For a district that has experienced some difficult Meet the Candidates nights in the past, it is easy to say that this one was a success. As someone said, it was very civil. The four candidates, incumbents Lou Kaplan and Bev Zembko and challengers Matthew Meng and Dr. John Palladino all appeared comfortable with the forum.

The newest board member, Dr. Jack Lin said afterwards that sometimes when being asked a question, their answers lost focus. But, he said, "They all got some points through. They all did a good job and it's not an easy job. Sitting and listening, I felt better." He was in the "hot seat" last year.

Phyllis Chen's evaluation was that they all did a pretty good job, even if you didn't agree with all the responses. She wished there was more time to debate some of the answers.

"It was very stimulating. The candidates'' differences were brought out. The next step is to evaluate them," she said.

John Specce suggested that next year the League of Women Voters change the format and allow one question to be asked of all the candidates and allow them to rebut for one minute each. "It livens it up. There should be questions everyone can answer, not to single out one person. The best thing for next year is generic questions submitted ahead of time," he said.

Arthur Tufts called it "A good show, informative and some of the questions were good. The best thing was that the incumbents said they would appropriate the Bernimgham money to Roosevelt - now they said it," he added.

When asked if he would spend it on programs as Dr. Palladino suggested, he said - "how do you tell."

League of Women Voter's member Barbara Josephard of Syosset gave the guidelines and speaking order for the opening statements. She said it wasn't a debate situation but a time to meet the candidates.

Lou Kaplan, board president, talked of his community service with the boys scouts and involvement with the school district. He brings to the board experience in the interviewing process for the position of superintendent of schools; knowledge of overcrowding; long range planning and the current building project. He mentioned the high number of regents diplomas; greater school population and higher property values. "We must be doing something right," he said.

Matthew Meng said he wants the best possible education for the students. He said the incumbents asked to be judged on the school's performance and asked "Are the majority of the district's children learning to the maximum?"

He questioned discipline in schools because of the suspension rate and asked if the education is worth $16,000. He said he will demand compliance with state standards and wants better public information.

Bev Zembko listed her many credits working with children in the district at St. Dominic's; the Cooperative Play school and past teaching experience. Answering some critical election issues, she said the suspension rate dropped this year, mostly due to a strict discipline policy. There is a new in-school suspension.

"Contrary to what you may have read in recent campaign fliers or letters to the editor OBEN students do succeed: However I am not nor will I ever be complacent - I seek constant improvements to build on the strengths we already have. "

John Palladino, has children in second and eleventh grade in the schools. Mediocre academic performance and student misbehavior were his themes. He quoted a letter saying Cold Spring Harbor, Jericho and Syosset were better school districts. But, he said the district is at a turning point. He gave his professional background of 30 years, saying the board needs an educator of his experience on it.

Much of it was in teaching educators and curriculum development. He said the new superintendent is a key component in the new district and said he should be able to do a needs assessment for the district.

QUESTIONS: Bernice Sachs asked Dr. Paladino to tell more of what he felt the new superintendent should be.

Dr. Palladino referred to his newsletter in which he said there was no assistant superintendent for curriculum. The new superintendent should know about curriculum development, he said and that districts that have such a person, improve.

Matthew Meng agreed the superintendent must understand curriculum development to follow the new learning standards being set by the state. "There is a heck of a lot of potential in this district." He asked that the board not chose the new superintendent until the new board is elected.

Bev Zembko agreed with them. She mentioned those goals were suggested by the board and the residents in speaking to the search firm. A motivator is needed too.

She said for the last four years there has been attention to curriculum development from Dr. Frank Banta, the principals and supervisors. "There is a hierarchy of people that report to the superintendent, and give direction and worthy ideas." She mentioned recent curriculum additions. (They are listed in the letters to the editor.)

Lou Kaplan agreed with Ms. Zembko and added that bringing in a superintendent of curriculum would add cost to the district. He also commented on Mr. Meng's wish to have a say in the choice of new superintendent saying the public will be involved at the next step of hiring the new administrator.

Nancy Schoenberg asked if pressing for higher learning skills didn't conflict with budgetary constraints.

Matthew Meng said once on the board he would get a better idea of how to redirect resources. He said programs need evaluating and cited the special education parents who he said aren't satisfied.

Lou Kaplan said he has been involved with the budget for the past six times and two of the past three have had the lowest increases in the past 10 years. They have been using the fund balance (surplus) to reduce costs; such as to do the repairs the district needs, cutting costs in the budget, and still spending money on curriculum development.

Dr. Palladino said the district pays high salaries but doesn't have a process of supervision. He said he asked for remediation reports for teachers that would define the needs for a staff development program.

He said since one-third of the graduating class are not able to get into colleges, there is a problem with instruction.

Bev Zembko said the biggest challenge at budget time is to balance what you consider to be sound educational programs within a reasonable budget that the community will support, so you always have to look to ways to consolidate to save money. Recently, they joined a cooperative bidding process to save money.

But, she said she wanted to respond to the issue of students going on to college. It's a very personal choice, she said.

"Our students go to colleges that meet their personal needs. The Valedictorian is going to Yale and the Salutatorian is going to Princeton. Some students, including her daughter, chose NCC, for their first two years of college - it has a fine program. Her daughter is currently attending C.W. Post.

Joan Abbatte asked about the move of the seventh and eighth grade to the high school.

Mr. Kaplan said it took quite a while for some of the board to agree to send the seventh and eighth grades to the high school. They agreed when they saw that things would be done correctly. There is a transition committee of 15 to 20 members working on the move. The board, he said, are asking for as much parental input as possible to make the move in 1999 as smooth as possible.

Dr. Palladino said he was concerned about the move because the high school philosophy of education is content centeredness but the middle school functions with the attitude of student centeredness - which he said, could be a problem. The middle school is no longer a middle school he said, but at 3-6, an intermediate school. The Roosevelt School will be an Early Childhood center, "These are very sizable issues," he said.

Beverly Zembko said the district has established transition committees with parents, teachers and administrators all participating. The seventh and eighth grades will all be on one floor at the high school and their teachers will make the move to the high school with them, "So we will take the best of the middle school program and move this with them."

She said the 7-12 configuration works well in neighboring Cold Spring Harbor and the district will talk to them about their concepts. There will be an Upper Elementary Intermediate at Vernon and that there may be some changes there in the sixth grade.

The best thing is, the district will now have space at all the grades levels, she said.

Mr. Meng said that although he comes from a family of educators, he is not one himself. He said he didn't know what the best of the middle school concept was and as a board member, he didn't need to know. "What I do need to know is how to get the answers and how to implement them," he said. He complimented Mr. Palladino's focus. He brought up the issue of discipline and brought up the fact that 28 percent of children don't attend the local public schools, a theme he mentioned later.

Rick Apicello asked what program changes, if any, would they make to ensure that all of our students meet the new state standards both minimally and with distinction.

Ms. Zembko said with the new Regents standards at the high school we have to look at how the rest of the curriculum feeds into the high school students performance. There is a trickle down effect, she said. The standards from Albany will change the high school curriculum and that will mean changes in the middle school and elementary school too. "It's such a big question and I have so much to say about it, I'll just say we have to align the curriculum."

Mr. Meng said it has to start with the superintendent and said he is glad the board is looking for a new person. He was critical of the district for not setting their own higher standards already. He said, "It's a state of emergency at this point in time."

Mr. Kaplan said "I hate that last remark 'state of emergency' and 'mediocre school district' is what I have been reading in the newspapers and it just bothers me." He said he was very committed to the higher standards but realized there was a problem in saying that ALL of the children will have to pass five Regents to receive a Regents diploma. He said the state will have to have some flexibility concerning some of the children at risk, who may not be able to pass all the five Regents. There are time limits on 9-year-olds being tested in language arts, "What kind of stress and pressure will be put on those kids," he asked. The math and science tests are not available yet so the board doesn't know what the standards will be.

"Why is the fifth grade social studies test going to be given in November just 10 weeks after the fifth graders start being fifth graders. That doesn't make much sense to me."

At the high school level, why is the state asking all the LEP students to pass the English regents. He said the state is acting in a rush without having thought out all the issues. They have to slow down and re-evaluate what they are doing, he said.

Dr. Pallidino said, you need to identify students at risk. He said the district should include language enrichment classes. Also, he was critical of having 28 credits required for graduation from the high school.

Arthur Tufts asked what they would do with the money from the sale of the Bermingham School.

Mr. Meng said he would like to see the Bermingham School preserved as playing fields since enrollment has increased. He said he didn't think the general public is aware that the property is not sold as yet.

Mrs. Zembko said there is a signed contract although it has taken three years for it to come to fruition, but it will by the summer. She said the board has discussed using the money to replace the aging portables at the Roosevelt School and to enlarge their library. It is truly undersized, she said. That is not finalized, it will be up to the then board to decide, she added.

Dr. Palladino said with that money this could be a program rich district with courses for the gifted and talented children; a program of philosophy for children and offer staff development. He said 28 percent of the faculty is probationary. They can work for five years, get tenure and continue in mediocrity, he said. He would use that money to develop a mentor program for those teachers.

He said 17 percent of students did not get into college but went into the workforce. He wants them to be shown what kinds of careers they can get into.

Mr. Kaplan recalled the story of the Bermingham sale. When St. Dominic's gets its fields, this district will have all the fields it needs, he said. The Bermingham funds he said will go the Roosevelt School.

Peg Bellavia asked Mr. Palladino, with his varied work background was he ready for the long time commitment of board membership - four years.

Mr. Palladino said his different positions were all in the field of education and counseling - for over 30 years.

Mr. Kaplan listed his credits of longevity including a 22-year marriage, five years with the Scouts, 15 years at his family businesses and with the board for about eight years, and two years with shared decision making.

Mr. Meng started with meeting his wife when she was 14 and he 15, in 1967, and married in 1974 - married 23 years and had two jobs, the last one for 17 years.

Mrs. Zembko, married for 26 years, mentioned her credits which includes eight years at St. Dominic's family Mass; Eucharistic minister for six years; teaching religious education for 10 years; 10 years at the Oyster Bay Coop, and more, including being a writer and a teacher of English.

Sandy Curcuru asked if they support the introduction of language for the fifth and sixth grades.

All said they did. Mrs. Zembko said it will allow the students to make an informed choice of language. Dr. Palladino said the program was a success for the site-based team.

Mr. Charles Gaulkin asked what is a board member's responsibility: to respond to the superintendent's information to take a more dynamic approach in responding to the state's higher standards.

Ms. Zembko said while they look to the superintendent for direction on issues of curriculum that the board's goals over the last four years have been toward greater rigor. She listed the items which included stress on homework, written reports, better presentation, more graduation requirements, more Regents diplomas, better attendance, making more than 85 percent at scores, and integrating computer skills in the work and increased staff development.

Mr. Kaplan said the state has been changing their minds about the standards. Additionally, he commented that state law says there is a separation of power between the board and the superintendent. The board is to set the policy, hire a qualified staff and to maintain the assets of the district. The administrative staff are the experts in the academic area.

Mr. Meng asked what policies the school board has already set. He called the 28 credits at the high school a hollow goal. He said "We can't wait for the state. We have to take it upon ourselves."

Dr. Palladino was critical of the district with a $22 million budget, spending $16,000 per student and only three more students that have passed the Regents than last year. He said "With all the talk of higher expectations that was an incredible indictment against this board."

An East Norwich woman asked if the OBEN district has the worst reputation in the area - and if they do, what is the single most important thing to do to make that change.

Mr. Meng said the district is surrounded by wonderful school districts and to answer the first he said there is a sign advertising property proudly saying it is in the Syosset School District.

He said experts say the thing to check in a district is the percentage of students in 12th grade who pass English Regents exams. OBEN students passed at the 85.5 percent level, which he called minimal. The surrounding school districts, he said, are interested in mastery levels, an issue he supports.

Mr. Palladino was critical with the other districts this high school is compared with and offered a short list. He said there are significant problems in teaching, curriculum and administration in this district.

Ms. Zembko said that three more students passing the Regents demonstrates the effect the small numbers of students in this district has, affects the statistics tremendously.

She said 39 percent passed the Regents in 1993 and 62 percent passed the Regents in 1997. The percentages tell the number story better than the numerical method does in this case.

She disagreed with the comparison list Dr. Palladino used and questioned where his was from, offering another list that put the district in a better rated group. She listed the high grades earned by students in the recent Regents exams including Spanish and French at 100 percent. "This is a district that gets a very bad rap," she said.

"We have great scores. I think what hurts us is when we have people criticizing and giving out misinformation to the public stating that these are facts when in fact they are not," said Ms. Zembko.

Mr. Kaplan said the district is still getting a bad rap from the time it was on double sessions.

He said the per pupil costs includes spending over $1 million per year on private and parochial school transportation, books and health insurance.

There is a large contingent of Special Ed students that take about $2 million, he said. On the positive side, he said, the district is handicap accessible, the student population is increasing and homes are selling at all time highs in the area. "I don't believe the reputation we have. We are only going upwards."

Chris Dillmann said she was from Taiwan where the school standards are very high. She said if you set your standards high, you don't have to worry about the state. She said she didn't know if her children would be as successful as they could be going to this district.

Mr. Kaplan said he has visited Taiwan. He said we can't educate the way education is run in that country. He said they had a discussion with Dr. Lin who told them teachers and administrators there would not put up with the problems we have here. But we can't do what some people would like, he said. That may be why 28 percent of the students don't come here.

He said those parents of students going out of district, should visit the classrooms and see how well the schools are doing.

Mr. Meng said the school budget is going up 4.9 percent and said if you take out the special Ed costs, that improves the figures, but that they are in reality, the district children. He said many students leave after eighth grade.

In the past 11 years special ed has gone up 328 percent. The enrollment has gone from 10 percent to 11.1 percent. He said the district is not using the money wisely.

Mr. Palladino said the state is stepping in with higher standards because districts have failed to do the job.

Mrs. Zembko said the district is good. She advised residents to visit the schools and to look at the district figures, that they are good, and still she said that there is always room for improvement and we are always improving them.

Mrs. Tammy Ashley asked Mr. Meng and Dr. Palladino how they would work with the teachers and administrators after being so critical of them.

Mr. Meng said he looks forward to hearing their views of the strengths and weakness of the schools. He wants to make a change, as a group effort. He said he thought the teachers are looking forward to a new superintendent. "I want to get more of the public back into public education: getting more people involved in what is their responsibility."

Mr. Kaplan said it has been interesting listening to other board members, parents and public's opinions. He asked more people to get involved.

Mrs. Zembko said she has a very good relationship with the school staff. She said when you are positive, you get more accomplished.

Dr. Palladino said he was not being negative to the teachers or the administrators, his objective was to improve the teacher's performance.

Regina Criscuola said the 28 credits for graduation was a great idea. She asked what the others thought.

Mr. Palladino said instead, there should be more electives to choose from.

Ms. Zembko said students belong in classrooms and not in study halls, the reason for the change. They need to be in classrooms now, she said, to pass the Regents.

Mr. Kaplan said the decision for the 28 credits is not set in stone. At the present time, most graduates took over 30 credits, therefore they are not having a problem to make the 28 credits. There may be some problems, but that needs to be proved.

Mr. Meng said the 28 credits has no significance if what they are learning is not in-depth. He said the district just "jumped into" an in-house suspension program for $2,080. He was critical of the decision and said it was without goals. He said the district did not have a list of offenses and penalties, and called that shallow.

As the meeting ended, Assistant Principal Frank Imperiale added a booklet of student's behavior expectations to the public information table, which included a disciplinary list. Locust Valley used the OBEN booklet for their district policy.

The candidates then gave their ending talks.

Mr. Palladino related a teaching lesson with an Asian student and how she approached a lesson. She taught him to raise his expectations of what a student could do. She presently is a Spanish teacher. He was her inspiration.

Mrs. Zembko responded to the comments on colleges. She said another reason why they raised the number of graduation credits to 28, was to help students get into more competitive schools.

She said, "Bashing is not the right way to effect positive change. Trying to do the superintendent's job is not the way to affect positive change. Acting responsibly in a collaborative atmosphere is. Asking the right questions when material is presented and recommendations are made is what an effective trustee is supposed to do."

Mr. Meng said he aims for distinction, that he seeks perfection in whatever he does, be it gardening or making lasagna. "If I walk into a room, I see if there is a piece of lint somewhere, that's my problem. That's not to condemn, and I'm working on it." He is taking that attitude toward education. If that is bashing, he said, "I'm very proud to wear that label."

He said the district should set our own standards. "I am realistic and optimistic."

He said you have two opportunities to make a change. "If you want more, send a mandated message."

Mr. Kaplan said he has a proven record of success; six years of experience; knowledge of long range planing; is a known independent thinker with the interests of all the community;and success in chairing the board. "Your board of education works well together. Each member brings his or her own expertise and vision to every meeting and is not afraid to speak their mind. That is the way it should be."