Meet Robert Vitiello, BOE 2013 Candidate

On May 21 Lindenhurst residents will not only cast their votes for or against the $145.7 million 2013-14 school budget - which includes a 1.99 percent tax levy, the use $1.1 million in reserves and the removal of 66-plus aides - the Board of Education approved on April 25, but they'll also be casting their votes in the BOE Trustee Election that day.

There are eight candidates this year - three of whom are incumbents with one incumbent running unopposed, two newcomers running against the remaining two incumbents and three running for a seat being vacated by an incumbent.

They met the public at the Meet the Candidates portion of the recent Lindenhurst Council of PTAs meeting and 2013-14 budget presentation by Superintendent Richard Nathan.

However, in an effort to keep voters informed, Lindenhurst Patch is presenting profiles of each candidate - in no particular order, using the same topics - in the days leading up to BOE Election and Budget Vote next Tuesday, May 21.

This BOE Candidate Profile focuses on incumbent Robert Vitiello, who’s running for reelection unopposed.

Here’s what Vitiello had to say:

Qualifications/Experience: “I've lived in Lindenhurst since 1983. Married to Robin for 30 years and have two beautiful daughters who’ve graduated high school. I’ve been on the board for 12 years. I have a construction and business background. I’m fiscally sound, to make sure our kids get the best education possible.”

Reason for Running: “I was asked by my fellow Board members to run again. We have a few bargaining units that need contracts that need to be settled. I have some goals that I still need to accomplish. I’ve been on the board for 12 years, first elected in 2001.”

What Sets You Apart: “My experience dealing with educational issues. I’m fiscally sound. I have negotiation experience, and we still need to settle several contracts. We need to make sure that the contracts we settle don’t hurt the taxpayers.”

Most Important Issue Facing the District/How to Tackle It: “Settling the teachers’ contract. We’ve been in negotiations for a few years now.”

Accomplishment in Life Most Proud of and Why: “Providing my wife and kids with the best possible life. My kids have grown up to be two beautiful girls.”

How You’ve Given Back to the Community:“I’ve been a volunteer since 1994,and I enjoy helping my community.”

What's Your Take on the 2013-14 Budget, the Use of Reserves, the Tax Levy and the Upcoming Budget Vote? If You Were on the Board, What, If Anything, Would You’ve Done Differently Prior to Adoption and Why?
“This is the best budget I've worked on in years. The large use of the reserves was used this year due to Hurricane Sandy.”

What's Your Take on the Continuing Contract Negotiations, Particularly with TAL? What Do You Think Needs to Be Done at This Point? Why?
“No comment at this time.”

What’s Your Take on the New State Exams? For or Against? Why?
“I’m not in favor of the new State exam. When the State says we know that 50 percent of kids are going to fail, what would you want to waste taxpayers’ money for every few years to come up with different ways to test our kids? It’s not just Board members to try to change the legislators; concerned taxpayers need to let Albany know how they feel.”

Editor’s Note: Each candidate was given the same questions, though some didn’t appear here because of a choice by the candidate to not answer some.

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