Three candidates to vie for two school board spots in Shoreham-Wading River
Three candidates will run for two available Shoreham-Wading River school board seats this year, school officials said Tuesday.
School board vice president Michael Fucito of Wading River is running for re-election, while Anthony DeLouise of Shoreham is running again for a board seat after running an unsuccessful first campaign during last year’s election.
Newcomer Robert Rose of Shoreham is campaigning for his first seat on the board. Mr. Rose was unable to be reached for comment.
Mr. Fucito, who has served 21 years on the board, said he would like to use state aid to help with maintenance and renovations to school facilities.
“We still have a lot of facilities to repair, that’s my major concern,” he said, citing roof problems and the planned work to replace district fuel tanks.
Mr. DeLouise, who owns a technology company and is an associate real estate broker, has lived in the district for six years. He said he would use his business skills to bring district spending under control, saying that the board “isn’t attacking expenses the way the current economy is requiring us to do.”
“It’s difficult but it has to start somewhere and I think it’ll benefit everyone in the long run,” he said.
Mr. DeLouise also opposes using state aid to fill gaps in the budget, arguing that short-term solutions only made the long-term picture worse. He said he would cut expenses without sacrificing students’ education.
The three candidates are vying for two open seats, one currently held by Mr. Fucito as well as board member Leo Greely’s seat. Mr. Fucito served on the board from 1978 to 1993, and from 2006 to the present. He was the school board president until current president William McGrath was elected by the board last year.
Mr. Greely has decided not to seek reelection, school officials said.
