Write-in Candidate: Christine Lupetin Perrino; Challenging incubent.
• Profession: Fashion Merchandising and desogning
• Other: Perrino is the former president of the Massapequa School Board and served on the Board of Education from 2002-2011. She is married and mother of three children, including two sons currently in Massapequa High School. 
  

Q1. Why are you running for the school board?


I was on the Board of Education from 2002 thru 2011. Back when I was first elected, our academic program was not serving ALL students well at all, there were no reserves, our credit standing was abysmal, our buildings were falling apart and we did not have the room for our then growing enrollment.  Many of our special education students were not being educated in district with their peers and our administrative areas lacked strong creative leaders.

Over the course of my leadership, with my fellow board members at those times, we built the diverse extensive educational program that is in place today.  This new program features: School Wide Enrichment, a full day Kindergarten program, a curriculum re-written to align with NYS standards across all grade levels and areas, an expanded AP/Scale program, returning our classified students to the district with expanded supports, an Eagle program for our Autistic students, a re-vamped middle school program, the introduction and expansion of technology in the classroom to address the 21st century skills our students needed to acquire to be competitive at the college and work levels, technology based reading and math programs for all learners, reparation of our buildings including expansion of Birch Lane, Ames and MHS to accommodate the increased student population at that time, a new cafeteria which includes a Cyber Cafe for students to utilize during their free periods, a build up of reserves for rainy day funds and to offset dramatic increases (such as those that we grapple with for pension expenses).

All these accomplishments were carried out in a very fiscally responsible manner.  These improvements cost money, and we were very fortunate that the community supported the changes that needed to be made.  All Nassau County districts needed to raise taxes to enhance their programs so that students would be well equipped to compete at the college and career levels.  Massapequa did it better than our neighboring districts, as proven by our tax rates being lower than the Nassau county average. 

I have seen first hand with my own children how a program as strong as this gave them that competitive edge in getting into better tiered universities and preparing them to get good jobs and benefits. I believe all children should have this opportunity and I want to protect the program I was instrumental in building during these trying economic times.

Q2. What are your primary qualifications that makes you (or would make you) an asset to the board and the community at large?

My primary qualification for the board is my extensive experience and the training I received while I was a Board Of Education trustee and president for 9 years.

Prior to being on the board, I enjoyed a career in sales and merchandising as part of New York City's fashion industry for 15 years before I had decided to devote my time to my family and community.  I was an active member of several of our PTAs, chaired numerous committees, both at the elementary and secondary level, and I also chaired the budget and curriculum committees at the PTA Council level.  

In addition, I was an integral part of the Young Peoples Cultural Arts Workshop of Massapequa for over 18 years, 10 years of which I was Co-President.  I would be remiss not to mention my experience as a mother of three wonderful children and the expertise one gains from parenting for 22 years. 

Q3. Although there are many, what do you see as the biggest issue confronting Massapequa schools?


By far, the biggest issue that is facing Massapequa and in fact all schools on Long Island is continuing to fund the wonderful programs that have been developed over the years with our community's support.  

It isn't hard sustaining the wonderful results we get from our students now that we have such a far reaching and well rounded program for ALL students.  Protecting our investment in it will be the challenge.   I will be committed to protecting the program that I was instrumental in building.  

We continue to face tough economic times with the spending cap in place, increased pension contributions that outpace that cap to begin with, and the ever increasing unfunded mandates that the State continues to barrage school districts with.

Q4. Standardized testing and unfunded mandates are hot-button issues: How would you work to address these issues?

There is no question that standardized testing has spiraled out of control.  Although I believe that some standardized testing is good to ensure that the student is making progress and concurs with the grades he/she are receiving in the classroom, our focus cannot and should not be centered around test after test.

Originally when assessments were introduced, there were Math and ELA exams at the 4th and 8th grade level.  There was also one Social Studies and Science exam in the elementary level.  Testing in all subjects every year from 3rd through 8th is sapping the focus of where education should lie.  

Teachers should not be pressured towards "teaching to the test".   They should be able to dedicate their time to explore the material in creative and thought provoking ways, instead of catering to how their students should take an exam. The time to make a stand against this is now!  These tests are an example of the un-funded mandates that the state infringes on school districts. To administer, grade and disseminate this information as the state dictates takes a tremendous amount of time and money!  Our taxpayers' money, that could be better served else where.  

Not only has the state saddled districts with all these mandates, but then they institute a cap on spending when expenses such as employee pension contributions are at an all time high.  It is irresponsible and irrational of our state representatives to do this to our children.  Massapequa needs to band together with other Long Island districts as well as other New York regions to demand changes that only Albany can make.  Many districts are passing resolutions to protest the burden of excessive testing and unfunded mandates.  I would would like to see Massapequa make a stand as well.

Q5. Do you support the proposed 2013-14 budget? Why or why not?

As a whole, I do support our budget.  It is a fiscally sound budget that continues to follow the long term financial plan that was put in place during my leadership.  Our enrollment is decreasing, and it was unfortunate that we lost many dedicated teachers due to this.  I would have preferred that the money that became available would have been used to return some sort of elementary summer program to our students that was cut.  I also am concerned about the decrease in funding towards our EAST program for children at the elementary level that are academically struggling.