Zotto, O'Connor Discuss Hot topics at Candidate Night

Now, take a look at how incumbent Michael Zotto and his callenger Kevin O'Connor spoke on the same issues.

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We've compiled a chart to compare their views on various hot topics and issues in the community.

Michael Zotto Kevin O'Connor Years in West Islip 18 21 Education New York Police Academy B.A. Oneonta Areas of Expertise Law enforcement, security, drug prevention Business, management, investigation Children currently in the district 3 4 Community involvement Little League coach, drug awareness and prevention speaker Board member of WI Youth Football, member of youth services sub committee Special contribution to the community Regularly holds seminars for students and parents on drug awareness and prevention Started an Automated Defibrillator Program for youth sports in town What are your goals as a board of ed member? "We want to talk about reforming the state pension system to make it more self-sustaining. My taxes just like your taxes are going up. I don't want to cut programs. The programs are vital." "My primary goal is to save programming. We are facing very challenging economic times, but we have to keep our focus on the students. We need to look for more efficient ways to run our business, and that may include finding different efficiencies and renegotiating bargaining agreements." Are you happy with the proposed 2012/13 school budget? "I'm not thrilled with the budget. I think it's OK. I think maybe we could have done a little better., hindsight is 20/20. But I don't want to look back, I want to look forward." "I'm not sure happy is the right word. I'm satisfied that we did not pierce the cap. Some of the cuts that were made to bring the budget to the cap, particularly the dance program, I think were very painful." What are your feelings on the school closings? Would you have chosen two elementary schools? "I still to this day stand by my conviction in regards to the elementary schools. As far as enrollment and everything else that's happening, at the end of the day, I feel we made the right decision." "I do think this was one of the most painful and hard decisions any West Islip board has had to make. After giving it a great deal of thought I would have voted to close Oquenock, which my own kids go to, over Westbrook." Are there too many administrators in the district? "I don't think we are top-heavy anymore. Maybe down the road, we may have to look at that again, but right now I think we're exactly where we should be." "I don't think there's too much administration. If you asked me that question two years ago, I would have had a different answer. There has been over half a million dollars in [admin] cuts. I don't think we can sustain further cuts to administration."