Tuesday, May 20 is school board election day in New York State. Oyster Bay-East Norwich School District members are being asked to vote for a $45,700,036 budget for the 2008-2009 school year. The total tax levy minus state aid, revenue and the appropriated fund balance has reduced the figure to $42,215,072.

The total increase in the tax levy is 4.7 percent.

Voters will also be asked to give their permission for the board to access funds they have reserved for capital improvements. They need "an amount not to exceed $280,000" to repair the track at the Vernon School; they need an amount "not to exceed $500,000" to replace 72 original windows at the Oyster Bay High School; and to purchase bleachers for the athletic program for no more than $21,291. All the funds exist in the district's current funds and will not cost the taxpayers any additional money. If the funds did not already exist and needed to be gotten through a bond issue, there would be a cost for interest.

The voters will also be asked to vote for the sum of $1,707,883 for the operation of the OB-EN Public Library, after first deducting money from estimated receipts, state aid and other sources.

Voting will take place at the Oyster Bay High School from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. in the gymnasium lobby.

Robin Dando Runs for Board Unopposed

Robin Dando, vice president of the Oyster Bay-East Norwich Board of Education is running unopposed for her fourth term of office. Ms. Dando was first elected to the board in 1996. She was appointed in 1995 to replace Herb Mitchell who resigned from the board.

When asked why she is serving again, she said, "I really enjoy the challenges and I feel that there is more to be accomplished and I am willing to serve another four years."

She said there is a value to the district in her long service. "There is a history. There are a lot of new people on the board and I think my knowledge of the district is very valuable. It's good to know what happened in the past and I think that holds a value in moving forward."

Ms. Dando said, "One of the most important issues facing all districts today is finding a balance between the academic program and fiscal accountability. And I think the board has been working hard at slowing the growth of taxpayers dollars while looking to maintain a strong academic program."

She said, "Our goal this year in the budget process was to maintain our programs and keep the budget increase to a minimum. We were successful in bringing in a successful 3.3 percent budget increase - without including the increase in debt service - another 1.4 percent. That number, 4.7 percent is less than our Contingency number.

"If the budget is defeated, it will in essence, cost the taxpayers more money," she said.

Ms. Dando said she has learned a tremendous amount over the last 13 years. "It seems simple to arrive at answers but that is never the case. There are many facets that have to be explored and we are guarded by so many mandates that we have to take everything into account. No decision is easy.

"Knowing the facts is the only way to arrive at an answer. There is no personal agenda involved - the goal is to make the decision that is best for the entire district."

Ms. Dando said the district has changed over the years. "Teaching practices have improved tremendously because of professional development that is supported by the board of education; and the addition of technology to the classrooms with the use of SmartBoards, Elmos and digital cameras. The children of today need to be up to date with all the new technology in order to be successful members of their generation. Additionally, we are trying to be sure to reach all types of learners and encouraging all of them to be successful," she said.

Both of her children have graduated from the Oyster Bay-East Norwich School District. "One is a freshmen at the University of Delaware, that's Ali; and one is teaching in Maryland, that's Jayme. She went to the same school," she said.

Ms. Dando has her masters in education and understands the importance of a well-balanced education. She is currently working in her family business, Canner's of Glen Cove.

Ms. Dando is very community minded and is taking on, for the second year, being the co-chair for Relay For Life, which is a community event to raise money to fight cancer. "This year we plan to use the Roosevelt school as our location on June 6. If anyone is interested in being part of the Relay For Life, please go to our website on OBEN Schools.org. Please join a team and be part of this wonderful event.

"The district hosts the event and it is important for the community to be involved because cancer touches every family and the goal is to one day rid it from all our lives," she said.