B-BP BOE Candidate Race: Incumbent Trustee Leonard Camarda

With school budget votes and board elections happening Tuesday, May 21 Patch offers up insight on the four candidates running for Bayport-Blue Point Board of Education.

There is just one contested race this year. Longtime incumbent and Board President James March is being challenged by Blue Point resident Mike Miller, who's making his second bid for election.

The other two candidates are incumbent trustee Leonard Camarda, who is uncontested for his seat, and newcomer Anthony Sanseviro who will be taking the seat of trustee Molly Licalzi who chose not to see re-election this year.

Patch asked each candidates the same questions to provide readers and voters insight on their background, reasons for running and what they hope to accomplish.

Full Name:  Leonard “Lenny” Camarda

Age: 56  

Resident of which town: I have resided in Blue Point for 42 years  

Ages of any children:  Martina, 24 yrs; Alexandra, 20 years.
 
Do your children attend the public district or a private school?
Graduated BBP 2007 & 2011  

Are you a registered member of a political party?  Republican/ Indep. 

Have you run for any other office, school board or otherwise? 
Just BBP School Board  

Occupation and for how long:
Eight years Suffolk County caseworker, previous Pepsi bottling Ventures. Route salesman,  Manager, then owner of a route when franchised in 1990.    

How many terms have you served as of April, 2013? 
Four terms, this is the fifth, four were unopposed. 

What is the top change you’ve seen in district oversight or management during your years as a trustee or the biggest challenge change for BOEs (excluding the tax issue or tax cap)?

Two bonds to completion, both under budget; first bond; the auditorium, second bond, enhancements and upgrades to every building in the district. Total technological advancements such as Smart Boards in classrooms. Support of athletics and music. The hiring of two progressive superintendents.   

Why are you running or seeking re-election?
First would be working with a fairly new board and superintendent with exciting new ideas. I would also focus on budgetary issues with the support of my colleagues and the Assistant Superintendent of Finance and Superintendent. I would also include analysis of the Budget Advisory committee on continuing basis. I would also prioritize maintaining programs such as, co- teaching, LEAP while enhancing support to develop programs such as STEM and Gifted and Talented program development throughout all grades. Every student is important! 

How do you define the role of a school board trustee?

I  define this role as one trustee working with six others and the Superintendent continually developing a sound school policy and voting on responsible school spending. While creating the best balance between student progress, and a due diligence to all the taxpayers of our community. 

What is the top issue or concern you want to solve as a trustee in the upcoming school year (2013-2014)?

School budgets, employee contacts are expiring or have expired. Questioning vendor services such as; legal, accounting services and BOCES.    

Are you in favor of the state tax levy cap?

Yes, it sets a fair bar for the tax payers before the cap. Boards would weigh cuts try to come up with a percentage their community would approve. The cap makes the final budgets more credible and also helps school board members play a stronger role in developing the budget. I also feel caps should be implemented in other places such as when employees  leave one district for another.

Why should residents vote you onto the school board? 

In the 12 years I have been on the school board I have been a strong advocate for significant change the way NYS funds education as it is not sustainable. I would hope I would be able to sell that change by persuading my colleagues to think out of the box to support change here at Bayport-Bluepoint and that may be seen by other districts as unorthodox and create a chain effect embracing change. Change does not come easy it takes years of road blocks but if one hangs in there they can begin to find listeners and begin to persuade.