Port Washington School Board candidate cites leadership skills

Sarah Minkewicz

Emily Beys said her leadership positions in parent organizations as well as the time she spent this past year talking to the residents of Port Washington provides the kind of perspective that would make her an effective school board trustee.

“I am able to offer the current parent population perspective on matters that are important to them, such as class size, PEP, testing and AP classes and I can empathize with the community at large the financial strain caused by growing costs,” Beys said. 

Beys, who is one of four candidates running for three of the Port Washington School Board seats on May 17, said she has served as Schreiber High School Home School Association co-president, Weber Middle School HSA co-president, Port Washington Parents’ Council co-president, Weber Middle School HSA vice president, Archangel Michael Greek Language Institute School Board co-president, and Archangel Michael Greek Language Institute PTA co-president. 

She also ran last year in an unsuccessful bid for Town Council, losing to Town Councilwoman Dina De Giorgio. 

“Now that both of my children have completed their education in the Port Washington schools and having spent most of my time volunteering with the parent organizations while they were in the schools, I feel can offer an objective opinion and voice on the school board,” Beys said. 

Beys said she believes one of the school district’s and the community’s biggest challenges are centered around unfunded mandates. 

“The school district must follow the law and at the same time serve and excel in serving the needs of its students,” she said. 

If elected, Beys said, one of her goals would be to find better ways to communicate and work with state officials to decrease state-mandated expenses and communicate more effectively with the entire community what these mandates are.

“Over the years, I have had numerous conversations with community members who have great ideas about eliminating programs or making changes that simply cannot take place because of the unfunded mandates,” she said. “And lastly, I would like to continue to look for creative ways to get our school district extra funding. There are things we cannot change, but that should not deter us from looking for new solutions.”

Beys along with parent Dave Sattinger filed a petition on April 18 to join school board President Karen Sloan and Trustee Christine Nadolne in the race.

The League of Women Voters of Port Washington-Manhasset (LWV) will host a Candidates Forum on Monday, May 2 at 8p.m. at Paul D. Shreiber High School.

For additional details about the forum, contact LWV Vice President and Candidates Forum Chair, Judy Jacobson, at judyhp@gmail.com or 516-627-0831.

Residents will vote for the 2016-17 budget and board seats on May 17 from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Share this Article