Two incumbents on the East Williston Board of Education and two from Herricks up for re-election in May will appear on the ballot unopposed.
Leonard Hirsch and Robert Fallarino are running unopposed in East Williston, while Brian Hassan and Nancy Feinstein are running unopposed in Herricks.
Hirsch, who grew up in East Williston and works as the chief financial officer of a New York investment fund, was first elected to the board in 2012. He had previously served on the district’s financial advisory committee.
“It’s been a very good experience. I think we’re in a pretty good place right now, and I have personally been able to bring some value to the board,” he said, noting his experience as an accountant.
He added that he is also a voracious reader and looks for any small way he can contribute to the school district while sifting through “all the data that comes my way.”
“I (always) think there’s more to do, more to learn — there may be one small thing the school may not have considered,” he said.
Fallarino, a medical malpractice attorney, will be seeking his third term on the board.
“I came on at a time where there was a lot of flux in the community and there were a lot of issues, and I think what I helped bring was a vision and stability,” said Fallarino, who has two sons still in the East Williston school system. “And now I want to do that for the future, and make sure the 2 percent cap doesn’t negatively affect the students.”
Hirsch said the current East Williston board members collaborate as an effective team.
“We work well together…. there’s been no drama whatsoever from what I’ve experienced,” he said. “It’s been excellent and I just want to keep moving forward in that direction.”
In Herricks, both Hassan and Feinstein won open seats in 2012 when two incumbents decided not to run.
Hassan, a longtime engineer with the Long Island Power Authority and National Grid, played an integral role in the district’s transition to gas heating six years ago. He also served as co-vice president of the Herricks Athletics Boosters.
Feinstein is a former co-president of the Denton School Parent Teacher Association, Herricks Council of PTAs and Herricks Middle School PTA.
Reach reporter James Galloway by e-mail at jgalloway@theislandnow.com or by phone at 516.307.1045 x204. Also follow us on Twitter @theislandnow and Facebook at facebook.com/theislandnow.
