Meet Robert Voyles, 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 Robert Voyles, a newcomer who’s running for the seat being vacated by Trustee Ray Doran. He’s also the youngest candidate in the race at 21 years old.

Here’s what Voyles had to say:

Qualifications/Experience: “I’m a lifelong resident of Lindenhurst, going through the District from kindergarten to my senior year of high school. My family’s lived here since 1963. I have a well-earned record of community service from being a Boy Scout my whole childhood and serving on the three top executive boards in the high school (Student Council, Class Council and National Honor Society). I have experience being on boards and working with others to make decisions for the betterment of the group, even founding my own organization while at my college, the University of Delaware. I’m continuing my schooling at Queens College for a Master of Science in Social Studies Adolescent Education, which helps me have a distinct advantage of insight in educational issues and policies.”

Reason for Running: “I want to give back to the community that gave me so much. Upon graduation from college and returning to Lindenhurst, I’ve spoken to residents, teachers and students. No one is really happy with how the District is. I saw this as my opportunity to use my knowledge to help my community in an area in which I plan to work in the future.”

What Sets You Apart: “I am a unique perspective for the Board. I’m the youngest candidate (by far), and think differently from others running. I’m a recent graduate from the District, a resident of the town and a future educator. I have insight on all sides of the issues, most importantly coming from my first-hand experience at the policies of the school board that no others can boast. I can assess situations with an objective mindset that wants only to increase the quality of education of all the students, and not focus on individual groups of students like others do. This is my generation, and I’m the one who has most recently been exposed to the rigors of college and the modern world and what’s required of these students to succeed.”

Most Important Issue Facing the District/How to Tackle It: “College preparation is the most vital part of schooling for children. I’ve observed my fair share of experiences where kids are not prepared for college. The school district needs to do a better job at informing students the basics of applying to college, as well as providing a good standard of learning that can be competitive with other districts in the nation. This can be done through either a specific elective or through seminars. The curriculum is something that I believe should be altered to better cater to the demands of post-high school life, having more emphasis on skills that are needed, as opposed to subject areas that are quickly becoming obsolete and irrelevant.”

Accomplishment in Life Most Proud of and Why: “On a personal note my greatest life accomplishment is living with diabetes for more than 12 years. Being diagnosed since I was nine years old, I’ve lived life longer having diabetes. The lifestyle changes, although difficult (especially for young children), has made me into a better and healthier person.”

Accomplishment in the Community Most Proud of and Why: “I’m most proud of the work that my Boy Scout Troop 60 has done for Lindenhurst. We’ve served our community on countless occasions working for its beautification and betterment through various projects. I was a part of this troop all of the years I was eligible until I aged out.”

How You’ve Given Back to the Community: “I was a Boy Scout of Troop 60 until I aged out, and we served our community on a constant basis. I’m very proud of all of the Eagles Scouts that our Troop has produced, in turn with their projects that helped benefit our town. While in high school the many organizations I was a part of helped the community through the different events and fundraisers we hosted and participated in. As an adult I’m always looking for ways to give back still, and running in this campaign is one way in which I can.”

How Will You Continue to Balance Preserving Program, Jobs and Reserves with the Reality of the Tax Cap and with How the Tax Rolls May Be Affected by Hurricane Sandy? How Would You Be Able to Provide Some Tax Relief Next Year?
“State aid is something that needs to remain consistent, and unfortunately it isn't. The State budget seems to pass with no deficit because the governor continues to cut funds for education, placing the burden on our local taxpayers for his administration’s curriculum demands. I’d fight the State tooth and nail non-stop, sending letters every day, calling every day, to get more funds. It’s little things like that, done collectively, that make a difference. Programs for the most part continue to be maintained, but there are things in the budget that I’d cut that have yet to be. With these cuts, primarily in administrative positions, the need for an increase in funds would be lessened, and the tax increase wouldn't have to be high.”

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?
“For the most part I’m pleased with the budget, and plan on voting ‘yes’ for it. I’m impressed with the low tax levy, seeing other districts have well over ours. Using the reserves was a wise decision because of Superstorm Sandy and the financial burden that was placed on many residents; however, I do believe less money could’ve been used from it because I would’ve cut the budget further. There are still, in my opinion, excess expenses that our residents pay for that aren't necessary for the betterment of the education of the children in this District.”

What's Your Take on the Continuing Contract Negotiations, Particularly with TAL? What Do You Think Needs to Be Done at This Point? Why?
“There needs to be a repeal of the Triborough Amendment of the Taylor Law. It discourages negotiations with the teachers. It’s very important that we reach agreements with contract negotiations to keep up with the progress of the times. Concessions need to be made on both sides. I’d say most importantly there needs to be a reassessment of the pension system in place for teachers since it makes up a large cost of the budget. The prompting of this question singles out teachers, but I say we pay more to administrators, so maybe it’s time they give back, as well. I want to work with everyone, but everyone can't win all of their demands. This District is about compromise between all parties to ensure that our children have the best education they can get. That’s done through a well-funded budget, ample programs addressing all academic needs and a highly qualified staff. Working out a contract with the teachers is crucial for this end goal.”

What’s Your Take on the New State Exams? For or Against? Why?
“The adoption of the Common Core curriculum isn’t good. I’m strongly against most forms of standardized testing because time and time again they always fail to accurately assess students. Students can't be held to some blanket standard across the country, let alone the State. People always emphasize the importance of individual talents and skills, and these new regulations are detrimental. Not every student will be at the same level in all subject areas. Curriculum should be based at a local level here in the District with minimal State interference. However, until there’s a vast majority support for these kinds of measures, Albany will continue to ignore what actually works and implement what they think will. What needs to happen is a grassroots campaign that coordinates with multiple areas in the State to disavow these new measures.”

What’s Your Take on Unfunded Mandates? What’s the Top Mandate You’d Like to Change? How So and Why? How Would You Work with the Rest of the Board to Get Legislators to Listen and Enact That/Those Change(s)?
“Unfunded mandates are an abomination. They are cruel to the states and communities that have to comply with them. It burdens local districts, like ours, with an increase in taxes or an unfortunate cut in necessary budget expenses. The biggest mandate I want to change is the Common Core. Standardized testing doesn't work, nor will it ever. Assessments need to be done at the most local level because that’s where it’s most efficient. Only our educators know what’s required for our students to succeed, not faceless bureaucrats in Albany or DC. As mentioned before, massive multi-district campaigns need to be waged to bring about real change. We can't fight this alone.”

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

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