The Great Neck community needs to openly acknowledge what happened during this recent election for the school budget and school board trustees.
If we don’t, we are in danger of turning a diverse and welcoming community that has an excellent school district, that is widely supported and the reason most families move here, into a community divided by ethnic background, race and religion.
The Great Neck community has never given any evidence that it would not vote for a qualified board of education trustee of any race, ethnicity or religion.
The community’s demographics have always been in flux as different groups have moved here to benefit from our outstanding educational programs. To vote against someone because of his/her ethnic background, race or religion would be an anathema to a great majority of Great Neck residents., and rightly so.
However, it is equally wrong to vote for a candidate for Trustee because of his ethnicity. Notwithstanding his claims to the contrary, Dr. Huang clearly attempted to appeal to a limited ethnic audience. He demonstrated little knowledge of how our educational system and school district operate.
The school system we have did not become excellent by accident. More importantly, it will not remain excellent without the constant hard work of people who care about all children and are willing to put in the time and effort to demonstrate this to their fellow citizens before they ask for their vote.
In turn, citizens have to care enough to use meaningful criteria when choosing a candidate to vote for.
A person of any background can demonstrate the qualities that a trustee needs and be elected by voters. Because school board trustees do not represent any one group, they are the representatives serving all of our children.
This is not a platitude; it is, and has been for a very long time, a reality. To change that now would be a truly grave mistake that would benefit no one, least of all our children.
Candidates who can truly serve our children and our community as board trustees must earn the trust of Great Neck voters through prior school-related service. They will have demonstrated leadership capabilities and show respect for all people and diverse viewpoints, while working in their child’s school and on district committees.
They will have a real understanding of the myriad issues facing our schools today and not be running on only one issue (personally relevant to them). They will show an understanding of the breadth and depth of the trustees’ work and responsibilities, and show a sincere willingness to learn more. They will offer clear and detailed positions and concrete plans for any changes they propose for the district and strong evidence to show the need. They will be honest in their claims and statements about the schools, the budget and their opponents.
Anyone can gather the small number of signatures needed to run for trustee. We have seen that a targeted campaign can get out a vote for a candidate that has yet to demonstrate a single worthwhile criteria for being a trustee.
In a democracy, it has been said we get the leadership we deserve. If Great Neck wishes to keep its excellent and well-financed school system, particularly in these times of pressure from the state and federal governments, more Great Neck residents must get involved, prove themselves, and be ready to come forward as they are needed.
Those who cannot take such an active role must educate themselves enough so that they can make informed choices when voting. How wonderful it would be if sometime in the future, there were a surfeit of well-qualified candidates, ready, willing and able to work the endless hours needed in order to be an exemplary Great Neck Board of Education trustee, representing the needs of our diverse community and all of its children.
Lawrence Gross
Great Neck
