Hewlett-Woodmere School Board Candidate: Harold Kislik

Patch sent the same questionnaire to all candidates running for school board this year. The following response — which has not been edited by Patch — is from incumbent Harold Kislik, who is seeking another term on the Hewlett-Woodmere Board of Education in an at large election.

Tell us about yourself (age, town, profession, family, etc.)

I was raised in Hewlett, and have lived in the district for 37 years. I am a 1974 graduate of G.W. Hewlett High School, and a graduate of Williams College. I am married and have two children – one who graduated from G.W Hewlett H.S. in 2006 and one who is currently in ninth grade at Hewlett High School.

What qualifies you to serve as a member of the school board?

I have served for nine years on the H.W.P.S. Board of Education. Prior to that, I had 17 years’ experience in retailing at Macy’s and Bed Bath & Beyond, which included extensive financial control and business planning responsibilities. I have held positions of community leadership as president and trustee on the Board of Directors of the Five Towns Early Learning Center in Inwood, and also as president and board member of the Hewlett-East Rockaway Jewish Centre.

I am able to communicate effectively and to analyze complex issues — to get to the crux of an issue, to distill its critical aspects, and to clarify it in order to make the most intelligent and appropriate decision.

Why are you running for the school board?

I passionately care about this school district, where I was educated, that did so much for me as a youth and for my children currently. While having four new first-term members on the board is a great asset — and next year we are guaranteed at least a fifth additional new member — it is also important to retain the level of experience that I have as one of only two longer-term members. At the same time, I will develop and embrace new ideas and approaches to constantly improve our schools.

What is your opinion of the budget that has been presented to the community? What you have done something differently with it?

The board of education has adopted a proposed budget for the 2013-2014 school year, to be offered to the voters on May 21, that maintains our breadth of offerings and class sizes. In future years, I would like to find additional ways to keep salary and benefit increases in check, as well as develop new efficiencies that will enable us to retain the quality and breadth of our programs and curriculum.

Aside from the budget, what do you think is the biggest issue facing the school district?

Maintaining high quality standards and educational programs in the face of rapidly rising unfunded mandates and expenses imposed by New York State (such as retirement contributions) coupled with the tax levy cap. Our long-term strategy entails judicious use of diminishing reserves and expense reductions targeted to have the least negative impact possible. This will allow us to continue to provide the level of educational services our children deserve and avoid the severe cuts faced by many districts across the state.

What is the school district’s greatest strength?

1. The wide breadth of courses, activities, arts, and athletics that give all of our kids extensive and high-quality opportunities to learn and grow into successful and productive adults.
2. Our culture of learning, the commitment of parents, and the caring community of teachers, administrators, staff and families.

What is its greatest weakness?

We need to continue to improve the communications between H.W.P.S. and all the stakeholders of the district — parents, students, teachers, seniors, taxpayers, etc. For example, we should discuss any plans for possible changes in programs as early as possible with all who might be affected by them. Our goal should be to significantly increase the ability of the public to be well informed about the initiatives and issues concerning our schools and our community.

If you are elected, what is the one thing you’d like to see accomplished during your term?

I would like to see the level and quality of communications raised to the point that every student feels well-informed about the decisions and directions of the district; that all residents feel that their voice and concerns are heard and considered; that all parents have an opportunity to participate in helping to set the path our future takes; and that every teacher, administrator and staff member feels appreciated and is a partner in helping to reach our goals.

Where do you see public education on Long Island going in the future and what role do you hope to have in it?

I am extremely concerned that our state and federal agencies and legislators have undertaken strategies and policies that are pushing us to a model of forced consolidation of school districts and loss of local control. This will have a devastating effect on the quality of learning and breadth of offerings we are be able to provide. The inevitable “one size fits all” approach that would be imposed upon us (and to some extent already is) would mean the loss of so much of what makes our school district thrive, including class size, course offerings, special education services, etc. As a board member, I will fight to keep our ability to set our own direction — one that, as a district and a community, is in our best interests.

Would you like to add anything else?

I am dedicated to improving how we function as a school district. I am a consensus builder; I look forward to honestly and openly considering and exploring all issues without the interference of any preconceived notions.