Long Beach’s school board candidates, incumbents Dr. Dennis Ryan and Patrick Gallagher and challenger Ari Pine, seek election at a time when issues from spending cuts to teacher tenure and salary caps dominate national news headlines, and when locally the district is filling key positions, in superintendent, principals and directors, and is undergoing major reconstruction projects at its buildings.
During their campaigns, Gallagher, who seeks his fourth three-year term on the board, and Ryan, who is bidding for a second term, highlighted the district’s proposed 2011-12 budget as an example of fiscal responsibility that they want to continue.
“I think fiscally we’ve done our homework this year,” said Ryan, who worked in the district for 27 years as a school psychologist, athletic director and director of pupil services. “We’ve made efforts to look at budgets over a long-term sequence, so next year we hope to be in good shape as well.”
The budget totals $118.6 million, representing a 1.8 percent hike, or $2.1 million increase from the current spending plan, and a 0 percent increase to the tax levy, the amount of money raised by taxes. The increase reflects interest payments on a $98 million bond the community approved in 2002 to upgrade schools and facilities. The larger percentage increases come from state mandates, including teachers’ retirement and health and unemployment insurance.
While Ryan holds instruction as his top priority, Gallagher calls for forming a demographic committee by next fall.
“We need to have a complete study done and I propose that the committee report back to the board of education in a six to one year time,” said Gallagher, who worked in Seaford School district for 33 years before retiring as the high school principal in 2001. “We are going to face a decision on the elementary schools within approximately two to three years … when construction on facilities is completed.”
Pine, a commodities trader with two children who attend Lindell School, decided to run after he attended a school board meeting in April, when he said he found residents had difficulty getting information about curriculum and finances from administration. His focus is on the district’s implementation of a sixth-grade heterogeneous program that includes classes with students of varying skill levels. He believes it must be reevaluated so that minimum standards are raised and all students can live up to their expectations.
“My biggest interest is that quality education is being fixed,” Pine said. “And that’s really my goal and that’s why I’m here. And that’s what I’m going to see happen.”
On Tuesday, the top two vote-getters will win a three-year term on the board. Check here for polling places.
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