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Two Copiague School Board members run unopposed; two seek third seat Two incumbent school board trustees in Copiague are running without opposition this year, while two candidates are seeking a third seat. Running unopposed are longtime school board members Everett Newman and Doris Fischer. Seeking the seat of Denise Mondelli who stepped down from her post are Michael Greb, a former school board member and Postmaster in Lindenhurst, and Darline Jackson, a local businesswoman who ran unsuccessfully for the board in 2006. Greb served as a school board member from 1995 to 2001. He left the board to spend more time with his children, who were active in sports. "I said at the time that if I could not do the job right, I wouldn't do it," he said in discussing that decision six years ago. But with both of his children graduating from Copiague High School, and doing well in college, Greb said it's time that he gets involved again. "I enjoyed my time on the board and I want to continue that work," he said. "I think that the group (of board members) work cohesively and get a lot accomplished and if I can help in that endeavor than that is what I want to do." His opponent is a resident of Copiague since 1969, and is a graduate of the district. She is active in the Susan Wiley Shared Decision Making team and was PTA president at the Middle School. When she ran last year, she said that she'd like to work to bring back some of the strong sense of community she felt growing up in Copiague. "I think that the board needs to pay more attention to community outreach, particularly since the families in this district represent many different cultures," she said last year. In addition, Jackson, a member of NACEC and NATA, said she believes that as a "person of color" she can bridge the divide that sometimes exists between the board and the community. Greb is active in Boy Scouts and the Copiague Youth League and Amity Harbor Civic Association. He said that if elected, he'd like to become involved with reviewing school district policies, an effort the board makes throughout the year. "It is important because things change and we need to make sure that we keep evaluating and updating them," said Grebs. Everett Newman, manager of Express Mail, Tri- Boro district for the U.S Post Office, has been a member of the board for 20 years and said he is excited about the coming year as the district plans new and expanded programs bolstered by $4 million more in state aid than last year. "Our Regents graduation rates are way up and our technology program is moving forward," said Newman, adding that one of the best things he's done on the board was to vote to hire Superintendent of Schools William Bolton. "He's brought a big change in the district," he said. "He's brought dynamic individuals to Copiague and has a great staff working together for the children of Copiague." Doris Fischer is seeking her third, three-year term. She said the district has been making great strides and wants to continue working with the rest of the board to do even more. "I want to make a difference and keep things going in the right direction," she said. She points out that almost 80 percent of Copiague's students graduate with a regents diploma, a marked increase over the past five years. "It is all about kids and doing the right things for children," she said of her philosophy as a board member. "You can't go into this with a personal agenda. You have to look at the big picture and do what is right for every child."
Fisher is an accounts payable representative for Sbarro Inc.
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