A vocal participant in meetings for many years, community activist Jim Gounaris on Tuesday announced his candidacy for the Herricks Board of Education seat being vacated by Village of Williston Park Mayor Paul Ehrbar
“I’ve talked a good game for 12 years at the school board. I’m running because I think it’s time for me to run,” Gounaris said. “I’m not the person who’ll run away from a fight.”
Gounaris said he feels it is time for him to take a more active role in the process.
In deciding to run, the Manhasset Hills resident will be challenging Jonai Singh, a co-president of the Herricks Council of PTAs who announced her candidacy last month.
Singh’s candidacy received a boost the day after Gounaris’ announcement when Ehrbar announced his endorsement of her. Singh is running for the seat with Herricks School Board president Christine Turner.
Gounaris said he thinks the district administration and the school board are doing a good job, but he sees a need for greater transparency in the system.
“I think we need to bring more of the issues out into the open so that people have a greater understanding of exactly what we face,” Gounaris said. “Although these are not easy times and simplistic issues, there are common sense solutions we can use to solve the problems.”
He also expressed respect for his opponent in the race.
“I’ve chosen to seek the seat vacated by Paul Ehrbar. I’m not running against Jonai Singh,” Gounaris said.
Gounaris has four children attending schools in the Herricks district and has been a member of the PTA Council and the Denton Avenue School PTA. He is currently a member of the Herricks Community Center Advisory Board.
He has also been an assistant coach in the Albertson/Herricks baseball league, an assistant coach for the New Hyde Park Wildcats Soccer Club and a den leader and co-sponsor of Cub Scout Pack 202.
Gounaris also serves as a trustee American Hellenic Educational Progressive Association’s Educational Foundation, which manages a $3 million fund for scholarships for students of Hellenic descent and also a board member of the Hellenic Neighborhood Action Committee Home Services Board, which manages a $60 million enterprise to provide home care services for New York City resident.
He also currently teaches eighth grade Sunday school at St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church in Flushing.
A native of Bayside, Queens, Gournaris said he moved to Herricks in 1999 and “immediately fell in love with the diverse community and its dedication to the American dream and the excellent school system.”
Gournaris said in his campaign announcement that he has begun a “listening tour and is eager to meet with as many community groups as possible to hear their concerns.”
Ehrbar recently announced his decision to not seek another term on the board because he said his duties as mayor of Williston Park make it difficult for him to attend all school board meetings.
In letter to editor sent to the Williston Times and the New Hyde Park Herald Courier, Ehrbar noted he encouraged Singh to run for his seat when he had decided to not run.
“Jonai Singh will bring an independent voice to the school district. She has proven her ability to be able to work with a number of people, in various capacities. She will bring a calming, intelligent voice to the Herricks Board of Education,” Ehrbar wrote.
Singh said she welcomed Gounaris’ entry into the race.
“I welcome his candidacy and look forward to a thoughtful discussion of the issues facing the Herricks school community over the next month,” said Singh, who has two daughters attending schools in the district.
Singh also expressed her appreciation for the support of Ehrbar and Turner in the race.
“I feel very honored to be endorsed by Christine Turner and Paul Ehrbar, two valued and distinguished members of our community. As I embark on this important journey, I am pleased to know that I can count on the support of current and former members of our Board of Education as we work towards the common goal of enriching the lives of our children and all members of our community,” Singh said.
