While for some school districts, the debate rages on about implementing uniform codes, one of the issues surrounding this year's election for three seats on the Syosset Board of Education concerns a code of uniformity.

The three challengers seeking to seize board positions from Pat Maschio, Leonard Kirsch and Dr. Marc Herman are focusing on the fact that the incumbents, along with the remainder of the current board, have almost never dissented on a resolution. The upbeat would look upon this as a sign of a community in sync, while the cynical would look upon this as block voting. But Ronald Goldstein, Russell Slanover and Suresh Joshi see it, along with issues on busing, phonics and special education, as something to stress in their campaign, which culminates in the May 19 district vote. These three candidates, all acquaintances, are running with the purpose of shaking up that tradition.

In its simplest form, the question the challengers posed to the incumbents, as Goldstein phrased it, "Are they willing to vote 'No' [on an issue] if it's something no good?"

But the incumbents were puzzled over just what is "no good" about a board that gets along. "Should we not have all voted to upgrade our technology...to improve our facilities?" asked Kirsch before a crowd assembled for Know Your Candidates evening, held on Monday, May 4 in Syosset High School's little theater. He and Herman ¬ Maschio was unable to attend because of a medical emergency ¬ defended the Syosset board members' history of conformity, calling it an indication that they are on the same page.

Nevertheless, the three newcomers continued to highlight the uniformity theme throughout the meeting.

Goldstein said that nowhere was a dissenting voice needed more than when the board several months ago resolved to provide busing transportation to every student in the district ¬ a controversial policy which raises next year's transportation budget by $471,200. When that topic came up, it provided some of the most interesting commentary of the evening.

"As residents of this district, we should have been given the choice of a referendum," insisted Goldstein. The teacher and 12-year local resident predicted that many community members would rather have accepted a modified transportation plan, such as one which would provide busing to all K-2 students.

The adoption of the busing policy was likely one of the catalysts that prompted the trio of challengers to run, so it was no surprise that there was agreement among them. "I feel the same. It should be left to the taxpayers' discretion," said Joshi, a physician. Slanover, an attorney, added that the consensus he reached from speaking with local residents is that busing students who live only a few blocks away from their school, is a waste.

However, Herman and Kirsch held firm, pondering the price of safety. "The real issue here is not all-transportation busing. The real issue is the safety of the children," proclaimed Herman. "For me, it was a philosophical issue: health and safety for all children. If we didn't adopt this policy, and something happened to one of those students, I just couldn't have lived with myself."

The incumbents explained that there are four transportation options ¬ no exception, state guidelines, child safety zones and all-transportation. Under the safety zone policy, children living near a dangerous stretch of road or hazard would be bused regardless of proximity of the school. According to the board members, the all-transportation policy would cost exactly the same as the safety zone option.

Kirsch indicated that there are "major safety concerns" among the seven Syosset elementary schools, among them Willits ¬ which is located near the heavily traveled roads of the middle school ¬ Robbins Lane and Walt Whitman. "It's equitable, it's fair and it's safe," he asserted.

The other issue that inspired the most disparity was the debate between whole language versus phonics.

Goldstein, as an educator, continually stressed the importance of special education needs, and indicated that even more students may need outside help once the state officially adopts its tough state standards. He said that the implementation of phonics could dramatically improve the language skills of students. Under a phonics system, children learn the meaning of the roots that comprise words, and therefore learn the meaning of words. Under the current and more predominant "whole language" system, students learn the meaning of many words through the context of literature.

But one audience member's question illustrated that the Syosset school district students have scored very high on Regents and other tests, without phonics. Goldstein replied, "Just maybe, with the use of phonics, which is recommended by educators, our students would do better."

The incumbents, however, countered that the district already meets most of the new state standards, and so students have already benefited from a head start.

Furthermore, Kirsch adamantly emphasized that phonics has not been proven a better method, and that whole language is a proven method.

All five candidates maintained similar views on many other significant district issues. All five men envision state-of-the-art computer technology as a cornerstone of Syosset education, all are dissatisfied with the lack of state aid reaching Long Island schools and all believe that preparing students for the tougher state graduation standards is of utmost concern.

Herman said that among the most important roles the elected board trustees will face over their next three-year term is lobbying for more state aid, keeping up with technology and computers and "providing the best education possible that's fair to taxpayers." Among Kirsch's goals was making accommodations for population growth through modular classrooms, and not through rezoning ¬ a platform with which every candidate agreed. Kirsch also added that the board should consider block scheduling. Rounding out the list was integration of technology, more state aid and additional construction and repairs.

Goldstein offered a bleaker perspective on the state's standards, claiming that they will be difficult to achieve for many special education students and that they will also "hurt some students who are not going to pass the Regents but who would have passed the RCT." Therefore, he wishes to invest more in special education, introduce Latin to fifth graders and commence a phonics-based education system.

Slanover said that he'd like to involve parents and community members more in the education process and "encourage students to get involved in more after school activities." Joshi suggested lengthening the school year and investing more resources in children "lagging behind in the educational system."

Long-term experience serving on the board undoubtedly gave the incumbents an advantage at the debate, but Goldstein seemed to also make a positive impression, likely because of his educational background. Slanover, while at times abbreviated in response, appeared to be well-versed in some of the district's budgetary and academic statistics. Joshi's inexperience revealed itself, however, when he admitted that he never attended a school board meeting and that he was unfamiliar with the STARR program, which provides a tax break to senior citizens.

Know Your Candidates night, sponsored by the Syosset PTA and the League of Women Voters, ran smoothly, but there were some notable glitches. If a question was directed to a specific candidate, only he could respond, without fear of rebuttal. Furthermore, audience questions were not scrutinized beforehand, and so candidates were required to answer several repetitive or trivial queries.

On Election Day, May 19, voters may select any three out of the six school board candidates. The top three vote-getters will be elected.

Community: Woodbury.

Profession: Dentist.

Children in Syosset Public Schools: 3 current

Of Community Interest: Syosset Board of Ed trustee, 1995-present; Walt Whitman PTA president, 1993-95; Harry B. Thompson PTSA; Syosset High School PTSA, 1995-present; No Small Affair Charity, board of directors, 1990-present; Gates Ridge Civic Association, board of directors, treasurer, 1988-present; Mid Island Y JCC board of directors, 1994-95.

Community: Syosset

Profession: Office manager

Children in Syosset Public Schools: 4 graduates.

Of Community Interest: Syosset Board of Ed Trustee, 1992-present; Syosset Council of PTA's president, 1991-92; Syosset High School PTSA 2nd vice president; H.B. Thompson Middle School PTSA vice president; A.P. Willits Elementary School PTA president, 1974-76; Council Study Committee on School Reorganization chairperson, 1982; Syosset International board of trustees, 1983-84.

Community: Syosset

Profession: Attorney

Children in Syosset Public Schools: 3 current

Of Community Interest: Syosset Board of Ed trustee, 1993-98; organizer and member of JETS, a charitable organization for children, 1998; Syosset Council of PTA's, 1990-95; A.P. Willits PTA member, 1987-present; member Syosset High School PTSA, 1996-present; member Syosset Special Education PTSA, 1989-present.

Community: Syosset

Profession: Teacher

Children in Syosset Public Schools: 1 current, 1 graduate

Of Community Interest: NYC Summer School Computer Camp Coordinator for Special Education, 1993-98; United Federation Teacher Delegate, 1992; South Woods Middle School PTA member; member of North Syosset Civic Association.

Community: Syosset

Profession: Attorney

Children in Syosset Public Schools: 5 current

Of Community Interest: Briefed Congress members and their staffs on defense and technology issues in 1970s, Syosset Central School District Bond Advisory Committee, late 1980s; South Woods Middle School PTA; Village Elementary School PTA; Jericho Turnpike and Expressway construction activist, early 1990s and 1997.

Community: Syosset

Profession: Physician

Children in Syosset Public Schools: 1 current

Of Community Interest: South Woods Middle School PTA; Village Elementary School PTA member.